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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 1912)
K HEAT Am MTMl JKv jM 1SEIL1W ' Adventur CHINESE mm" S0LB1E AND MAKER OF HISTORY U BY C.T. FERRIS V fr 1 v 5 ftDGHHY CO B bMHBHmmHH 89 ;N THE early autumn of 18C0 a New York merchant Interested In the ma chinery and Junk "business received a letter from Shanghai, China, which interested him curiously. It was from an old friend and associate, whom he had believed to bo another example of unaccountable disappearance. Frederick Townsend Ward had gone to Mexico more than two years before to sell some old ord nance to the government. Having accomplished this in duo season, ho had suddenly "dropped out of ken, on the eve of supposedly returning homo. Fancy, then, the surprise which greeted theso words, if any act of so erratic a person could amaze. "I have entered Into the Chinese service, havo very fine prospocts at present and hope soon to havo a comfortable fortune. I havo been trans formed from a Yankee into a Chinaman in good style, with a good establishment. I, a few days ago, took the second city of importance in the vice royalty from the rebels. I havo made a pretty good thing of it and hope in a few weeks to take another city." This communication was a veritable bolt from the blue. A restless, almost penniless vagabond of a man, whom his friends had given up as lost, suddonly emerging in China as a master of men and a conqueror of cities! Our own bloody slaughter house had not yet opened its shambles, but the newspapers were so absorbed in an extraordinary political situation that thoy gavo scarcely a para graph to such a curious pieco of news when it was made known to them. A few weeks later another similar letter reached tho staid merchant: "I was then referring to his first letter about starting up country, but I have since returned, having been badly wounded while attempting to scale the walls of Sing Poo City, and was com pelled to return to Shanghai for treatment. I got several shot wounds, tho worst ono went through the cheek and down through the roof of the mouth. They, that is. tho missionaries and some English and Dutch merchants, talk very badly about me and my measures, I having used both rather unceremoniously when found having connections with tho rebels; but, Jack, I am Independent of them all and consequently do not care a for them. "China Is tho country for a !...in who is able to take risks and is gifted with good com mon sense. I havo made more money lu a few weeks than I could at brokerage in New York In twenty years." Sixty years ago American pulpits and church conventions rang with tho glad tidings that a Christian movement had sprung, spontaneously as it were out of Chinese soil. The future of missionary effort was thus assured, it was hoped, In tho blossoming of a far-reaching native forco that would speedily win the heathen to tho ban ners of tho cross. These hopes, however, were blasted, as the rise of tho religious cult of a Makka schoolmaster doveloped Into ono of tho most ruthless and devastating civil wars of his tory, and tho nature of the outrageous travesty, which had perverted a few Christian doctrines Into a grotesque blasphemy, camo to bo under stood. Hung Su Tsucn had sought In vain for that recognition before tho literary boards at Canton which was the passport of official ambition. In Canton ho had absorbed some crudo notion of Christian doctrine from a Methodist missionary, and when he returned homo, crazed by disap pointment, to live as a humblo pedagogue, ho began to dream dreams and speak prophecies as ono directly Inspired from heavon. As tlmo went on, his propagandism drew to Its banner hordes from tho ranks of discontent and crime, and an army of ragged desperadoes began to move" from west to ea3t In tho early fifties to establish tho claim of tho crazy fanatic (who professed to. bo tho younger brother of Jesus Christ and directly consecrated by the Holy Ghost) to be tho imperial head of the empire, tho annals of Oriental barbarism. It was esti mated by conservative opinion that In ten years this infernal regime