The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1912-12-11
DUKE OF
MARLBOROUGH

military genius. 1t would be hard to
say which of these three qualities did
most for him.
John Churchill-"Handsom Jack"
as he was nicknamed-came of an old,
impoverished family. He was born
in 1850, had almost no early education
and became a page to the duke of York.
(afterward James IL. Charles H., the
duke of York's brother, was king of
England and ruled a dissolute court,
where wit and beauty brought far
higher rewards than did mere merit.
He soon worked his way into the
duke of Yorks favor and received
from him a commission in the army.
AS a soldier he showed both valor and
martial skill But it is doubtful ii
he would have risen as rapidly as he
did were it not for the very shady
means he employed for his own add
vancement His good looks and his
INSCRIPTIONS conduct brought him
money and swift promotion. He
strengthened his position by marrying
Sarah Jennings, woman much of
his own sort, and even more ambi-
tious.
James II. came to the throne in
1885, and his favorite courtier,
Churchill, was made a general and
baron. Handsome Jack" owed every"
thing to James Yet, when the latter
was attacked by William Prince Of Or
ange who claimed the English crown.
Churchill quickly saw that William
would be the victor, and decided to
throw his fortunes with him. So.
when James Churchill calmly went
over to the enemy and took the army
with him, James deserted, fed to
France and the Prince of Orange be-
came king William Ill of England.
Churchill gained new honors by this
bit of treachery.
Williams reign was not wholly pop
ular. 1t looked at one time as IL
James might possibly regain his lost
crown Churchill. in order to make
certain Of being on the winning side.
served with William openly and kept
up a secret correspondence with
James. William learned of this and
mad Churchill thrown into prison For
a less lucky, less shifty man. this ex-
posure to treason would have meant
political ruin. But Churchill man
aged to secure his freedom and even
10 win back some of his besmirched
reputation
William died chudless, and at his
death the English crown went to
JAMES youngest daughter Anne.
Churchill mad foreaeen tbls. and had
MADE mis- plans accordingly He had
man. -ed 10 INSTALL his clever wife as
Auues chief lady-.u-Waiting and TO
win for himself the new queens trust
and admiration AnDe-stupid weak,
goou uarnred was the willing and
meek slave of the tmperious Lady
Churchill. obeying her every wish,
heapiug bonors on her tricky hus-
band. ever enricbing the couple.
Churchill was made commander-in-
chief Of EngIand's forces in the con-
tinental war Here he showed bril-
liant genius. He won battle after bat
tie campaign after campaign; amaz-
ing the world with his military skill.
He also gained himself a name for
humanity. during these wars, In spite
OF the fact that he burned more than
300 towns, villages and castles in
Germany alone.
Flushed with triumph, he came back
/ to England. Foreign governments
/ granted him high honors. Queen Anne
made him duke Of Marlborough and
| lavished priceless gifts on him.
/ Among other presents from her he re-
/ ceived the huge estate of "Blenheim"
/ (named for one Of his victories), and
a castle was built there for him at
/ royal expense
For years he and his wife practt
cally ruled England, through the
weak old queen. But for the duchess
/ Of Marlborough's bad temper they
| might perhaps have continued 80 un
til the end. But the duchess at last,
/ IN I'LL, lost her temper once too often
with the patient Anne. She Is even
rumored to have slapped her majes-
! tvs face. There was terrible scene.
and the Marlboroughs fell into dis
grace. The duke was stripped Of his
Offices and found it Convenient to
leave England.
Later, in George is reign, he was
I partially restored to power. But his
old greatness was gone He was no
longer fully trusted. Life turned Bit
ter to him. His only son was dead.
A stroke Of apoplexy thickened his
speech and made him feeble. Hand
some Jack" was an old, old man:
broken and a wreck of his former
self. He died in 1922 IN his seventy
third year.