New-York tribune., 1878-12-04
COLONEL PELTON FOUND LAST

s,uSTERING IN THE LOBBY OF THE GILSEY HOUSE
his UNUSUAL RETICENCE-IIIs INYARIABLE
REPLY 81 HAVE SoTHNG TO SAY, SIR"
Since TIE TRIBUNE began the publication OF
the cipher dispatches, with their translations,
revealing Colonel w. L. PeltOn, Mr.. Tilden's
nephew and associate, as the central hg-
ure in the plot to buy the Presidency,
the residence of that gentleman has been
mystery until a short time ago, when IL
was reported that he was III Montreal, hold
ing occasional consultations with Smith NJ. Weed.
Mr. Pelton returned to this city on Friday last,
but he did not make his presence known
to his friends. Many, in fact obtained
their first knowledge of the fact through the
announcement in THE TRIBUNE of his arrival.
Apparently no trace Of him could be found, and
many of his friends denied that he in the city,
The presence in the city of Smith NJ. Weed, Colonel
Woolley, Senator Barnum, Manton Marble, Samuel
j. Tilden and others interested in the cipher con-
spiracy led to the report that a general consulta-
ton was being held to prepare defence Tor
Mr.. Tilden before the Potter Committee The
fact that all the cOparccners had spoken Ill
one WAY or another, except Mr.. PetOn rendered 1t
important for THE TRIBUNE TO get a personal eX-
planation from Colonel Pelton. Inquiries, however,
at Mr.. Tiiden's house-the nephews former resi-
dence-and other places which he was wont to
haunt were fruitless.
At the Glsey House, early in the week, the clerk
said no such person was STAYING there, ana
tho hotel register apparently bore testimony TO
that effect; but TRIBUNE reporter, who was passing
through an upper corridor of the hotel last night. dis
covered the famous Colonel smoking cigar after
dinner. His face bore a thoughtful and half
troubled look. and the ines were apparently
deeper than of old, but otherwise he looked
much the same as when he first retired TO the fast
nesscs of the Dominion to escape public observation
and the reporters. A pen balanced over his right
ear and the end of notebook projecting out OF his
pocket seemed to Indicate that he was
prepared to jot down any stray thought
that might aid him TO solve the great problem
of giving the cipher dispatches an innocent mean
ing.
In the brief conversation with the Colonel 1t was
noticeable that his answers were in the identical
words used by Mr.. Marble, who was discovered in
the ark, J" at No. 532 Fifth-ave.which was doubt
less either coincidence" or the result OF pre-
concerted PLAN There was one difference, however.
which is worthy of note Mr.. Marble, when
asked il he had any explanation to offer to the c-
pherdispatches published by The TRIBUNE. replied
al do not read The TRIBUNE, SIR But when 1t
was suggested that lie need not cOnine his reading
TO that or any other newspaper To know the pnrpor
of the cipher dispatches, he did not con-
f,os entire Ignorance Of the subject, but
added 81 have nothing TO say. sir,' and
the most persistent inquiry could extract only the
oualifying phrase, q" absolutely nothing" Colonel
PeIton. on the other hand did not deny reading
THE TR1BUNF. but he also had nothing to say" to
which he finally added the identical sentence on MI
Marble, " | have absolutely nothing TO say, sir.'
When he first saw the reporter approaching he
shaved n desire 10 avoid the encounter, but the
,f tI,o corridor did admit of this.
and the following conversation ensued:
"Mr. Pelton, believe = said the inquirer.
"Yes sir"
"TuF TRIBUNE desired me, Mr. PeltOn, to offer
Won the use OF its columns for any explanation you
NAV desire to gave III regard TO the cipher DIS
patches"
81 have nothing to say" was the reply, uttered
slowly. and in a hestating manner.
"It was thought perhaps you might say whether
any of the dispatches were incorrectly translated
by THE TEBuNE"
81 have nothing to say, sir"
ais If true that you aud the other gentlemen
named in connection with that matter preparing
a Defence?
81 have nothing 70 say, sir"
"Nothing to say about your meeting Mr.. Weed in
Baltimore y asked the reporter ncredulOusly.
absolutely nothing"
81 am sorry, because was in hopes you might
clear up this great mystery"
"Thank you," said Mr.. Pclion, with a genial
smile, al am very much obliged TO The TRIBUNE
for its kindness, but really. l am so busy that l
will have to 60. Good night"
As Mr.. Pelton disappeared down the hall the re-
porter stepped down stairs TO the clerk and asked,
"Is Colonel Pclton nOwat tins hotcl|
"Yes, sir, replied the clerk, but ho has gone
ii,