San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-05-11

ing. The steamers then ran toward the
Michigan. which lay in sight. Cole
left the Parsons in small boat ano
rowed directly TO the Michigan, His
plan was to capture the ship by STRAIT,
egy. Before going to Detroit he had
arrapged TO give the officers an enter
tainment on board that evening at hve
o'clock, and had sent the wine anu
other requisites TO the vessel before ne
left Saudusky. Therefore his coming
on board that day excited no Suspicion
The men selected to make the capture
we're TO come out from the shore in
small boats, ostensibly fishing, and spr-
round the Michigan. When Cole went
aboard they we're to draw nearer to the
ship. At given signal they were to
board her, put down the matches, and
the vessel would be won without firing
n gun. Everything worked like a
charm.
On the verge of success Cole delayed
giving the signal moment too long.
He was himself .
instead OF capturing the Michigan. He
was in the wardroom drinking wine
with the officers, and was just making
an excuse to go on deck to give the sig
nal when an officer from Johnson's
Island approached him, saying:
Captain Cole, you are my prisoner"
captain OF what?" he asked, with a
laugh. Certainly no man will accuse
me of being soldier?"
No." replied the officer, shut here is
a telegram saying you are confederate
spy, and are in conspiracy to capture
Johnson's Island. 1t orders his arrest.
We must at least take you into custody"
"Oh, that's all right" Cole answered,
although he thought that it was all up
with him.
Sergeant, search him, ordered the
officer. su
The sergeant began his work, and FL.
most the first thing he found was q
commission from the confederate gov
eminent. That was enough. Cole was
put under arrest and closely guarded.
A Colonel Johnson, of Kentucky, had
betrayed him. He dropped a paper
the information of his pur-
pose upon tho wharf just as they were
leaving Maiden on the morning of the
10th of September. It was picked up
and the facts communicated to the Pro
vost Marshal at Detroit. He tele-
graphed to the officers of the steamer
Michigan, but the dispatch was by &C
cident delivered to the commander on
Johnson's Island. It was merely by
chance that the message reached the
boat in time to save her from capture
and to upset Coles plans.
On his arrest Cole was asked who
were his accomplices. There they
were all around the vessel, and still I'M
known. Quick as flash he devised q
plan to save them. He named twelve
Of the most prominent men OF San
dusky as his co-conspirators, knowing
they would at once be arrested. He
felt assured that his female accomplice
IN the city, who was watching the bay
Tor the signal of success, would be
warned of his capture and alarm the
men in the boats. He was not mis-
aiken. The first man arrested was Mr..
West, who kept the hotel where he
stopped. Annie Davis knew he had
JAILED the moment it occurred. Quickly
slipping from the hotel, she took a
small boat, rowed out and gave the
alarm to the fishing boats, and they to
;he Parsons and Queen.
Beale scuttled the Queen and sunk |
Ter in sight of the Michigan, and run
hing the Parsons over to the Canada
shore, sunk her, too.
Every man but Cole escaped. Annie |
Davis also escaped, but she was cap
ured day or two after. when she
anne back to bring notice to the con
ederate government that they would
lold two officers as ransom for Cole,
md would execute them if he was dealt
With in any other way than as a confed-
rate soldier engaged in legitimate war
are. s'
JOHNSON CUT HIS THROAT
t the barracks in Cincinnati while be-
ng held as a witness for the federal
against Cole.
After Coles arrest he was confined on
he Michigan until after Generals Dix,
and Hitchcock visited the
'essel to make an investigation. They
anne on board on bright September
lay. 1t was thought that the Knights
If the Golden Circle were in the plot,
nd they were in search of evidence.
They asked for Cole. Cole says that
lie was quietly smoking a cigar when
he officer came below to escort him on
Ieck. In going forward he knew that
lie had to pass directly over the maya
inc. He pulled vigorously at his cigar
o get it well lighted, then taking it
rom his mouth ne held it by his side,
nd in passing dropped it into the little
irhole which opened into the maya
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