National Republican., 1875-07-21
CAPTAIN J. 9. HESTER.
sks.ch Of the Life of Noted Detective.

Sketch Of the Life Of Noted Detsetive.
The subject Of the present sketch has obtained
q national reputation. Perhaps there is not .
paper in the entire country that has not at one
time or another mentioned his name in some
connection. A briet account Of his history will
not, therefore, be uninteresting to our readers.
Captain Hester is the son OF an
RsTEEMED METHODIST CLERGYMAN,
now living in Granville county, North Carolina.
He was born in that county and State in 1910, and
is now in the prime OF life and vigor. At the age
Of fourteen he left his home and went to Florida,
where he volunteered under General Harvey and
went through the Indian campaign. At sixteen
he went aboard ship as . sailor boy. He made
several voyages, and upon one occasion he was
left sick with the yellow fever at Rio de Janeiro
After recovering he took agency on Don Pc
dro's railroad, and assisted in Its construction.
From Rio he went to Buenos Ayres to go into the
railroad business there, when, the war breaking
out and putting an end to such enterprises, he
volunteered in the Buenos Ayres navy, and was
appointed sailing-master on the steamer General
Pinto. He was captured by the Rosarians, and
NARROWLY ESCAPED WITH HIS LIFE.
The Buenos Ayres authorities adopted the poll
cy Of putting their prisoners ofwar TO death, and
while the Rossrisns were taking measures for
retaliation Captain Hester, assisted By seven Of
his comrades, oyerpowered the guard, seized
fishing boat and made his escape to the city Of
Buenos Ayres. Here he shipped as mate aboard
o British barque bound for London. Owing to
the incapacity of the captain Of the barque in
hurricane, Captain Hester took command and
saved the vessel. Arriving at London the Gap
tain was displaced and Oaptain Hester appointed
in his stead. He traded with the Mediterranean
ports until after the breaking out of the rebellion
Stopping at Gibraltar for supplies in 1852, he
formed the acquaintance Of Captain Semmes,
whose vessel, the Sumter, was then lying in the
harbor. At the solicitation Of Captain Semmes
he surrendered his place on his own ship and took
the position Of masters mate on the Sumter.
After the sale Of the Sumter he went to Rich
mond, where he was assigned to duty as captain
of the blockade runner Pochahontas, which posi-
ton he held until his vessel was burned at
Swansboro' by portion Of General Buffers
command. He was then appointed agent Of the
Confed derate States in Europe, but, the war clos
ing soon thereafter, he never entered upon the
duties of his post.
tion in which Captain Hester was held by
THE CONFEDERATE AUTHORITIES AT RICHMOND:
MOBILE, October "a 1866.
SIR: Having learned from you that you lost your
in Command Of the blockade. r1 m er Pocshontas, /
take pleasure in remedying that loss: You we're
federate States steamer Sumter, then gnde. my
leaving % I the SUMTER 10 take Command Oft Of the S Al.
bama left you the second officer in command, un-
letter ex pressive Of nv satisfaction with youE
pertinent an officer and gentleman, and now
the Confedcrsie states have s always met With my
am. Seiy respectfully, your Obedient servant,
Mr.. J. G. Hester, Mobile.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERTcA.)
NAVY DEPARTMENT.,
RICHSoND, VA, December ., 1864.
The bearer, Mr.. J. G. Hester, OF North Caro-
States $ Gamer sumter, goes to urope a an agent
Of the Confederate State ME: Hester Is z well ell
BIS SKIN as a navigator and seaman, and for his
States. s. r. MALL0aY,
Secretary G. 5. Navy.
WIN JEFFERsoN DAVIS, President.
RICHMOND, VA, December %, 1854.
To az ,ohom 4 may c"HeerH:, =, H.,
command Of ne 6lockade,rI91ning steamer PGcS-
10 me Sn Sh tSsse IL fee We
he has submitted to me, regard him as one em-
character ofthe in which he was lately in COM
ALExANDER H. STEPHENS, v. P. G. s. A.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.
To all to hom these presents shall come, grseiHg:
the upseTsigIed secretary SfstSte Of the Con- M
whom may concern to permit ~ safely h anS iseey
tatc s. and in case OF need, give him all lawful
aid and protection:
nanG o f9s the Es e e The
mOns, this slst day OF December, A; D. 1884:
= .
Annro,, I: 4. CAMPBELL Asst 'tseo'yofwaF,
JEFFERSON DAVIS, President C.s.A.
On the 10th of June, ISL, Captain Hester was
appointed
SPECIAL AGENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUS
TICE
bv the Attorney General Of the United States.
Under this appointment he secured North Care
lima, unearthing the crimes OF the ku-klux and
bringing them to an account. He caused TO De
arrested and indicted over two thousand of the
perpetrators of these dastardly outrages,
some of whom were members Of Congress, aud
some Of whom are district attorneys and judges
in the North Carolina State courts
Every one will remember that the State cleo
hinging point in the Presidential contest of
1872 Ali eyes were then turned with IN
ssnss SnG Conceded % that @ as or6
Carolina went, so would 90 the Union. The Ru-
Klux were carrying matters with high hand.
These midnight rides sent terror to the hearts Of
a vast mass Of OF unprotected Republicans. They
were making sure Of their victory When Captain
Hester, like the aye9ger % %, Of blood app appeared iS
to the woods, and some found their way to the
Albany penitentiary. The ku-kluX were oafted
and defeated. lhe Republican ticket swept the
State and Grant was elected President. It was
due to the csolness, courage and determination
Of Captain Hester more than to all other causes
combined that these results were brought about.
Few men could have been found with the nerve
and sagacity to have successfully undertaken
what he accomplished; /; travelling upon mis- mis-
sion alone far in the interior Of the country,
rounded by bitter and malignant eoemies and
with the papers Of the State calling upon the peo
ple to shoot him down like wild beast, he went
fearIessly forward in the discharge Of his oth-
cial duty. He performed 1t well.
THE FOLLOWING LETTER
may give some idea Of his work:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., January q, 1874.
DEAR sIR-l take great pleasure In rtcommend-
for ana s%te IN owe the S db Of
for his brilliant achievements and valuable services
To him we owe the tranquility we now enjoy. Mr.
Hester Is q courageous, dashing, energetic man,
quick-witted, ever on the alert, Sad POSSESSES all
the qualifications lit him for the position he eeks.
Morally, he has not blemish; strictly temperate;
bome-training possible, being the son of the Rev.
B. b. Hester. OF North Carolina.
Very uuly yours, w g.
To the President.
Hon. s. F. Phillips, now Solicitor General, In a
letter of tie 9Th August TO the Secretary Of the
Treasury, rays:
ssBr hester is a man RI self possession and per-
sonal courage. and posst intelligence, acute
ness and versatility in an unusual deRree.''
RALEIGH, n. c.. June 4, 1874.
1t would be gratifying to North Caroinians
and servces Of Joseph g. Hester, OF this State, by
comforting upon him some good appointment.
Mr.; Hester is ensrgStie, inteiIigsnt aud honest,
sponsible duties. His services In this state during
the Ku-Klux reign OF terror were invaluable, and
one man. We would be glad to see his services
suitably rewarded. -
Your obedient servant, THOMAS SETTLE,
(''Endorsements:)
we indorse the letter of Judge Settle, and ope
that Mr. Hester will be appointed to some suita bic
place. %
EUGENE HALE,
W. p. FRYE,
JAMES H. PLATT, JR.,
JospPH q. ABBOTT.