Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1883-10-25

side. All letters of import were OPEN
ed and read by the spy, and their
contents sent to his chief, Allan PIN
kerton, with whom he found means of
correspondence. He remained in
that capacity, doing efficient service,
until his detection and apprehension.
Webster made several trips outside of
his regular course, in obedience to
instructions from the Confederate
authorities. One of the most impor-
tant of these was visit to New York
as agent of the Confederate Govern
ment. The nature of this visit has
never been published before, and is
an interesting bit of history belong
ing to the chronicles of the times.
Mr.. Pinkerton knows the circum-
stances here related to be true, and
others now living can substantiate
them. Commissioned by the Con-
federate Government the Yankee spy
went to New York and purchased
large quantity of bank-note paper,
which, when closely packed, filed
three large trunks. Webster reported
his business to his chief and permis-
sion was obtained to pass through the
lines with the Confederate goods.
Knowing the value of Webster as q
trusted agent of the Confederacy,
who kept the Unionists informed on
all important matters, the au thorities
thought best not to intercept the
property he carried. He succeeded in
SMUGGLING THE PAPER THROUGH
the lines by the collusion of the Fed
eral Government, near Port Tobacco,
in Maryland, and carried it to Rich
mond safely. This bank-note paper
was used by the Confederate Govern
ment Immediately, and was the first
paper issue made by the Confederacy.
The success of his trip of course re-
bounded greatly to the spy's advan-
tage as confidential agent.
There were in Baltimore at this
time several prominent persons be-
lie7ed to be IN league with the enemy
and Webster was notified to attempt
to induce them to visit Washington.
He had up to this time maintained
the dual position of spy for the
Confederate and Federals both, and
as an agent of the rebels had achiev-
ed considerable notoriety. Under
the chaperonage of Webster, the
gentlemen who were wanted at Wash
ington paid visit to the capital, and
were treated to dose of prison life,
which was brief, however, as there
was nothing serious about the case.
Webster about this time was captured
by Franklin's corps of the Union ar
my, but was not at liberty to disclose
his character. On his way, accompa-
MED by a guard, to Fort McHenry,
/ he jumped out of the buggy and es-
| capped. The affair was all arranged,
but. in order to give it the appearance
of rescue, several shots were fired
from revolyers and carbines. The
papers in the South were full of the
, incident, those of the Southern sen.
timents lauding the ingenuity and
courage of the spy. By 1862, the
r business which Webster had to attent
E to had increased to such proportions
| that it became necessary to send hin
+ some assistance. 1t was through thi:
necessity, and the circumstances &C
. cidentally growing out of the arrange
r ments made by the Detective Agenc.
: that Webster's real character an,
s business became known. and he mad
: to suffer the extreme penalty. f
0 II. Stein, John Scully, Price Levi
e and Harry Knipe, all Pinkerton men
: were sent into the Confederate line
b as spies. Stein and Knipe acted in
dependent of Webster, ana wer
e themselves ignorant Of his position
o as Webster was of theirs. Scull
2 and Lewis. however, were instructe
IS to act in conjunction with Webster
# These two men had been on duty
Is the residence of Mrs. Rosa Greenho
It in Washington, which had been turr
|e ed into female prison. Mrs. Greer
d how was a staunch friend Of the n
le bellion, and did what she could to al
4 its cause. For this reason her res
+ dence was confscated. and she he
I'd self kept as prisoner, within ]