known as the Talplng rebel lion had cost tho omplre some two ,and a half billions of dollars and tho destruction of several millions of lives by war, starvation and whole sale massacres. Hung Su Tsuen, as Tien Wang or "Heavenly King," was enthroned nt Nanking and ho prac tically controlled the great provinces of Klang Su and Shoh-Klang, tho heart of tho richest tea and silk production of China. His robber bands Indeed raided down to the very gates of Shanghai, and tho foreign merchants there wero Bometlmes hard put to it to defend tho city, though nominally on amicable terms with tho Nanking despot, on whom their trade so largely depended. Ono autumn morning at Shanghai in 1859 a slight, dark-complexioned, Inslgniflcant-Icclng man called at the office of Tah-ke, a mandarin of tho third button, a banker and merchant well regarded by tho foreign residents. It was Fredorlck Townsend Ward, who had Just landed in Shanghai from San Francisco. Ho was rough and seedy-looking, with a sailor's roll In his gait, but with a glance of fire and a solid, square-Bet jawbone to redeem his face. Tah-ke was not encouraging when Ward spoke of his desire to cntor tho Chinese servlco as a freo lanco, and answered that ho could get a belly full of fighting by Joining tho Shanghai volun teers. "Thank you for nothing," said Ward, "but I can do that without your holp. I didn't come for that sort of advice I could make you help mo and holp yourself at tho same time. You Jon't seo it now, but you will." Who, then was Ward? Born at Salem, Mass., about thirty-two years before his arrival In Chlqa, he camo of a race of deep-sea skippers, who had sailed on nil oceans, arctic and tropi cal, and been noted for their handspike and bo-lavlng-ptn discipline. Daring and resolution ran in his blood. At tho ago of nineteen ho had won his first - iv- x. i irraiV4,.'.uo V.YYF FmnnPTIKTR Y) $6M&?J? V rMt WXWA r.V&j 1 J .'- . 4JVV. ..iV(V ' . t, irawr (tbhrhw i nu 'rj. t . 1AT1T.1 v " "v" in ii - v .A7rl e;r. r.vij - 12;cY$ ::-Wvi;S -&3mxYfnn .i'W I '! V ,J"..V f1 -r . ."! i Jkx. IV'IV w . 'rMU DHWffii .- '. .-." - lOipr ..ar-r. ..- . - f , I!.. - -v Vj k ... m v . A . '-. -,. - v.. fW-r-Si; mate's certificate. Ho took a turn in Now York at tho business of ship brokerage and marine supplies. Thenco ho disappeared for several years and was heard of In Central America, where ho had Joined Walker, tho filibuster, nar rowly escaping the fato of that adventurer. Hu mor also associated him with tho ill-starred ex ploits of Wheat and Hennlngsen In tho same region. Ho had been hoard of also In tho Cri mea as enlisted in the French zouaves, from which ho managed to cscapo by desertion to save himself from drum-head court martial after having slapped his captain in tho face. Theso and other adventures loomed in his background. Not disconcerted by Tah-ko's cold reception, ho took things Into his own hands. He had enough money to hlro a small forco of rapscal lions, native and foreign, tho kind that Infest an Oriental seaport like rats, and among them a few deserters from tho British military and naval forces, who knew something about drill. Tho most important of these acquisitions was James Dtirgevine, a North Carolinian adventur er, who had severed allegiance to tho "Heavenly King." Tah-ko had sold to Ward for a baga tello a batch of condemned muskets and bayo nets which armed this ragged and unreliable battalion. Ward nn1 Burgevlno whipped them Into shape not only by camp drill but by skir mishing with tho Taipings at ovory opportunity, for from their cities of Sung Kiang and Sing Poo, only two or three days' march from Shang hai, tho rebels made constant Irruptions. Ward's primary object was to Inspire his men with confldenco in him and in themselves. Ho lived on tho country and when he captured Taipings he converted them Into recruits In stead of rofuslng quarter, as was tho habit of the Imperialists. Very soon tho exploits of Ward's irregulars began to mako a buzz In tho foroign clubB and counting rooms. Ho had cre ated his own standing and when ho went again to Tah-ke that worthy received him with low salaams. Ho went