Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1896 — A Long Shot. [ARTICLE]

A Long Shot.

James Shields was elected to the Senate in 1848, defeating his predecessor. Senator Breese. Slrfflds bad distinguished himself in' the Mexican War, and at the Battle of Gordo he* was shot through the lungs, the ball passing, out at his back. His recovery was one of tire marvels of the day. Shields’ war record is believed to have secured to him his triumph over Breese. When the news of Shields' election was received, a lawyer named Butterfield was speaking of it to a group of friends, wheu one of them remarked: “It was that Mexican bullet that did the business.” “Yes," retorted. Butterfield. “that was a great shot. The ball went clear through Shields without hutting him, and killed Breese one thousand miles away/'