The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-01-05
WORTHY OF STATUE
Edward D. Baker, Says Mr.. Gull
lom, Should Have Monument.
He ASKS CONGRESS FOR ONE
Extraordinary Career Of the Statesman
ane Soldier Who Raised Regiment
OF Ex.Goid-ssekers and Was
Killed at Balls BLUR.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

~ G@SNhS~ @hAhN SfNA
Washington. - Senator Shelby nj
Culiom OF Illinois who 10 the Oldest
member OF the senate In years and IN
point OF service, has introduced bill
10 erect a monument to perpetuate
the memory Of an Illinois man whom
he knew In youth and who, II 10 plain
from what Is said OF him should not
be lost to the memory of his country.
Edward Dickinson Baker OF England,
Pennsylvania, Illinois. Oregon, Cal
ifornia and New York. Is the man who
Senator Cullom thinks ought to be
honored by monument erected at
government expense. Baker was born
In England In 1871. He came TO the
United States with his father when he
was four years old and lived In Phil
adelphia until he was IA. Then he
went to Illinois where he was given
his high school education and his law
course. He was an older man by IL
years than Cullom, but the senator
new him well In his boyhood and later
grew to admire him greatly Baker
was member OF the Wing party and
o great friend OF Abraham Lincoln. He
was representative and state senator
In Illinois at the time the Mexican
war broke out. He raised a regiment
and served all through the conflict
under General Scott. returning then
to Illinois and settling in the Galena
district which promptly sent him to
congress.
His Regiment of Gold Seekers.
Later Baker vent to California and
then to Oregon, state which in its
early days sent him to the United
States senate. He was in the senate
only few months when the Civil war
broke out, end then he conceived a
picturesque thought. He lad had four
years of war, but he was willing to
hay four years more. He thought
that the men who had gone to Cali
fornia during the gold craze and had
endured all kinds of hardsnips would
make fine fighting material and SO he
concluded to raise a California regi.
ment." and offer it's service to the gov
eminent. ~'
Of course, friends told him It was a
long ways TO California, and asked him
how he was going to get his men He
said: TIL get them in Philadelphia
and New York" He went to the two
titles and opened recruiting Offices with
the legend over the door: mo one but
California gold seekers need apply" In
about two weeks he had a regiment of
returned coast men. and fine regi-
ment II was. Baker went with II to
the front as its colonel and he was
killed in one of the first battles of the
war. Balls Bluff. and with him was
killed Lieutenant Greble, the first Of
deer of the regular army who lost his
life n the Civil conflict. Greble's son
ID now a lieutenant colonel of artillery
stationed In the city of Washington.
Senator Cullom asked congress 20
erect the monument In memory OF the
colonel on the field of Balls Bluff
where he lost his life.
The librarian of congress has issued
his report, which shows that the &C.
cession to the library for the last
rear were 9S.571 volumes bringing the
grand total of printed books in the col.
lection to 1.S9l.729 The collection of
maps and charts number 1885
pieces. the musical collection SIT ,S06
olumes and pieces. and prints. engrav,
lngs, etc. 226,996, The library Is one
81 tbs biggest in the world
Red Men Invade Washington.
The streets of Washington have
been turned into peace paths by
representatives Of Indian tribes during
the last few days. The Indians have
come here from east, west, north and
south. for II must be understood that
the entirely civilized sections of the
country hold Indians, as we'll as the
western plains.
Sometime ago It was suggested that
the Indians OF the country band them
selves together for the purpose oil
making their influence felt as voters
for thousands OF American Indians are
voting citizens. Just what this move
ment will come to no one can say
definitely yet. but the indians gath
cred here concern themselves with
othsf uatLeFS than poSslple odt
ance OF power" organization
IL seems that the pick of the rec
men were sent to Washington. tol
six-footers are everywhere and the
tull'bloods predominant. They are al
tine looking body of men PHYSICAL,
as ever gathered together In the cap
ital city. Some OF the Sioux indians
| are magnificent specimens and It MAJ
be that one of this tribe will be takeI
as a model for the indian statu,
which Is TO be erected in New Yorl
| harbor. at private expense hut will
government sanction, A proper me
mortal TO the race OF red men whit
once held this continent in thei
keeping has been urged for years ant
finally the matter has taken shap
and form. A heroic sized figure rival
ing that of Bartholdi's Goddess OF Lit
erty will soon appear facing the wa
tiers OF the ocean.
vice-President Sherman was al
sent from the capitol for two or thre
days recently and Senator Curtis G
Kansas was appointed to preside owe
the senate while Mr.. Sherman wa
away. Senator Curtis is at least
quarter Indian and his appearance