straight to his mark like a bullet, with the manner of ono dictating, not accept ing, terms. Ho proposed a formal contract, which Tah-ko was to negotiate with tho Futai of Shanghai. Ward was to havo $100,000 from the government for every city ho captured, of which $25,000 was to go to tho Chineso part ners. Ho was to have the first day's looting, after which tho captured place would bo turned over to the Imperialists. Tah-ko was pledged to finance Ward for ono year, furnishing him with arms, ammunition and stores, within n certain limit of cost which tho other thought would sufllce. Within a month Ward led his first expedition against Sung Klnng, which wns garrisoned by about 5.000 Taipings under tho command of an Englishman named Gardiner, an ex-offlcor of the British army. Tho attack failed, with serious loss to Ward's 500 assailants One thing had happened, howovor, which proved of vast import to him Ho had taken a rebel prisoner of some rank, who confessed to him that ono of tho bastions had a choked-un subterranean sallyport. If ho could mako a secret entranco through this, It would save tho necessity of a desperate and bloody assault General Ward reoganlzed his llttlo command and, with 5,000 Imperialists to co-operato mado his second attempt. Sung Kiang, with Its flve mllo circuit of wall twenty feet high, was can tured; and to Ward's great credit ho prevented nnythlng llko Indiscriminate massacre. Leaving Sung Kiang with an offlcer of his own in command, he loturned to Shanghai where his achievement had causod a tremoni dous sensation There comes now an Interim In Ward's fight ing tolls, for half a score of unhoalod wounds compolled him to go to Paris for treatment but wo find him back again In tho errly summer of 18G1 whero hla prcsonco was sorely needed. Tho foreign powers still pursued tholr hands off policy and allowed tho Taipings to sound their drums and tom-toms within earshot of tho Bwarmlng treaty port. In a diplomatic way, In deed, formal recognition of tho "Heavenly King" as tho dominant power was In tho air. Ward's coming shattered that Intontion, which, If carried out, would havo destroyed tho cmplro. Ho grasped tho situation and, through tho Futal of tho province of Cheh-Klang, obtained directly from tho Peking authorities a commis sion to raise and command an Imperial Chineso levy. His experience told him that, well drilled and daringly handled, tho natlcs had plenty of good soldier-stuff and would fight, and dlo in their tracks A singular thing happened at this tlmo. At tho principal templo of Confucius one day ho discovered in ono of the consecrated niches a scopter-llko staff of ebony with a curiously carved head of jado minutely Inscribed. The effect on his native valet was remarkable, and ho learned that It was ono of tho great talis mans of the empire. When ho appeared with It before his troops tho next day they fell to tholr knees In ranks. Thenceforward ho carried no sword, only this magic baton attached to his wrist with a thong. In tho eyes of tho Chineso, oven tho Taipings. it mado him an lnvinclblo leader. Shortly afterward, Indeed, it saved his llfo. A largo dotachment from tho main forco of Chung Wang camped too near his city of Sung Kiang. Sallying forth with two regiments, he struck their camp llko a thunderbolt at night, cutting the forc to pieces. Tho clock now struck twolvo for Frederick Wjird. A courier arrlvod po3t hasto from tho Futai of Shanghai, ordorlng him to report thoro for co-operation with tho Anglo-French contin gent. Ho oboyed with two picked regiments, loavlng Sung Kiang strongly garrisoned under Colonol Forestor. Admiral Sir James Hope had arrived and had Insisted that General Ward should bo fully recognized as tho most efficient factor of salvation. Tho first move was agalnBt Kaschlaou, which threatened tho supplies of Shanghai. Ward and his Colestlals carried tho defenses In tho most gallant fashion, leaving Sir James Hope's con tingent but llttlo to do excopt gather In two thousand prisoners. All the English officers wore delighted with tho splendid dash and confldenco marking Ward's attack, and when Sir James