Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
Under Government Auspices.


The unwilling ceremonies were under
the auspices of the United States gov
ernment the Commercial Club of Car
ro,lton. Mo-, the Grand Army of the Re-
public of Missouri and Kansas and the
Irish societies of Minnesota, Illinois and
Missouri
The monument was designed by Jerome
Conner, young sculptor OF irish plrtn'
wo has a studio in this city. Where ne
has resided for some years. Ihe CONTRACT
was awarded Mr. Conner by the Secretary
of War Mr. Conner is member OF the
Ancient Order of Hibernians and native
of County Kerry, Ireland. He came TO
America at an early age aho autend ,.sl
school in Massachusetts,. He studied MS
profession mostly in America. but Travelled
abroad extensively, and has acquired art
istic ability of a high order. HIS bust OF
Cen Shields has been pronounced q SUI
perb piece of modelling by many OF his
brother artists. and is the first work IN
sculpture to be approved by the natlonal
commission of fine arts created by the
last Congress- the members OF winch were
selected by President Taft.
The monument is of white marble, nine
feet high and is surmounted by bronze
bust of the distinguished old warrior and
statesman. The bust is four Feet SIX
inches high by two feet ten inches across
the shoulders and army officers who re-
member Cen Shields pronounce 1T true
likeness of the intrepid Irish soldier. who
both by his bravery and his craftsmanship
rendered conspicuous and important serv-
Ice to the land of his adoption.
Tablet on Pedestal.
The polished pedestal. ten feet high.
bears the insignia Of the United States
inscription
Gen. James Shields,
Born in County Tyrone, Ireland.
May 10, 1910,
Died in Ottumwa, Iowa, June I. 1870.
On each side of the die are carved the
names of the principal battles In which
Gen Shields took part in the Mexican
and civil wars and on the back Is
bronze tablet containing the seals OF the
states which he represented In the United
States Senate.
Gen. Shields was born in 1910 In Dun-
cannon. County Tyrone, Ireland, and
came to America in 1926. Even at that
date he was considered an expert swords
man and athlete. He first gained prom
inence in the war with the Seminole In
dams in the Florida everglades. when he
volunteered and became a member of a
punitive expedition against the red men.
During this campaign he received his
first commission an army officer and
was made a lieutenant. He served with
distinction. was twice wounded. and upon
the mai SURRENDER OIL the lnQlduS sought
a new outlet for his energies.
He was next heard from in the new
state of Illinois. where his rise was rapid.
He and Lincoln were both members of
the general assembly Of Illinois In 1885,.
Those were days Of exciting party feel
ing in the new state Of the then west. In
1910 he was elected state auditor Of Illi-
nois and was reelected without opposi-
ton.
Left Him for Dead.
Probably 1t was his career in the Mex
lean war that brought him the greatest
renown for he was with Gen Taylor
when that redoubtable old warrior burst
| through the lines of the Mexicans at
| Monterey and Buena Vista 1t was dur
ing a gallant charge on the Santa Anna
| troopers that Shields was struck in the
| right breast by a grapeshot. and his
| fellow Officers gathered around him and
| babe him an affectionate farewell. When
| they left him they thought he was dead.
| But the indomitable will and Irish spirit
of the young soldier was unyielding. A
| French surgeon captured with the Mex
| lean troops asked to treat the injured
Shields. Twinthg silk handkerchief
around raznrod: he drew it through the
gaping wound. cleansing 1t, after which
the wound was dressed. Shields recov-
cred and was soon again at the head of
| his troops.
| Later he was again wounded in the arm,
| but refused to allow the wound to keep
| him from taking part in the final battles
Of the campaign, and was one of the
first to climb the heights of old Chapul-
tepec and finally drive the legions of
Santa Anna within the city's gates. On
| the day Of the formal entry Of the Amer
| lean troops into the city he rushed the
gates and planted the flag in advance of
Gen. Quitman, who had been selected for
| the honor.
Upon his return to Illinois he served
as senator from that state from 1S4S to
1854 In the Senate those days he met
and mingled with Webster. Clay, Calhoun
and others of the great men of ante
1 bellum days. At the expiration of his
senatorial term he was made territorial
governor of Oregon. a great region that
was then coming into prominence
Came to the Senate.
| The uanderl,1st took him lafa into