The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-04-28

bthlOu fTetulOul, NlIe oI JOuu 4.
Fremont, the explorer and states
man, and daughter of Thomas II.
Benton, for many years senator
from Missouri.
Early in 1873 Fremont received
from the United States government
a commission to undertake the sec
ond of his noted expeditions OF er-
ploration to the northwest, then
vast, uninhabited region, the ulti-
mate destiny of which hung in the
balance. In obedience to it, he came
to ST. Louis from Washington and
Immediately set about Quitting his
expedition, with his young wife act
ing as secretary.
1t is matter of history that during
the first third of the last century
there was a powerful sentiment, both
in and out of congress, against eX-
tending the dominion of the United
States to the Pacific coast Such
senators as Webster and Calhoun
were opposed to it and for the most
part were able to influence congress
to their beliefs. On the other hand,
Senator Benton following his first
election in 1921, became a staunch
advocate of western expansion, and
was able to command a large fol-
lowing. through whose efforts the
various expeditions of exploration
were authorized.
In Quitting his expedition, Free
mont took the liberty of adding a
12-pound brass howitzer, secured
from the government arsenal at st.
Louis upon the representation that
he needed it as a defense against
possible hostile Indians.
News of the acquisition, it ap-
pears, was carried hastily to Wash
ington, where the announcement
created something Of a sensation in
governmental circles. The element
not especially friendly to the eX-
petition decided that the taking of
cannon into foreign or neutral ter
ritory constituted an act of hostil-
ity which might involve the govern
ment in grave eventualties. This
view appears to have been shared
by the head of the topographic bu-
reau, under whose direction the eX-
plorations we're being made, for he
straightway dispatched sealed orders
to Fremont at St. Louis, directing
him to halt the expedition and re-
port forthwith to Washington for the
purpose Of giving an explanation of
his action.
Fremont had left St. Louis for
the west in April, shortly before
the arrival of these orders. Mrs,
Fremont, as his secretary being
instructed to open his mail and for
ward by courier such documents as
importont He was still
within easy recall, having proceeded
but a short distance into what now
Kansas upon the day of
the arrival Of the important post.
The young Mrs. Fremont, who
was thoroughly imbued with the
ardor of her husband and father for
western expansion, thought she dis
cerned in the peremptory orders
a subterfuge TO defeat the purpose
of the expedition. For her husband |
TO proceed to Washington, she well |
knew. would require weeks and
make impossible any journey to the
northwest during that season. SEN
ator Benton was absent; it was
before the days of telegraph, she
had no one with whom to counsel.
Thus, beset the young wife resolJ-
ed to suppress the orders.
Summoning one of the fast cour-
iers at her command. Mrs. Fremont |
dispatched a message Of love to her
husband, urging him at all hazards
TO hasten his departure from the
farthest fringe Of civilization and |
to pass beyond the Rocky mountains
as quickly as possible. There were
hints Of a reason in the message,
but the reason was not given.
Thu fCg1 E1raa,1onr proppp1pd ]