- -- -. : i
Stye mcs, New Blaomftdi4 Jcu
Trapping a Spy.
Ill M. U.tJAl.
0
NE of the most active and vigilant
spies whom the Confederates hnd
during tho early part of the w ar was a man
who called himself "Captain Elliott."
That may have been his real . rank and
name,1 but tho chances wero that it was
not. I tripped him np one February night,
, and never had opportunity afterwards to
investigate his ease, as ho was taken to a
military prison.
During the winter of 1H01-2, when tho
Federal troops were massed in front of
Washington, waiting for the spring am
paign, and tho Confederates held Centcr
villo and the country thereabouts, Wash
ington was the headquarters of many Con
federate spies. In addition to the numer
ous residents of tho city w ho lost no oppor
tunity to pick up information and send it
through to their friends, .spies from the
Confederate army in front can-o through
our lines and lived in tho capital for weeks
at a time. Tho only risk they ran was in
getting through tho lints. Tho city was in
a oonstant hubbub of excitement, lllled
with officers, soldiers, contractors, office
seekers, and others, and no ono inquired
tho business of his neighbor. In addition
to what a spy could seo and deduce, the
officers were fountains of information. In
18(13-4, armies were moved without any one
hut tho commanding-general having pre
vious knowledge, and tho officers had learn
ed the value of a ' still tongue; but in the
early part of tho war, tho officer who could
lean back in his chair in the office at il-
liard's and "spout" his knowledge of any
movements nnd commanders' secrets,
thought himself ft hero.
" I've got a nice job for you," remarked
tho official who controlled my movements
at that time, ono day in January after I
had returned from a weary Ecout towards
Centerville.
"Well?"
" I, want you to look up some of
the half dozen Confederate spies who are
lounging about Washington. They are
picking up every word of information drop
ped, and have become so bold that they
even dare to "pump" heads of depart
ments. I am aware that they are in the
city, but know none of them, or would ar
rest them myself. You have a little time
to spare now, and make the hunting down
of these rascals your solo object."
Of course, I replied, "very well," bowed
myself out, and then sought my quarters.
The business was a new one for mo, but
one in which I took great interest. I had
never had any detcctivo experience, but
was not long in concluding that I could
soon get on tho track of some of the men.
I had been in and out of Washington until
well acquainted with tho hotels, and piincl
pal saloons, and had quito a fair idea of
how I must go to work.
The next morning, none of my acquaint
ances knew me at sight, and no wonder. I
was no longer a citizen, unknown to fame,
but a "captain in tho army," spoiling a
brand-new uniform, and the "tallest"
kind of an air. I had made up my mind
that I could secure information as an
officer which could not bo gained in the
character of a citizen. As a citizen,I must
bunt up the Confederate spies as an army
officer, I hoped and intended that they
should hunt for mo. A long purse was part
of my outfit. ' I knew that many officers,
whose men were in camp at Arlington,
Fort Michigan, and at other points, re
mained in the city for days at a time, board
ing at the hotels and visiting the theatre,
and so none would question my right to
leave "my company," which formed part
of a regiment stationed at Alexandria,
My first move was to Williard's, whore
I registered my name as "Captain Charles
Lake, ' G Co., 12th N. Y. Infantry," but
. in putting back the pen, I managed to drop
a big drop of ink on tho line, so that it
blotted out the "Company," leaving one
to guess to which one in the regiment I
was attached. There wero the names of
a score of officers; fifty lieutenants,captains
and colonels sat around, and no attention
was paid me. Securing a cigar and a seat,I
waited half an hour to get a chance to mix
in with the conversation of a group of seven
or eight officers. There was a lieutenant
' among them who said but little, but seem
ed to do a great deal of thinking. Every
time bo spoke it was to draw out somo point
of information. He asked after regiments
newly arrived, about ordnance and naval
tores, and all at once I made up my mind
that be was a Confederate spy. I had
hardly formed the opinion, when I read
' "spy" in his every action, and would not
have hesitated to arrest him then and
there, but for a desire to make him the bait
to bring other fish to my book. Through
him I must got into the " ring."
