Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-16

United States senate. He therefore
enjoyed the unique distinction of being
| a United States senator from three
different states-an honor, which no
other man has ever received When
to this is added the fact that he was
the hero Of two wars and jurist of
ability, there is presented combina-
ton of wonderful merit in one person.
There have been no doubt greater gen
erals, greater statesmen and greater
iurists than Shields but he stands
alone as the triple crowned hero Of
most distinguished honors.
The Lincoln Episode.
An incident in the life Of Shields
is worth noticing for the reason that
some modern writer's have undertaken
to dress it in a garb which it is not
entitled to wear. 1t relates to pro-
posed duel between him and Abraham
Lincoln. When Shields was auditor
Of state anonymous letters were pub
lished rejecting upon him and casting
ridicule on his nationality; he de.
manded of the publisher of the paper
the name of the author, whereupon
Lincoln claimed to have written them.
Shields then challenged him to NOR
tai combat and being the challenged
party Lincoln had the choice of weap-
ons. He chose broad swords which 1t
was supposed, would give him great
| advantage as he was man feet
inches, with long powerful arms, while
Shields was but feet 8 inches. Shields
was not a bit dismayed at this-in-
deed he knew not fear-besides he
was good fencer and his friends were
confident that his deXterity would
| overcome all the advantage his antag-
onist would have in size and strength.
The parties proceeded to the place Sc
lected for the duel but after they az
rived, friends effected reconciliation
between them. Lincoln made due apol-
ogy and they were ever afterward
these great men took any pride in this
incident of their early lives and they
would have been glad If it could have
been blotted out of existence. l 10
not believe, however, that Lincoln, if
living, would approve Of the colour
which some of his biographers have
undertaken to give to this episode In
his life. In an effort to palliate this
affair they have undertaken to treat
it as though it was only a farce and
claim for Lincoln that he had no in
tention Of shedding blood. All the
facts and circumstances however con-
clusively show that Lincoln as well rs
Shields, looked upon it in different
light. With them it was expected to
become a tragic act.
Dies in Ottumwa.
This city was honored with the pres
ence of General Shields during the
last days OF his life. He came here
on the 28th day of May, 1879 and de-
livered lecture, after which he re.
manned visiting with his beloved niece
Mary Shields, who was then residing
with the Sisters of the Humility Of
Mary Here he was taken sick and
expired at the convent on the first day
of June, and his remains were then
taken to Carrollton, Mo-, and inferred
in the Catholic cemetery, where they
now repose. Thus lived and died one
of the great characters on the stage
Of public action-both in beace and
in war. He died poor in the goods of
| this world-but he left to his family
and posterity name rich not only In
deeds Of heroism and valor, but in the
| character Of an upright and honest
man.