Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-16
MISTAKEN FOR A SPY.
Narrow Escape of a Virginian from
Atlanta VigiIantes.
From the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.


From the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.
The first blood spilled in Georgia during
the war was right here in Atlanta. There
was no battle, not even riot, but it was
very serious affair at the time. Patriot
ism was at the bottom of it--patriotism
and apples.
TWAS inthe early part of '61, Just before
the State seeded, or a little later. We
were in regular stew in those days. So
many startling rumors were a1oat that
even the most conservative of our citizens
felt it their duty to keep a sharp watch on
suspicious looking strangers.
Atlanta was then about one-third its
present size. People knew each other,
and it was an easy matter to spot
stranger. Visitors who were here for
day or two were in the habit of spending
much of their time in reading room an
neXed to a publishing house on Alabama
street. The reading room was on the Sec
Ond floor, and was furnished with desks
running around the apartment. There
were no chairs, and the readers had to
stand up. At this place several abolition
lists were spotted while the secession eX-
element was at it's height. Their ap-
pearance drew attention, and patriotic
citizens were readily found who made 1T
a point to lounge about the room while the
suspects were present. In every instance
the simple abOlitionists gave themselves
away. They eagerly devoured the South
ern papers, especially those from South
Carolina, and from time to time.cOpled in
their note books such choice extracts as
thew thought could be used to advantage
in the North. After stutHng themselves
with information these pilgrims were
quietly taken in charge by a committee
and conducted to a secluded place where
they were searched and Intercepted. 1t
speaks we'll for the community that there
was no resort to violence. In every case
the offensive interlopers were given a
chance to leave town, and they never failed
to 90 without delay.
One case, however, was peculiarly cal
culated to excite bad feeling and provoke
violence. We were just drifting into
war. We dreaded the secret work of
spies and cranks of the John Brown
stamp. 1t seemed that self-preserYation
demanded vigilance and decisive action.
1t was whispered around the hotels one
rainy afternoon that Yankee abolitionist
had been in the reading room nearly all
day, reading the papers and taking copi-
GUS notes. What settled the matter was
the fact that be wrote his notes in a kind
of shorthand or cipher that could not be
understood by several patriots who had
been sufficiently public-spirited to peep
over his shoulder. When this came out
there was general indignation. Those
who had seen the stranger swOre that he
was q Yankee. His pink and white COM
plexion and his brogue made that plain.
Gradually stray citizens dropped into
the reading room until there was a con-
siderable crowd. The spy, with singular
stupidity, continued his work. He whis-
Al. 4 , ID mi liz, -,
scribble in his nOLe book. Finally Just
about dusk, he put up his book and
turned with the videntintentiOn of leaY-
ing. BY that time everything had been
arranged. The spectators stood some Of
them in the room and the others in the
hall leading TO the stairway. A young
man approached the suspect, who, BY the
way, was good-looking, mild-faced
youth, and said with an air of authority:
stSir, we know who you are, and we
know your business here. If you will 20
with us quietly, it will be better for you"
IL is easy now TO see what was the mat
ter with the stranger. He was simply
dumbfOupded, paralyzed, as IL were. I'm
fortunately this was against him. II was
mistaken for the brazen seh-pOssession Of
a malignant enemy.
.sCome, SIR" SAID the leader OF the citi-
zens' committee, "we do not desire to use
force"
The prisoner said not a word. A des-
perate glare dashed from his eyes, bis face
hardened and he suddenly backed into a
corner.
''Look outp exclaimed two or three
voices.
The warning was not a second too
early. The man thrust his right behind
him.
This action was entirely unexpected.
Nobody had dreamed that this public enc
my would have the madness In the very
heart OF the South TO attempt resist
ance in the face Of a score OF determined
men.
Hes drawing a plstolw shouted n
dozen citizens.
Two or three yelled "murder," several
volunteered the statement that they were
going for the police, and the entire crowd
backed precpitately into the dark hall,
where they came In contact with the out
siders who were doing their best 10 get into
the room. In half minute thebewiidered
members OF the crowd were pummelling
each other, pulling hair and yelling In the
most bl0od.curdiing way imaginable.
Zach man expected n bullet In his back
from the mysterious outlaw, and At the
same time he was afraid Of being knitted by
the latest c0nore, who appeared 20 be in-
capable 81 understanding the situation.
80. with wells, cries and curses riYniinR
panlomlnlum, the Yigllantoe struggled ia
the gathering darkness " fte stairway,