Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-31

Mr.. George W. McElfresh, formerly Q private
and detective on the police force, was asked by
STAR reporter last evening what he knew OF
the condition Of affairs about the time that the
impeachment Of President johnson was talked
Of, and replied "Of course remember those
days From the late developments all can see
that We were then, ~ 1t were, right on the
verge Of eruption, in more danger than most
people supposed. was . private ON tho force
and believe that was then doing duty in the 5th
precinct under Lieut.. Skippon, when received
message by q detective OF the force that Major
Richards desired to zee me at once. Going with
the detective to police headquarters, Major
some Information that in Maryland the militia
were being armed for the purpose OF resisting
the impeachment OF President johnson, and II
there was in the reports which had been re-
.Msjor Richards" suggested the reporter,
..n remember correctly" answered Mr.. Mo
Elfresh, "he did not. He simply gave me to
be had hsaa Fl such
tions, but understood that was to get this
It was when there was consideraSls fear that
the want Of harmony between the President
and some of the cabinet would result seriously,
wo:k in the interest q the President or other r
"You went at once, suppose 2" said the scribe.
Mr.. McElfresh, ITO go In any manner thought
proper. and 1t did not take me long to decide
that the best plan was to go out cunning; SO
gun, with ammunition, rode out into Prince
Georges county. I think now that 1t must
have nay, been somewhere near what Is now
wilson's station, about nine miles out, where
stopped 1 went to q store TO get something
70 eat, little expecting to get the information
sought Tor SO Soon.' had learned that the
authorities w mt or,
the same errand, and that they had ut Bladens-
burg got to drink king to such an extent that
and returned home with heads full of whisky
and with no knowledge to whether there
were troops in Maryland. Both OF these men
lost their places for their failure, and they are
ut has been stated that two men were sent
out to ascertain what was going on" said the
eyes, guess" said Mr.. McElfresh. "some one
told OF those who did not do anything. You
see now that three were sent into Maryland,
naturally Thought that the people had heard of
these two officers and would be little suspi-
cious, and was therefore somewhat surprised to
"How many were theyP" asked the reporter.
II can't tell now" said Mr.. McElfresh, "but
think there must have been from sixty to 100
as cavalry, with carbines, sabers and had ali
the Announcements"
Had they seen service?' asked the reporter.
McElfresh, "but as remember the crowd now
most of them were young men, some mere
boys. All Of them appeared to be SO green
about handling the Announcements that 1, hav.
ing had some experience as q nou-commis-
stoned officer in the Sd Pennsylvania cavalry,
offered my services, jumped in and showed
While / was doing this l, Of course, kept my
ears open and learned from their talk that
another company was receiving their arms
that day. I then took my gun and went in the
woods where killed one or two birds, and, re-
turning, got my horse and rode some ten miles.
where I saw that another company was receiv.
Ing arms similar TO the drst."
aHow werethsy as to nniforms?" was asked.
"but some may have been in uniform. My Inn
preston is that they were. What 1 had seen
deemed suhcient to substantiate the state
ments made. sufficient at least to report, and so
to the city,
"And made your report to the major, I sup
pose"
ayes. and then with Detective Miller" an
swered Mr.. McElfresh, "went at Major Rich
ards direction to Gen. Emory's headquarters
In the first ward, and reported what had seen
TO him: By the way, ontinued Mr.. Neil
fresh. at is little singular that just as this
subject came out that should have met Gen.
Emory. He Is getting quite weak and is nearly
blind. A few days since met him at the city
post Office, and when spoke he asked If was
one Of his Old soldiers. told him that was
not, but that / once had some business with
him, and related what I have told you as to
the militia In Maryland, when he said he re-