Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-05-07
CEN. S|CKLES, LAST
Of GETTYSBURC'S
GREAT, IS DEAD
His Wife, Estranged a Quarter
Century, Returns to Watch
at Bedside until the
End.

49, NoiShtCo, WIN lido OCeIl
estranged from her husband for
more than quarter Of CEN
fury, went to the generals
house Thursday when she was
informed he was dying, and took
charge of the arrangements for
his care. She remained near
his side through the night and
watched by him until his death.
The final reconciliation was
brought about largely through
the efforts Of their son, Stanton,
it is understood, the general re-
Gently having made advances to
his wife, when assured by STAN
ton that they would be met half
way.
a FIGHTER TO THE LAST
General Daniel Edgar Sickles was
the last of tho great commanders who
fought the battle of Gettysburg. For
a decade he was n fighter by profess
sion-all his life he was a fighter by
nature.
he gruff old warrior. with one leg
shot away in battle. his massive head
resembling Bismarck's was pictur-
esque figure as he hobbled along on
clutches during the last half century
of his turbulent life.
His ndomitable fighting spirit re-
manned to the last Born in New York
City in 1926, Gickles at the ge of 90
fought the wings a democrat in
the New York Legislature. At oS, he
displayed his fighting spirit as cor
poration attorney of New York 1t
was he who secured for his city its
great Central Park. At this time his
military career began as major of the
18th regiment, National Guard, New
York.
| Before he was 80 years old. Major
Sickles had served as secretary of lega-
tion at London under Minister James
buchanan; he had won n State sena
torship through a bitter campaign, and
he was seated in the thirty fifth Con-
gress at Washington.
| 1t was at this time that an event
occurred. which became the sensation
of the day. Sickles had begun his sec
ond term as congressman In 1859. when
the national capital was stirred by the
news that the young representative
! from New York had shot and killed
Philip Barton Key. the United States
district-attorney for the District Of
Columbia. Siclles declared that Key
had mislcd Mrs. Slckles, who was
Therese Bigioli, daughter of an Italian
music teacher. The trial lasted 20
days ending in the acquttal of Sickles
on the ground of "unwritten law" He
then took his erring wife back.
FORGAvE ERRING WIFE.
81 am not aware of any statute or
code of morals" said Sickes to his
critics, which makes It infamous to for
give woman. | can now see in the
almost universal Pronunciation with which
she is followed to my Threshold, the mis-
| cry and peril from which | have rescued
| the mother of my daughter. | shall
| strive to prove to all that an erring
wife and mother may be forgiven and re-
deemed"
Mrs sickles died of a broken heart
few years later
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the
Young fighting politician, then &c years
old. went 10 Lincoln to offer his services
You have been a leader IN New York
democratic politics" said the President
IF YOU kept your end up at that game
surely you'll do 70 take command OF men
in the field. Raise your regiments and
YOU shall be brigadier-general IN COM
mand"
Brigade in New York, taking command
of one of its regiments ms colonel! Lin
coin kept his word and in 1861 raised him
70 k,r-ir~ n tsr II
early won MIN his spurs On the penin-
sula and at Antietam he distinguished
himself as a soldier and leader. At
1hancellorEvilie he led division At
Gettysburg he led the Third corps. lost
a leg, and became national hero. At
81 years OF age he had risen from a
colonel TO major-geneTnl of volunteers.
WED SPANISH BEAUTY.
After the war his lighting spirit led him
into the regular army, and he became
first. brigadier and then major general.
He continued In active service until 1869
when he was appointed minister to Spain
| by President Grant
At the court OF Spain, Sckles vigorous
personality made him dominant figure.
Four years of brilliant diplomacy brought
him the epithet Of 1.-The Yankee King OF
Spain" Here he contracted his second
marriage, with the beautiful and dstin-
gushed Senorita Creagh. This roma nc g
was followed by enlargement which was
TO last more than a quarter century. In
addition to this domestic trouble came his
Interference In the marriage plans OF his
daughter to a pennlless Spanish nobleman.
Father and daughter separated in bitter
ness, the latter to return to the United
States to die without reconciliation.
Returning to New York. General Sickles
again entered politics, He served as sher-
iff of New York and at 81 ne was re-elect-
ed to Congress
General Sickles's life drew TO a close
with frequent romantic situations He
faced bankruptcy proceedings in his last
Years, though he had early In life received
a large share of his fathers 100000 es-
tate. but his estranged wife and son came
TO his aid on several occasions.
His last days were spent at % Fifth
avenue, New York, surrounded by war
relics and attended by his faithful negro
servant
POST CARD POLITICS
why is there such hot fight over the