I found no chance to get into the conver
sation until they changed the ( topio to the
atricals, and then a dispute arose as to how
a certain actor'a name was spelled. Two
of the officers became excited over the
matter, and made a wager of a single bot
tle of champagne. A paper containing the
name was soon found, and the loser order
ed the bottle. Hogging his pardon, I asked
that he might make the order for a dozon
bottles, at my expense; and after ','pa"k
ing lo n " ii- llii: H'ii
an even lii'.'y d"".ir '. to Uio
nil the ,iii,-.d (o a laclc
cuss tlio w ine. The action
i r( to term It,
1 1 Af I invitod
l:ulor to dis
rcciuod Rcnor-
ous to them, and I was soon in receipt of
numerous friendly slaps on the back, the
heartiest one coming from the spy. He
declared that I was a " jolly good fellow,
that he hoped his company and my com
piiny mi,';hfc meet, that ho was constant
visitor iit ll.d WiilUliUti, abd .fl.iMvd him
self on meeting hio'ofteli. ' I 'ilnltorcd' my
self that I would have him'on his back in
a couplo of days, but was very clear of giv
ing him any hint to that effect.' We drank
up tho champagne, smoked somo Ilavanas
at. n;y i nio,nnd half an hour afterwards
1 v..i a lion. Not one of the officers
for a ii;oi.!i'jil. q'u- lij:i d my identity as a
captain, nor did any ono except tho , spy
advcit.to my regiment. This convinced
mo what an easy matter it was for a spy to
hang about Washington undisturbed and
unquestioned. My suspicious friend want
ed to know where the regiment was locat
ed, to what brigado it belonged, what I
thought of army matters, and evidently im
agined ho had cot hold of a fresh fish. I
was desirous of catching ,the man 'with
some proofs about him that he was actually
a spy. and engaged in the work. This I
feared I could not do. lie never wrote any.
thing down, but seemed to store it up in
his memory. I had no doubt that he jotted
down all points after going to his room.
and then managed in some way to send tho
information through tho linos. As it would
bo a tedious job to effect his capture with
poofs, I determined to follow another
plan. On tho second day after making his
acquaintance, I met him in a cafe, and
asked for a privato word. Ho cheerfully
granted the request, and when I had him
in a quiet corner, I opened on him :
1 "Lieutenant Chadsworth, I have known
you only a short time, yet our acquaintance
lias been so agreeable that I should really
bo giieved to have harm come to you. But,
I fear that certain malicious persons are
preparing a trap for you. Not ton minutes
ago, I heard you denounced as a Confeder
ate spy, by one who knows all about you ; I
and I fear unless you leave Washington j
within half an hour, you will be arrested, i
convicted and hung !" J
Ho turned red, then palo, smiled, looked
frightened, and when I had finished, he I
looked at mo for a moment without speak
ing, and then walked straight out doors.
I had given him a shot which staggered
him. He must have known that I had
worked op his case and was sure of my
man, or else I would not nave dared to
handle him so plainly. After a few min
utes, I loft the cafe, lounged around for an
hour or two, and then dropped into one of
the hotels. There was a crowd of army of
ficers and civilians in the office, and no one
took noto of my entrance. Casting my
ryes about, I discovered my lieutenant in
conversation with a person in the uniform
of a captain, and two others dressed as
citizens. It struck mo in a moment that
the other three were also spies, and I took
care that they did not see me. The lieu
tenant seemed to be telling tbem of his ad
venture, and the four wore grave coun
tenances. Imagining that the captain was
the director of the party, I scanned his face
until I was sure that I could remember
him again. Just below his right ear, I no
ticed a good-sized mole, and this would
aid me greatly in identifying him again.
Without receiving notice from any of them,
I slipped out doors, hurried to my room,
and in a few moments had exchanged my
nnifoim for a citizen's suit. Knowing that
the lieutenant would give the others a de
scription of mo, I next proceeded to a bar
ber's, and in a short time had exchanged
my long beard for a pair of side whiskers.
