Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1907-04-25

satirical writer she had no rival Of
venture to say, anywhere else But
that Is dangerous talent. The temp
tations to use it unfairly are numerous
and strong. 1t inf1icts so much pain
and almost necessarily so much injus-
tce upon those against whom it Is di-
rected that its possessOr rarely. if ever.
escapes from a controversy without
suffering from the desperat ton it pro-
vokes. 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
distinguished and remarkable career.
He. volunteered in the Mexican war
became a brigadier general and for gal
lantry at Cerro Gordo was brevetted
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 he 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
mine in Mexico when the civil war be-
gan. He went to Washington in Au-
gust, 1861, and was appointed briga-
der general by President Lincoln. his
nj
ed Stonewall Jackson at Winchester
Va, but was defeated by the Confed-
crate leader a few months later at Port
Republic. He died June 1. 1879. at Of
tumwa. Ia.-Edtor.] She had friend.
one Miss Jayne. afterward Mrs. Trum-
bull, who helped to keep her literary
secrets and assisted as much as she
man. Mr.. Francis. the editor. knew
very we'll 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 natural inclination and printed
them one and all, the articles purport-
ing to be letters from "Aunt 'Becca''
s It is by no means subject of won
der that these publications threw Mr..
James Shields into state of wrath. A
thin skinned. sensitive, high minded
and high tempered man. tender Of his
honor. and an Irishman besides. it
would have been strange indeed if he
had not felt like snufing blood. But
his rage only afforded new delights to
his tormentors, and when it reached it's
height Aunt Becca transformed her
self to Cathleen and broke out in
rhymes. which Miss Jayne's brother
Bill kindly consented to drop for the
amiable ladies.
1t was too bad Mr.. Shields could
stand it 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 it was A.
Lincoln. This information led to a
challenge, sudden scampering off Of
parties and friends to Missouri, meet
ing, an explanation and a peaceful re
turn. s
M Abraham Lincoln in the field Of hon
Or, sword in hand, maneuyered by a
second learned In the duello, would be
an attractive spectacle under any cir
cumstances, but with celebrated man
for an antagonist and lady's humor
the occasion the scene 10 one Of tran
scendent interest, and the documents
which describe it are well entitled to a
place in his history. The letter Of Mr..
Shields second. being first IN date, Is
drst In order:
~ Springfield, Oct. 8. 18lz
To the Editor Of the G4ngamon journal: HI
s6ir-To prevent MISREPRESENTATION Of the
1scsnta affair between MessFs. Shields and