The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-16

satlrical writer she had no rival OF
either sex at Springfield and few, we
venture to say. anywhere else. But
that is a dangerous talent. The temp
tatfons to use It unfairly are numerous
and strong. 1t lntilcts SO much pain
and almost necessarily so much injus.
tice upon those against whom 1t is di.
rected that Its possessor rareiy. IL ever,
escapes from a controversy without
suffering from the desperation il pro-
Yokes. Mary Todd was not disposed
to let her genius rust for want OF use,
and. finding no other victim handy, she
turned her attention to james Shields.
auditor. flames Shields later had a
distinguished and remarkable career.
He volunteered in the Mexican war.
became n brigadier general and for gal
lantry ut Cerro Gordo RAJ breyetted
major general. At both Cerro Gordo
and Chapultepec he was severely
wounded. President Polk appointed
him the first territorial governor of
Oregon, but before he started for that;
territory The was elected United States
senator from Illinois. Later he served
in the senate from Minnesota by cleo
ton and from Missouri by appoint
ment, thus representing three states in
that body. Shields was operating n
mine In Mexico when the civil war be-
gan. He went to washington in Au-
gust. 1861. and was appointed u brlga-
der general by President Lincoln, his
old opponent. General Shields defeat
ed Stonewall Jackson at Winchester,
Va, but was defeated by the Confed-
crate lender n few months later ut Port
Republic. He died June 1. 1870. at OF
tumwa. Ia.-Editor.] She had a friend,
n Miss Jayne. afterward Mrs. Trum-
bull. who helped to keep her literary
secrets and assisted as much as she
could in worrying the choleric Irish
man. Mr.. Francis, the editor. knew
very well that Shields was "a fighting
man." but the pieces" sent him by
the wicked ladies were so uncommonly
rich in point and humor that he yield
ed to a natural inclination and printed
them one and all. the articles purport-
Ing to be letters from aunt 'Becca."
1t Is by no means a subject OF won
der that these publications threw Mr..
james shields into a state Of wrath. A
thin skinned, sensitive. high minded
and high tempered man. tender Of his
honor. and an Irishman besides. 1t
would have been strange indeed IL he
lad not felt like snutfing blood. But
his rage only afforded new delights to
his tormcntors. and when It reached Its
height Aunt 'Becca transformed her
tclf to Cath1een and broke out In
rhymes. which Miss Jayne's brother
Bill kindly consented to drop" for the
amiable ladies.
II was too bad. Mr.. Shields could
stand 1t no longer. He sent General
Whiteside to Mr.. Francis to demand
the name Of the person who wrote the
letters from the "Lost Townships"
and Mr.. Francis told him 1t was A.
Lincoln. This Information led to a
challenge. u sudden scampering OF OF
parties and friends to Missouri, a meet
Ing, an explanation and a peaceful re-
turn.
Abraham Lincoln in the field of hon.
Or, sword in hand. unanswered by a
second learned in the duello, would be
an attractive spectacle under any cir
cumstanccs, but with a celebrated man
for an antagonist and a lady's humor
the occasion the scene Is one Of tran
scendent interest, and the documents
which describe II nre well entitled to a
place in his history. The letter of Mr..
Shields second, being first In date. is
frst in order:
Springfield. oct. 3. ISIS.
To the Editor Of. the sangamon Journals:
Sir-To prevent MISREPRESENTATION OF the
recent AFFAIR between Messrs. Shields and
Lincoln. I think Il proper to give n brief
narrative of the facts OF the case rs they
came within my knowledge, for b eAtruth
OF which I hold myself responsible, and
request you TO give the same publication.
An Offensive article In relation TO M.
Shields appeared In the sangafnon Jour
nal Of the q September last. md on de-
manding the author Mr.. Lincoln was Civ
m up by the editor. Mr.. Shields previous
to this demand made arrangements 10 20
to Quincy on public business. and befors