Michel, tho British commander-in-chief, arrived from Hong Kong with Sopoy reinforcements he ngrood cor dially with Admiral Hopo when theso two re viewed Ward'B forces at Snng Kiang. It was advised that Ward bo commissioned by tho Chineso government to rnlso from 6,000 to 10,000 men and bo invested with a largo rango of authority. Tho result was an oxtravagantly phrased re script from Poking that commissioned General Ward to raise and command 6,000 men, nnmed him ndmlral-genoral, and made him a mandnrln of tho "peacock feather." With It camo tho famous "Yellow Jacket," equivalent In China to the Golden Fleece or tho Order of tho Garter The now forco was designated Chun Chen Chun. "Tho Ever Victorious Army." It was In April, 18C2, that a council of war was held at Sung Kiang. Sir James Hope, Gon oral Stavoley, the French Admiral Potret, Gon oral Ward and Viceroy J,lch being present. It was hero that Ward's general plan wns fully sanctioned. This showed great grasp of military strategy Tho proposition wns to capture tho cities of Kahdlng, Sing Poo, Najaor, Tsaolln nnd losser fortified places within a radius of forty miles from Shanghai. Needless to linger on tho details of tho on Kahdlng, Sing Poo, NnJaor nnd Tsaolin. Gen eral Wnrd In each case, magic baton In hand, headed tho asaultlnj; column through tho broach mado by artillory, and hla men charged to tho very gates of Tophot, resistless In tholr ardor, mad with tho Joy of battle. In tho Tsaolln nffalr tho gallant French admiral Protet was shot dead at his sldo. Tz-kl fell before his assault like n house of cardboard, but one of the last hostile bullets fired pierced Word's chest with a ratal wound. lt was taken aboard a British gunboat commanded by Lloutenant Roderick Dow and was brought down to Nlngpo. Splendid funoral obsequies at tho templo of Confucius in Sung Kiang were hold, at which all tho foremost porsonagos of that part of China, natlvo and foreign, attested tholr grief and paid tholr homago to tho deeds of tho man who had practically arrosted tho disintegration of tho empire J. P. DON'T KNOW AND HAS NO THINK J. Plorpont Morgan, who knowa a few things nbout finance and art, music nnd occlosiaatlcnl history, got back from Europo tho other day. Ho had boon away about six months during approximately tho period the Stanloy comtnlttoo baa been occuplod In taking testimony nnd roporting. Ho has boon up tho Nilo, In tho nrt and monoy centors, and has dono somo yatchlng on hia Corsair, which arrived nhoad of Ita owner. Tho yacht, with mombers of hla fam ily nnd grandchildren aboard, raking tho stcamor foro nnd aft with raorlno glasses, was at quarantine early In tho morning. Son Jack Morgan wont aboard tho ship and found his fathor at breakfast. Mr. Morgan's nleco. Miss Annlo Tracoy, and hor friend, Miss Borwlnd, who wore passengers, wero nt tho samo table. Tho bankor was vory affablo, If un communicative, whon soon later. Ho Panama with tho rim turned up all woro a gray sack suit and a small nround nnd bit ono of tho Morgan dollar cigars and hold his cano In tho air. Ho said: "Good morning" to tho nowspaper squad, but gavo no chanco for an Interview. "Go nwny. Got out. Nothing to say. Wouldn't say it hero it I had! 'Way. Leave mo alono," was his answer to tho rcquost for a talk. "Mr. Morgan, will you " "No, I won't. You know I won't Why do you bother mo this way?" Ho glared not so unpleasantly. Mr. Morgan's faco was ruddy, showing that ho had boon out In tho sun. Tho young man suggested' to Mr. Morgan that ho could got his salary raised If he could extract an Intorvlow from him. "All right How much will they raise it? I'll pay tho difference. GIvo you a check right now. But toll me how much and thon got out" "Mr. Morgan, you wero protty closo to Emporor William?" Ho whirled. "Who said so? Who told you that?" "It was cablod to tho newspapers." "Woll," tho Wall street power snappod, "what of it? For God's sako, what of It?" "Winston Churchill mado a speoch In parliament." "Did ho, did ho?" Inquired Mr. Morgan, bocomlng lntorostod, nnd turning upon tho companlonway. "What did ho say? What did ho say?" "Ho called for 