The change was so great that the spy him
self could not have recognized me. Pur
chasing a heavy cane, nnd taking care to
walk Blowly, as a dignified army contract
or might be supposed to walk, I went
back to the hotel. Two of the four spies
wero gone, one of those misshig being the
lieutenant. I was quite sure that the two
would take themselves out of the city, and
now proposed to hunt down the others.
The captain was smoking, and I pulled out
a cigar, strolled around to his chair and
asked for a light.
" You gentlemen of the army aro having
easy times juBt now," I remarked, as I
handed back bis cigar with a bow.
"To tell the truth, we, aro," he replied,as
he moved a little so that I could take the
cuair ucside mm. "However, its an
awful bore, and J for one am anxious for the
spring campaign."
"Yes, I suppose so," I replied; "and
from what I beard to-day, I am satisfied
that the campaign will open early, and be
vigorously conducted. I'll bet somo big
movement will be mado ia less than six
weeks."
" So?" be exclaimed giving mo a keen
glance, and also casting another at bis com'
panlon. "Are you connected with the
government?"., .
" No, not exactly; but, as a heavy con.
tractor, J ara brought into contact with
many high officials, and am generally post
ed as to what is going on."
I detected a sort of telegrapblo despatch
between the two spios, and read their
thoughts like a book. . The captain imnie
dlutely complained of being thirsty, and in
quired if I would not step up into bis room
and tako a social glass. I did not hesitate
to go with him, and the other party follow
ed after. Gottlng up to the room, a glance
around convinced me that the captain bad
told a falsehood when he said that he had
only occupied it for two days. Everything
wont to show that ho had been thore for
several days, if not several weeks.
" Stay 1" said I, as wo had raised our
glasses for a draught, " I hBd forgotten
that yoij did "not know my , nami ; Allow
mo to present myself as Benjamin F. Good
dale, of Now York crty."
('.'Ahl that reminds , me of my own
strange neglect," responded tho captain;
"allow me to introduco myself as Captain
Mark Elliott, of the -Now Hampshire
Infantry.'" " '
Ho gave a gulp just where he should havo
pronounced tho number of bis regiment,
and so I lost it. I knew that ho did it on
purpose, but pretended not to 'notice it.
The olhci man was introduced as " Tread
way," a resident of Maryland Avenue, and
a warm friend of the captain's. Just as
wo had taken our scats, and tho meu were
about to solicit further information from
me, I suddenly remembered that I must
be at the War Department at a cortain
hour, nnd had no time to lingor. They
were very sorry, they said, but wero con
soled by my nssortion that I would call
upon them the next day and renew my ac
quaintance. ' !'"
" If you hear anything in military mat
ters worth remembering, just jot it down,"
remarked the captain, as wo shook bauds.
" I confess that we officers aro sadly ig
norant of tho very matters which concern
us most, and are duly thankful for any in
formation."
I promised him that he should have all
my nows when next we J met, and on leav.
ing tho hotel, went di rcclly to headquar.
torsnnd mado my first report. ' I was con
gratulatcd on my success, and told to go to
any expense and use any means to frighten
i away the two other spies, or plan to cap-
; ture thom with proofs which would convict
I them.
I During the next two days I did not go
' near the hotel, nor did I meet with either
! of the men. I satisfied myself that "Tread
way" did not live on Maryland Avenue,
nor yet in the city, and a search of the rolls
of all the New Hampshire regiments failed
to bring out a "Captain Mark Elliott."
Bolioving, as before that if I could fright
en the fellows away, it would be almost as
well as arresting them, I at length wrote a
note to Treadway, and sent it to the hotel
bv a bov. It was a noto without date or
signature, and read as follows :
"Mb, Tkeadway, As a true Confeder
ate at heart, I feci it my duty to warn you
that the same person is also on your track.
