Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1907-03-26

satirical writer she had no rival CT
either sex at Springfield and few, we
venture to say, anywhere else. But
that is a dangerous talent. The temp
tations to use it unfairly are numerous
and strong. 1t inficts so much pain
aud almost necessarily so much injus
tice upon those against whom it is di-
rected that it's possessor rarely, if ever.
escapes from a controversy without
suffering from the desperation 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. [James 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
tion 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 An
gust. 1861. and was appointed briga-
dier general by President Lincoln. his
old opponent. General Shields defeat
1I
Va. but was defeated by the Confed-
crate leader few months later at Port
Republic. He died June 1. 1879. at OF
tumwa. Ia.-Editor.] She had friend.
one 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 ga 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 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 snufhng blood. But
his rage only afforded new delights to
his tormentors, and when 1t reached its
height Aunt 'Becca transformed her.
self to CathIeen and broke out in
rhymes. which Miss Jayne's brother
Bill, kindly consented to drop" for the
aHaiable ladies.
1t 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 Er. Francis told him it was 4.
Linesln. This information led to
challenge, a sudden scampering off 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, maneuvered by
second learned in the duello, would be
an attractive spectacle under any cir
cumstances, but with a celebrated man
for an antagonist and lady's humor
the occasion the scene Is one Of tran
scendent interest, and the documents
which describe it are well entitled to
place in his history. The letter of Mr..
Shields second. being first in date, Is
first in order:
Springfield. Oct. 3. 1S42.
To the Editor Of the Sangamon Journal:
Sir-To prevent misrepresentation Of the
recent affair between Messrs. Shields and
Lincoln. think it proper to give a brief
narrative OF the facts Of the case as they
came within rnx knazzaAA~- Coz skA truth