The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-04-28
Seventy-0ne Years Ago Today
John C. Freemont's Wife Sup
pressed Federal Orders

ST. Louis. Mo, April 2S,-Seventy
one years have elapsed since an eigh-
teen year-old bride in this city played
a tremendous part in the history of
the United States by intercepting and
Withholding important government or
ders. The history of AT least three
states on the Pacific Coast hinses
more or less directly upon this act of
INSTRUMENTATION, pronounced at the
time. far and wide as high handed.
but later Justified by the eNigencies of
the times. The bride was Mrs. Jessie
Benton Fremont, wife of John {.
Fremont. the explorer and statesman.
and daughter of Thomas II. Benton
tor many years senator from Nilsson
| ri.
Early in 1913 Fremont received
from the United States government u
commission To undertake the second Of
his noted expeditions Of exploration to
the Northwest. then a vast, uninhabit-
| Ell region, the ultimate destiny of
which hung i'm the balance. In obedi-
i
| Washington and Immediately set about
| QUILTING his expedition. with his
young wife acting as his secretary.
1t is Il matter of history that during
the first third of the last century there
was powerful sentiment, both i'm and
out of Congress, against extending the
dominion of the United States To the
Dnsfti.
ster and Calhoun were opposed To it
and for the most part were able To in
iIuenCe Congress To their beliefs. on
the other hand, senator Benton. fol-
lowing his first election i'm 1921, be-
came staunch advocate Of western
expansion and was able To command
"A large following, through whose eff
forts the various expeditions Of eX-
plOration were authorized.
In QUILTING his expedition, Free
mont took the liberty of adding H.
pound brass hOwtiZer, secured from
the government arsenal at ST. Louis
upon tie representation that he need
ed it as a defense against possible hos
tile Indians.
Mrs. Fremont Suppresses Orders.
News Of this acquisition. it appears,
was carried hastily To Washington,
where the announcement created
something of sensation in govern
mental circles. The element not es-
pecally friendly To the expedition de-
clared that the taking of cannon into
foreign or neutral territory constituted
an act of hostility which might i'm
volve Tie government in grave event
ualities. This view appears to have
been shared 10y the head of the TOpo-
graphic Bureau, under whose direction |
the explorations were being made. for
he straightway dispatched sealed or
dcrs To Fremont at st. Louis, direct
ing him To halt the expedition and re-
port forthwith at Washington for the
purpose of giving an explanation If
his action
t'reemont had left ST. Louis for the |
west in April. shortly before the ar
rival Of these orders Mrs. Fremont, |
as his secretary. being instructed to |
open his mail ana forward by courier
such documents rs appeared import
ant. He was still within easy recall. |
having proceeded but q short distance
into what now constitutes Kansas up
on the day of the arrival of the inn
portant post.
The young Mrs. Fremont. who was
thoroughly imhucd with the ardor of
her husband and father FOR western
expansion, thought she discerned in
the peremptory orders Il subterfupc to
defeat the purpose of the expedition. |
or her husband to proceed To Wash
ington, she well knew, would require
weeks and make impossible any jour
ney to the Northwest during that sea-
son. Senator Benton was absent; ii |
was before the days Of telegiaph; she
had no one with whom to counsel
Thus, beset. the young wife resolved
to suppress the orders.
Summoning one of the fast couricrs
AT her command, Mrs. Fremont dis
patched message of love To her hus-
band. urging him at all hazards To
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 a
reason in the message but the reason
was not given.
Threats Not Carried Out.
Thus, Colonel Fremont proceeded
upon a journey of months all uncon-
scious that his presence in Washing |
ton was daily expected.
There was another sensation at
Washington when the expedient prac-
ticed by the young bride became