The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-03-08

law-maker does not seem to have interfered seri-
ously with his painting. He continued 10 turn
out scenes of life on the river and II was these
paintings which first became widely known
through the Autographs Of the American Art
union. One result of his political career in Mis-
souri, was 10 turn his attention TO painting pic
lures of that phase Of pioneer life and in The
Stump Speaker" -Canvassing for Vote" "Coun-
" Election" and The Verdict of the People" We
have an invaluable record of the stirring DAYS
when people took their politics more seriously
than they seem TO do now.
By this time Bingham was making enough
from his painting TO enable him 10 go TO Europe
10 study. After his return he painted some of
his finest portraits. Later he made another "trip
abroad but this time his stay was a short one
and in 1860 he was living in Kansas City and
again taking prominent part in the politics of
the state. Despite his Virginia nativity and the
strong Southern sympathy in Missouri, the out
break of the Civil war found Bingham stancn
Northern sympathizer and captain in the
United States Volunteer reserves So there is a
paradox too in the proposal TO make the Arrow
Rock home Of this Unionist Confederate shrine
But that proposal is more understandable if
there is taken into account the fact that one of
his pictures. the famous "0rder No. H. was
fierce polemic against injustice suffered by
the Confederates In Missouri at the hands of
while Bingham was state treasurer. Quantrill and
his guerillas made their famous raid on Law
renee Kan, and massacred many Of its defense
less citizens.
In retaliation for this, Brig Gen. Thomas
Ewing, Jr., who was in command of the military
district of the border with headquarters in Kan
sas City, issued his General Order No. II" CALI
ing for the concentration of all residents Of the
border into certain military centers and the deliv-
cry of their harvested crops there Those who
could prove their loyalty to the Union cause
would be given permission to remain within the
limits Of the military stations but all rebels"
were TO be driven out of the district. All Of this
had 10 be accomplished within Is DAYS.
1t one of the most drastic military orders
ever issued during the Civil war. Bingham made
a trip from Jefferson City TO Kansas City and
protested vehemently against its issuance. But
Ewing was obdurate and the order was executed
ruthlessly and in many cases with unnecessary
brutality. Whereupon Bingham took VOW that
he would make the author of that order in
famous TO posterity with his pen and brush
AT the close of the war. Bingham moved TO
Independence and there began painting Order
No H." After il finished he borrowed 5000
from bis friend, James S. Rollins TO have the
painting engraved on steel He had printed
5000 copies which he sold and for many years
after the Civil war these steel engrarings hung
in hundreds OF Missouri homes TO keep alive the
hated memory of Thomas Ewing and his cruel
Order No. IL"
Ewing had returned to his home in Ohio after
the war and IN 1877 he was candidate for gov
ernor. Whereupon Bingham went 10 Ohio. taking
his painting with him and exhibiting il in al
the larger cities He gave lectures on II and
wrote articles for the newspapers addressed 70
the voters. deneuncing Ewing and calling upon
them 10 keep such a man from becoming the
chief executive Of their state The result
that Ewing was defeated Bingham had kept his
VOW. although be did not live long 10 enjoy his
triumph He died in 1879 and is buried in ths
old Union cemetery in Kansas City.