The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-11-12
MEMORIAL 70 GEN.
SHIELDS
Four States Join in Tribute
to Soldier and
Statesman.

Carrollton, Mo-, Nov. 12.-Four
states Joined in paying tribute here
today to the memory Of Gen. James
Shields, when the monument erected
by the federal government to mark
the grave of the noted soldier and
statesman in st. Mary's cemetery
was unveiled with impressive cere-
monies.
The states represented by their
governors, or by distinguished cltl-
zens appointed to represent them,
were Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri
and Oregon. In the corse of his long
and varied career Gen. Shields rep
resented in the United States senate
at diffrent times the states of Illinois,
Minnesota and Missouri. Oregon's
interest in the famous soldier arises
from the fact that he served as gov
ernor of Orgon territory.
The unwilling was made the oc-
casion of an imposing ceremony. A
parade of United States troops and
soldiers of the Missouri Guard pre-
ceded the unwilling exercises.
An immense crowd witnessed the
unwilling of the memorial. Cover
nor Hadley, Congressman Rucker
and other speakers of national prom
inence eulogized the life ana achieve
nents of General Shields, both as a
soldier in the Florida, Mexican and
civil wars and as one of the fore
most members of the senate of the
United States.
Especial interest was given the oc-
casion by the presence of the widow
of Gen. Shields and her son, DR..
Daniel Shields, of New York City.
General James Shields, whose
memory was so signally honored to-
day, was one of the most romantic
characters in American history.
Born in Ireland just one hundred
years ago, he emigrated to the Unit
ed States in early youth and located
in Illinois. where h estudieG law and
was admitted to the bar. He was
sent to the legislature in 1886 and
elected state auditor in 1889. Sub
sequently he served on the state su
preme bench and as commissioner of
the general land office.
When the war with Mexico began
he was appointed brigadier general
and was assigned to the command Of
the Illinois regiments. He served
with distinction in that war, At Ger
70 Gordo he gained the breyet of ma
jor general, and was shot through
the lung. After his recovery he took
part in the operations in the valley
of Mexico, commanding brigade
composed of marines and New York
and South Carolina volunteers.
General Shields as mustered out
Of service in 1848 and the same year
received the appointment of governor
of Oregon territory. This Office he
resigned on being elected United
States senator from Illinois. After
wards h eremoved to Minnesota and
was elected United States senator
fro mthat state. California lurei him
and he went to the coast at the end
Of his second term as senator. He
was in the far west whe nthe ru-
mors of the civil ar began to rach
him. He hurried to Washington and
offered his services to his country.
He was appointed brigadier general
and assigned to the command Of the
Army of West Virginia He was in
number of the bloodiest battles,
and is credited with being the only
man who ever repulsed Stonewall
Jackson.
At the close of his military career
General Shields took Up his home in
Missouri. In 1879 he was chosen to
fill out the unexpired term of United
SIolSo SVhctOl L. bOSy. 1iC lOOh
his seat in the senate for the third
and last time in what proved to be
the last year Of his life. While en-
gagged on a lecture trip ewas taken
i'll and died at Ottumwa, Iowa, June
1, 1879. His remains were brought
back to Carrollton and buried in the
cemtery not far from the old Shields
homestead here.
The memorial unveile dtoday as
erected with an appropriation made
by the federal government. The
monument was designed by Jerome
Conner of Washington. 1t is of
white marble, nine feet high and sur
mounted by bronze bust of the OLD
warrior and statesman. A copy of
the bust has been presented by the
sculptor to this county and has been
placed in the courthouse. On the
four sides of the marble base of the
monument appear the coats of arms