I believe be has secured proofs to convict
you as a spy. Do not delay a moment after
this readies you I
About two hours after, I tent a friend
arou nd to the hotel, and thc'clerk told him
that both my meu had gone. I was quite
elated at first, bolioving that I had started
them for Richmond, but next came the
thought that they might havo only changed
quarters, and .would bo moro sly than bo-
fore. If they wore yet in the city, they
might in some way connect the " army
contractor" with tho mysterious note, and
so it was at least a prudent plan to adopt
another disguise. Resuming my captain's
uniform, I shaved off ray side whiskers,and
stuck a long strip of black court-plaster
across my loft cheek, "to cover a wound
recived at Bull Run," you know. For two
hours, I trotted in and out of hotels and
cafes, but I could not find my men. Get
ting weary, I gave up tho chase for a time,
and went back to Williard's. Getting a
newspaper and an arm-chair, I secured a
quiet corner, and for nearly an hour was
oblivious of tho noise and confusion around
mo. At tho end of that time, supper was
announced,and most of us went in. During
the first part of the meal, I was thinking
so deeply of my men that I gave no one
any notice, but was at length made aware
that I was a being in the flesh by feeling
the contents of a teacup scalding my leg,
The man at my loft, a citizen of quiet de
meanor, bad overturned his cup. He at
once apologized for bis carelessness, , and
the moment of confusion passed away,
With his first word, I know that I bad
heard his voice before, and for the next
five minutes I drummed my head to re
member where I had seen him. In reach
ing for a biscuit, I gave him a glance, and
caine near rising up in my chair at the dis
covery. There was the mole below bis ear,
and another glance showed mo that " Cap
tain Elliott" was at my elbow 1
The fellow bad doubtless seen the note
sent to his companion, and had left Ills
hotel, changing his disguise, nnd taken
other quartors to tender himself safer. I
looked up and down the table, but could
not see "Treadway," and to wind up his
cose, will state that I never saw him after
wards, be leaving Washington as soon
be could after my note reached him. " El
liott" was the only old fox, and I was con
vinced that I should have much trouble
with bitn. However, as the warnings had
worked well in the other coses, I deter
mined to try one in his. After coming out
from supper,! waited until I saw him settlo
down In a corner, and then wont to the
clerk and asked if the stranger had regis
tered. Glancing at him, the clerk whirled the
book around and pointed to the name of
" Gilbert Mason, Cleveland, Ohio.?' I then
passed out, went to a stationer's, and wrote
just such a note as the last, directing it to
tho man as he bad registered, and writing
tho word " Immediate f" at . tho lower Jeft
hand corner of tho envelope. Going out, I
called a boy, and gave him a silver quarter
and the lotter, telling him to hand the let
tor to the hotel clerk. Hurrying on ahead
of tho lad, I had got a ' pnper and secured
a Seat near the spy beforo the letter reached
the desk. In a moment more, one of tho
bellboys, delivered ,the noto to "Mason,"
and I held vp my ' paper so that T oould
watch his actions. He opened it with nerv
ous hasto, as if suspecting its contents, and
I saw his hand shake and tremble as he
read it. Ho looked all around to see if any
ono was observing him, and finding that
ho was unnoticed, ho rend the noto through
a second tiino. I could see that he was
somewhat frightened, and had hopes that
my plan was going to work, when ho crum
bled the noto In his hand, tossed it into the
fire, and compressed his lips, as if saying
to himself:
It's mere suspicion. They can't 'prove
anything.nnd I will stay and brave it out!"
From that moment I knew' I would have
to arrest him' in order to dispose of his case,
Ho must havo wondered how any ono came
to know him in his now disguise, but I
think ho cunio to tho conclusion that somo
one connected with the hotel had given
him Warning, and that there was no real
causo of his fright. Ho got tip; went to
the register, looked at tho name, mado somo
inquiry of tho clerk, Who shook his head in
reply, and then the spy loft the office. I
was close on his heels as he gained the
street, nnd intending to follow him.1 Ho
went down the street two blocks, and turn
ed into another, walked around a square,
and then Btartedoff at a swinging pace. Ho
was dodging to escape any one who might
bo following, but was now going to his
quarters. I was always noted as a fast
walker, but soon found that I must take a
dog trot" if I kept up with him. ne
was about half a block ahead of mo, and
I was about to lesson the distance, when I
encountered a cart drawn by a negro, and
went over it into the gutter. Whon I had
scrambled up, my man was out of sight. I
ran down to the corner, up one street and
down the other, but he had dodged me. I
did not give up until certain that be bad
made his escape, and then wont back to
my quarters. My reflections wero not al-
togther agreeable.. After looking over the
case, I made up my mind that I bad put
tho fellow on his guard instead of f light
ening him away, and that I should now
have any amount of trouble to strike his
trail and find him again. ;But I found him
in a way entirely unexpected. Continued
next week.
