The Evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1917-1920, 1918-12-13

Missouri literature. The writer's, as
may be gathered from the title, are
all Missourians, some by birth, some
by adoption. The editors are DR.. Rich
ard H. Jesse, formerly president OF
the University, and DR. Edward A. AL
len. formerly professor of English in
the University.
The book was primarily intended as
supplementary reader for the
schools of the state, but no one can
read it without feeling that he knows
this state better than he did before,
not only in respect to the included au-
thors and their work, but also in facts
regarding it.
The opening pages are devoted,
most fittingly, to a selection from
Missouri's foremost writer, Mark
Twain. Life on the Mississippi"
is given. Further on The Feud" from
THE Adventures of Huckle Berry
Finn" appears.
Mark Twain's Personality" from
Five Famous Missourians" by Will
fred K. Hollister and Harry Norman
gives some interesting incidents in
the life of this one of the five.
An extract from The History of
the Expedition under the Command of
Lewis and Clark" by its leaders de-
scribes the start of that expedition,
its equipment and scenes along the
lower course of the Missouri River.
A second extract from the same work
tells of the discovery of the Great
Falls of the Missouri. describing the
event graphically.
Tells OF Daniel Boone.
The chapter on Daniel Boone by
Bryan and Rose pictures viyidly the
hardships endured by the pioneers in
civilization in Daniel Boone's time,
and the reader lives over with this
noted pioneer the stirring adventures
of his career.
"Doniphan's Expedition" by John T.
Hughes gives a concise account OF cir
cumstances leading to the Mexican
War and of the assembling of Mis-
souri, troops for that undertaking. In
asmuch as one of our large army can
tonments is named in honor of the
subject of this sketch, it is interest
ing to read of his election to the col
onelcy of the First Regiment of Mis-
souri, Mounted Volunteers the meth
cd of procedure being typical of those
used at that time.
Besides being a noted leader against
ond AlaYau1ar
Doniphan was celebrated orator. In,
fact, law was his vocation. ID. c.
Allen pays tribute to his brilliancy
in "Doniphan as an Orator"
Thomas H. Benton is inseparably
connected with the early history of
Missouri He represented it in the
United States Senate for thirty years
after it became a state. He is thrown
on the screen in lifelike reality-his
public life with its cold brilliancy and
indefatigable contest for a desired
point-his domestic life with itstOuch-
ing devotion to his invalid wife. This
sketch is from W. V. n. Bey's Bench
and Bar of Missouri"
BentOn's Famous Speech.
The next selection continues with
the life of the famous Missourian by
giving in part his famous speech
There is the East; There is India"
This is taken from the Worlds Best
Orations"
Col. Benton gave to the world some
idea of his senatorial experience in
afFrhirfxy VaarS in tho II Snnnfn "
An extract from that work tells of
the retirement of Gen. Jackson from
the presidency. The Missourian was
an intimate friend of this president |
for many years and was in a posi- !
tion to know the many delightfully."- |
told details of the retirement and |
home life of that soldier-president.
The reader learns of the last months |
of Benton from the pen of Frances |
Preston Blair, daughter of the distin- |
guished Missouri stateman, Frank p.
Blair Her father was with Benton |
at the end and the daughter had his
account of those hours. THE Death |
Bed of Benton" is the subject of this 1
sketch.
Colonel Benton's daughter, Jessie
Benton Fremont, wife of the noted |
explorer of the Rockies, inherited her |
fathers literary talent. The selection
chosen for this volume is a charming i
ly written sketch of "Old st. Louis"
and its social customs, seen from a |
womans standpoint.
The Hon. Champ Clark and the Hon |
A. NJ Dockery delivered addresses on
the occasion of the unveiling of the
statues of Benton and Blair in the |
Hall of Statuary in the Capitol at |
Washington. These addresses, bor- |
rowed from the Worlds Best Ora
tions" are reproduced here.
Lafayette In st. Louis.
'Lafayettes Visit to St Louis" is |
described by John F. Darby. The
city turned out in force to meet the
famous Frenchman's boat at the Mar
ket street wharf, one ofsthe only two
landings then existing. The carriage,
drawn by four white horses, was es-