The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-05-19
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hy's doings. But on that subject desire
to neithe .aiffirm OF deny"
This remark of course closed the conver-
sation on that subject
"When did you last see Enoch CrosbyP'
| inquired.
SIN his extreme old age. He was called
as a witness in court held ut our City
Hall about 1927, think. The newspapers
had already coupled his name with that OF
Harvey Birch. An old gentleman who was
In the courtroom and had known Crosby
quite intimately, but supposed he was dead
recognized him before the opening of coult,
and they had mutual greetings. After
Crosbi had testified Lis old friend intro
ducod hi IN to the audience as the original
of Harvey Birch. Crosby was instantly
made famous, for the newspapers mentioned
this incident in the courtroom.
"Coopers Spy continued Mr. M
had lately been dramatized The manager
Of one of the theatres invited Mr.. Crosby
to attend performance two evenings af-
terward, when The Spy' was specially
presented for that occasion. Notice had
been given that the real spy would be pres
ent. The house was crowded. MI Crosby
was introduced to the audinece as Harvey
Birch, when he was saluted with rounds OF
applause and the waving of handkerchiefs. "
"Well do / remember the scene,r said
DIR. Francis, 'for l was present. Greatly
interested, called on Crosby the next day
at Washington hall, on the corner of
Broadway and Chambers street, when he
told me that he recognized in .he play some
of his own performances nearly fifty years
before. lie then seemed to be in robust
health. His figure was nearly six feet In
height and erect, his Shoulders were broad
and his mind was vigorous. He told me
he was eighty-one years of age"
MIR M related several stirring inc.-
dents in the career of Enoch Crosby as a
spy not mentioned by Barnum. bade
him adieu at ten O'Clock much gratitied
and edited by the interview.
Enoch Crosby's adventures as recorded
in the third person by Captain Barnum
were related by his own lips TO the com.
| piler | can give here only brief account
of a few OF them.
Crosby was native of Massachusetts,.
When he was little child his parents set
tied in the southeastern part of (present)
Putnam county, N T. His father was q
staunch Wing, and as Enoch grew to y Dung
manhood his patriotism was stimulated by
the events which Immediately preceded the
old Var for Independence He was a lus-
ty youth: learned the trade of a shoemaker,
and when the war broke ont he entered
the army destined to invade Canada in
i775. he sickened on Lake Champlaln
and went no further.
| H'estchester county abounded with
Tories, and in time became neutral
ground scourged by marauders from both
armies. When his health was restored
Crosby left his home to join detachment
OF the Army at Verplanck's Point. In a
lonely place just toward dusk on warn
day in September he fell in with an appar
ent gentleman, whom he soon discoyeret
to be Tory. Crosby Immediately con
ceiyed plan for the benefit OF his country
He pretended to be a TO- allst on the way tc
join the British army al New York. The
gentleman INVITED him TO tarry all night al
his house, saying that several of his neigh
bors were nearly ready to ''go down." ant
that it would be safer for him to 2,
with them than alone. Crosby readily as
sented. Tho next day he was introduced
to several of these young Tories, aud me-
a larger number of them at their usua
rendezvous that night. He learned theil
names, residences and plans. PRETENDING
TO be anxious TO reach New York speedily
he departed a.one, went to White Plain!
and revealed his discoveries to the Commit
tee of Safety sitting there-Messrs. Jay
Platt, Duer and Sackett. AT their request
he plloted party of rangers to the nest o.
Tories which he had just left, by whom
they were all arrested and taken to Whit,
Plains jails.
The Committee perceying how usefu
Crosby might be as an informer, employee
him as secret agent for the discoy
cry of Tories and their plans, agreeing t
do all in their power to protect him from
harm. Equipping himself with peddler'
pack filed with shoemaker's "klt," h,
started out on his perlous quest in the dis
guise Of a mechanic seeking work.
Crosby's first adventure was not far away
Just at sunset he was at the door OF a farm
house craving entertainment for the night
The farmers wife suspicious of eyerybod.
in those troublesome times, hesitated. In
quiring what was in his pack, Crosby tol,
her he was shoemaker, when she said h
might stay long enough to make her Johi
pair of shoes. Crosby, shrewdly suspec
ting he was among Tories, told her he wa
on his way to the British army to max
shoes for the soldiers, and that they wer
then approaching White Plains. She wa
delighted, and when her husband came II
she told him the good news. He greeted
Crosby warmly, and he was entertained a
friend of the royal cause. The next da.
he was introduced TO the captain of a com
pany nearly ready to join the British, an'
was shown by him a long muster roll
Crosby became the guest of the captain
that night, who revealed to his new recrui
all their plans.
Retiring early, when all was quiet Crosb.
left his bed, sped to White Plains, revealed
his discovery, aud returned before day
break. The following night the compan.
were all assembled at the captains house
Crosby was one Of the most active anon
them. Suddenly the tramp Of horses wa
heard and then a shout at the door
Surrender, or you are all dead men,"
Some fed TO the attic, some to the cellar
but all were arrested, taken to Whit
Plains, and then sent up the Hudson an
imprisoned in the Dutch church at FISH
| La.