Rather Mixed.
"What's the matter, BoV."
"Sam, who am I?"
" Why, you aro yourself, Bob Harrison,
ain't you?"
"No, far from it."
" Why, what's tho matter ?"
" Well, sir, I'm bo mixed up, I don't
know who I am."
" Don't take it so hard to heart."
" I ain't ; I'm taking in my handker
chief."
"Well sir what's the matter?"
"Why, I'm married." ,
"Married? ha 1 na I ha: why, sir, you
should be happy."
"Yes, but I ain't."
" Why, all married men are supposed to
bo happy."
" Yes, but how many are so?"
" Well. sir. as I said before, don't take
it so hard tell us all about it."
" Well ; Sam, I'll tell you how it is.
Yeu see I married a widder, and this wid
dor had a daughter."
" O, yes ! I see how it is. You have been
making love to this daughter."
" jmo I worse man mat. iou see my
father was a widower, uud he married this
daughter, so that makes my father my son-
in-law, don't it? Well, don't you see how
I'm mixed up ?"
"Well, sir, is that all?"
" No, I only wish it was. Don't you see,
my step-daughter is my step-mother, a in'
she ? Well, then, her mother is my grand
mother, ain't she? Well I'm married to
her, ain't I ? So that makes me my own
grand-father, doesn't it ?"
tW The three mules employed in the
1,100 foot lovel of tho Belcher Mine, since
September, 1871, aro to be hoisted out
They were noeded at that time to haul cars
loaded with ore up an incline to the Yellow
Jacket hoisting works. A new incline has
been completed, and ore will no longer be
hauled up the old one. These mules, be
fore being taken down the shaft, were
thrown down and tied, bound up in sacks
and sent down endways. . They will have to
undergo similar treatment in being hoisted
out. It is not expected that they will be
brought up under a week or ton days, as,
in cake of accident, their services may be
required; Singular as it may seem, these
mules are as fat and sleek as any in the
country. Their stable is at the junction of
tne urowu I'oint and Yellow Jacket, whore
a lice current ol good air le always blow
ing. When they ate raised, tln-y will e
uiiiio to he blinded for about a wotik, I
order that their eyes inav Ifet used to the
light of day. Virginia Vity (A'eeuda) En-
. i'EItlCY t'OUSTT
Ileal Estate. Insurance,
CLAIM AGENCY.
LEWIS rOTTER & .CO., .
Seal Estate Broken, Insurance, dc Ctatm Agent
Now 131ooitiiIcld Iu. , (,
WE INVITE the attention of buyer and sell
ers to the ndvnntages we offer them In pur
chasing or disposing of real estate through our uf-
nee.
We have a very large list, of deslrab property,
consisting of farms, town property, mills, Btore
ami tavern stands, and real estate of any descrlp
tinu which we are prepared to oiler at great bar-
f:alns. We advertise our property very extensive
y, and use all our efforts, skill, and dllligence to
effect a sale. We make no charges unlets the
property Is sold while registered with us. We also
draw up deeds, bonds, mortgages, andnll legal pa
pers at moderate rates. '
Home of the best, cheapest, and most reliable
fire, life, and cattle Insurance companies In tho
United Mates are represented at this agency.
1'roperty insured cither on the cash or mutual
plan, and perpetually at $4 and 15 per thousand.
Pensions, bounties, and all kinds of war claims
collected. There aro thousands of soldiers and
heirs of soldlers'who are-entitled to pensions and
bounty, who havo never made application. Sol
dlers. If you were Wounded, ruptured, orcontract
ed a disease In the service from which you aro dis
abled, you are ent itled to a pension.
When widows of soldiers dioormari'y.the minor
children are entitled to the pension.