500,000 pounds and expressed an open fear of Germany." "Humph!" said the kaiser's guest "Do you think that moanB war?" "How should I know?" he ropllod, without turning. "How should I know?" "Hut you wero with Emporor William?" "Ho did not toll mo ho was going to war. Ho didn't toll mo anything about It. See, here," contlnuod Morgan, putting his emphatic fist under tho reporter's nose, "I don't know nnd I don't think. I havo got no think. Understand?" THE RAPID RISE OF CHARLES D. HILLES! C. D. Hllles, today field marshal of tho Republican forces, was, less than four years ago, guarding tho Interests of sovcral hundred orphans in a Juvenile asylum at Lancaster, Ohio, of which he was tho superintendent His rapid rlso In public llfo is n dra matic story and intensely American in Us Illustration of the opportunity that, oven in theso days, awaits tho young mnn who does his job woll. From tho hour of his renomlnntion Prosldont Tnft steadily Inslstod that his secrotary was tho right man to head tho national committee, and aft or a llttlo constdorntlon of tho chnr nctor of Mr. Hlllos tho seasoned poli ticians reached tho samo decision. Who Is Mr. Hlllos and why has ho succeeded whoro his predocossorB havo consistently fallod? By what art does he succeed as secrotary to tho presi dent, recognized as tho most dlillcult official billot In Washington? Why docs tho prosldont prefer him as a leader In tho campaign? Tho answer to those questions, dlroct from tho Whlto House, Is Hllles has "tho polso and tho touch." It was tho Chicago pro-convontion campaign that mado Mr. Hllles a national figure In politics. Ho had quietly organized tho campaign In a thorough and painstaking manner that pormlttod Representative McKlnley. tho presidents political manager, to start with an efficient organization. At Chicago, whero Mr. Hlllos was tho personal representative of the prosldont, ho surprised frlonds and foes nliko by his deep insight Into evory movo of tho opposition and his ready defenco for each attack His capacity for work kept him going until threo and four o'clock In tho morning without his fooling It. Ho wont about his work In his orderly way. carrying It to his rooms with him in hlB suit cases, as if ho woro about to start on a long trip. HETTY GREEN TO JOIN CHURCH Mrs. Hetty Groon, who Is In hoi soventy-olghth year, was baptized tho othor day In tho Episcopal faith In or der to prepare for confirmation as a member of tho church. v The ceremony was performed In Jop soy City by tho Rov. Augustlno Elmen. dorf, rector of Holy Crojjs Episcopal church, Arlington and Claromont avo nues, In tho prosonco of Col. Edward Howland Robinson Green, on whoso shoulders havo fallon much of hla mother's great buslnoss responslblll ties. Fathor Elmondorf, as tho clorgymar Is called by his parlshlonors, Is dis tantly rolated to Mrs. Groon, and for flvo or six years ho has hoen endeav oring to induce her to think loss ol things oarthly. Ho kopt his socrot tc himself and laborod diligently In hla rolo of missionary by writing letter or carrying tho messngo to hor office In porson. Fathor Elmondorf wont to tho Trin ity building, in New York city whore Mrs. Green has her office, on tho day of tho ceremony. Although tho great malorltv nf wnrknm In !. iinnn.i.i district had taken ndvnntngo of tho Saturday afternoon holiday, Mrs. Green was still busy, but as soon as sho could straighten out overythlng sho said sho was ready to go with tho minister. Colonel Green hud his car in readi ness and the trip across tho river to Jersey City on their spiritual mission wns mado. ' Sovcral persons noticed Mrs. Groon ns sho alighted from tho car and ontorcd tho roctory, but nobody rocognlzed hor. Even tho soxton of tho church was kopt In Ignorance. Tho baptismal ceremony was conducted In tho church. Owing to the advanced ago of Mrs. Greon sponsors wero not roqulred, according to tho church laws, and Colonel Greon moroly acted as a witness. Tho Greens roturned to New York after tho coromony. Mrs. Green will now propnro herself for confirmation, a ceremony that will bo conducted by Bishop Edwin S. Lines of tho Now York diocese.
