The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-28
YOUNG BRIDE
PLAYS PART IN
OUR HISTORY
BY Intercepting and Holding
important Orders Issued by
the Government.
WIFE OF JOHN FREMONT
Is the Person Who Figures in a
Difference over Expansion
of the Territory.
az AaeeelA-ge paras1

ST. LOUIS, MO, April zS.-SeVenty-
one years have elapsed since an
eighteen year old bride in this city
played a tremendous part in the his
tory of the United States by intercept
ing and Withholding important gov
eminent orders. The history of at
least three states on the Pacific coast
hinges more or less directly upon this
act of INSTRUMENTATION, pronounced at
the time, far and wide, as high-handeo,
but later justified by the exigiencies OF
the times. The bride was Mrs. Jessie
Benton Fremont, wife of John 9.
Fremont, the explorer and statesman,
and daughter of Thomas II. Benton,
for many years a senator from Miss
ouri.
Early in s43 Fremont received from
the United States government a COM
mission to undertake the second OF
his noted expeditions OF exploration
to the northwest, then vast, unin-
habited region, the ultimate detsiny or
which hung in the balance In obedi-
ence to it, he came to st. Louis from
Washing ton and Immediately SET ABOUT
Quitting his expedition, with ms
Young wife acting as his secretary.
Took Cannon.
Is a IudLLGA Vi hA1bSAJ
the first third of the last century there
vas a. powerful sentiment, both IN ana
ont of Congress, against extending
the dominion of the United States to
the Pacific coast. Such senators as
webster and Calhoun were opposed 70
II and for the most pa-t were able TO
influence Congress- to their beliefs. on
the other hand, Senator Benton, fol-
lowing his first election in lszl' oe-
came a staunch advocate or western
expansion and was able to command
a large following, through whose eI-
forts the various expeditions OF ex-
ploration were authorized.
In outftting his expedition, Free
mont took the liberty OF adding
tweive-pound brass howitzer, secured
from the government arsenal at st.
/ ,ouis upon the representation that ne
needed it as a defense against pos
sible hostile Indians.
News of this acquisition, 1t appears,
was carried hastily to Washington,
where the announcement createo
something of a sensation In govern
mental circles. The element not es-
pecially friendly to the expedition de-
c1ared that the taking of cannon into
foreign or neutral territory co1ss sl.
tinted an act OF hostility which might
involve the government in grave even
tualities. This view appears to have
been shared by the head of the topo-
graphic bureau, under whose dtrectlon
the explorations were being made, Tor
he strafghtway dispatched sealed OF
ders to Fremont at st. Louis, direct
ing him to halt the expedition and re-
port forthwith at washington Tor the
purpose of giving an explanation OF
his action.
intercepted Orders.
Fremont had left st. Louis Tor
the West in April, shortly before the
arrival of these orders, Mrs. Freemont,
as his secretary, being instructed 70
omen his mail and forward by courier
such documents as appeared import
ant He was still within easy recall,
baying proceeded but short distance
into what now constitutes Kansas up
nm the day OF the arrival Of the i'm
portant post.
The Young Mrs. Fremont, who was
thoroughly imbued with the ardor OF
her husband and father for western
EXPANSION, thought she discernea IN
the preemptory orders subterfuge 20
defeat the purpose or the expeoltlon'
For her husband to proceed to WASH
ington, she we'll knew, would require
weeks and make impossible any Jour
ney to the northwest during tnaC sea !.
son Senator Benton was absent; II
was before the days of telegraph; she
had no one with whom to counsei:
Thus, beset, the young wife resolved
to suppress the orders.
SumTnonfng one OF the fast courters
at her command, Mrs. Fremont as
patched q. message OF love to her nus
hand. urging him at all hazards 20
hasten his departure from the farther-
est fringe of civilization and to pass
beyond the Rocky mountains as QUICK
" as possible. There were hints OF
reason In the message, but the reason
was not given.
Thus, Colonel Fremont proceeded
upon Journey Of months all uncon-
scious that his presence in Washing
ton was daily expected
There was another sensation AZ
when the expedient prac-
ticed by the young bride becaIne
known It was stated that Freemont
would be arrested and sceurt-martialed
as soon as the government could lay
hands upon him and that his VIE
MIGHT also suffer prosecution. Notning
came Of these threats, however, ana
when the explorer finally did reacn
washington, months later he tonnd
praise and promotion instead OF pFos-
e.I~3n. while his secretary was rs-
garded as something of heroine be-
cause OF her part in the success OF
his expedition
The Fremont party dragged that
wheei-mounted cannon across the
traclrless mountains and plains far to
the northwest, almost 70 the presen y
site of Portland, Ore Returning y
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