1'artles having any business to transact In our
line, are respectfully Invited to give us a call, as
we are conlldcnt w e can render satisfaction in any
branch of our business.
No charire fur information.
4201y LEWIS POTTER & CO.
ST. ELMO HOTEL,
(FORMERLY VTHK UNION,") "'
JOS. M. FEUEIl, Proprietor,
317 & 819 ARCH STREET, .
PHILADELPHIA.
Terms,
$2,50 Per Day.
THE ST. ELMO Is centrally located and has
been re-lilted and refurnished, so that It will
be found as comfort aide and pleasant a stopping
place us there is in riiiladclphia. ij 2i
Neiv Millinery Goods
j.t Newport, r.
I H1CO to Inform the public that I have just re
turned from 1'hlladelphia, with a lul assort
ment of the latest styles of
MILLINERY GOODS.
IIATS AND BONNETS.
KIBBONS, FRENCH FLOWERS
FEATHERS,
CHIGNONS,
LACE CAPES,
.NOTIONS,
And all articles usually found In a llrst-class Mil
linery Establishment. All orders promptly at
tended to. M-Wcl will sell all mmilH as rhenn nit
can be got elsewhere.
miERS-MAKINO done to order and In the la.
test style, as I get the latest Fashions from New
York every month. Goffering done to order, In
all widths. I will warrant all my work to give sat
isfaction. All work done as low as possible.
ANNIE ICKES,
Cherry Street, near the Station,
516 13 , Newport, Ta.
Farmers Talc Notice.
rjyiE subscriber offers for Sale
THRESHING MACHINES. JACKS and HORSE-
With Tumbling Shaft, and Slde-flearlnir. Warrant.
ed to give satisfaction In speedy and perfect
inresning, iignt drait and durability, on reasona-
ble terms.
LOUG
II K
Of Superior Make.
CORN 8HELI.EKS,
KETTLES,
STOVES.
SCOOPS
AND ALL CASTINGS,
made at a country Foundry. Also,
A GOOD MILL SCREW,
in excellent order, for sale at a low rate.
I refer those wlishlng to buy to John Adams,
Samuel Shuinan, John lloden, Ross llench, at
Ickesburg. Jacob Shoemaker & Son, Elliotts
burg: Thomas Morrow, Loysville; John Flicking,
er, Jacob Flicklngcr, Centre. 620 Vi
. . ,. SAMUEL LIGGETT.
Ickesburg, May 14. 1872.
CARLISLE CARRIAGE FACTORY.
A. 11. S1IE11K
has a large lot of second-hand work nn
huiid, which he will sell cheap in order
10 uiuKe room lor new worn,
FOR THE SPRINO TRADE.
He has. also, the best lot of
NEW WORK ON HAND.
You can always see different styles. The material
Is not in question any more, for It Is the best used.
If you want sutlstactlon In style, quality and
price, go to tills shop before purchasing elsewhere.
There Is no llrin that has a better Trade, or sells
more In Cumberland and 1'erry counties.
REPAIRING ANLT PAINTING
promptly attended to. Factory Corner of South
and Fitt Streets,
3 dp CAUL1SLK, PA.
JOBINSON HOUSE,
(Formerly kept by WoodrulTaud Turbett,)
Xtu Uloomfitld, rrry County, Ta.
AMOS ROBINSON, Proprietor.
This well known and pleasantly located hotel
has lieen leased for a number of years by the pres
ent nroprletor.mid he will spare no pains to accom
modate his guests. The rooms are comfortable,
the Uble well furnished with the best In the mar
ket, and the bar slocked with choice liquors. A
careful and attentive hostler will be In attendance.
A good livery stable will be kept by the proprietor
Aprils. 1871. U
JLOIII.HAWS
"Writing-
m Hid !
TniS FMI1D Is warranted EQUAL to Abhoui's
and Is sold at much lens pi-lee. Hie money
will be refunded to those buying It, (f It does Hot
prove entirely satisfactory.
. For by K. Mortimer, New Rloomneld.t
VH.l.kk&KLDlCR,' ' '. .
, Mole Ageuu, - , i i
!W Market Street,
S3U31 1 Philadelphia.
s