The morning call., 1892-04-08
EX-CHIBF BROOKS.
A Famous Government Secret Ser
vice Detective in the City.
The Man Who Trailed Notorious Bond-Forgers.
The First to Interview President Gar
fields Assassin.

Colonel Brooks. who is associated with
Special Treasury Agent Gibson in witness
ing the boring operations ON thenew Post.
Office site. is an elderly gentleman OF
medium height wears black frock coat,
and is a very mild-mannered and quiet
spoken man. His hair is gray and so is his
mustache. He keeps his chin clean shaver
Colonel Brooks has fame that is national
He is no less than ex- Chief Brooks of the
Secret Service Division ofthe United States
Treasury Department. For twelve years
from 1874 TO 1SS6-Colenel Brooks directed
the operations of the national detective sys-
TEN which has It's headquarters in Washing
ton. lie could, If he were willing 20 relate
his experiences. recite as many blood
curdllng and thrilling adventures in the
pursuit and detection of noted criminals as
the famous Allen Plnkerton himself.
RUNNING DOWN BOND-FoRGERs.
During the time lie was in Office his force
had much to do in the detection of foreer,
OF Government bonds and eounterfeters %
celn. One of his most celebrated capture
during this period was that Of the notorious
Brockway brothers, who forged larg.
amount OF Government as well as railroad
bonds. Colonel Brooks arrested them In :,
house on one of the most fashionable thor
Oughfares Of New York City. 1t was a
this time that Martin, who had been a res
dent OF this city. was also taken with -
large number Of forged Morris and Essex
Railway bonds on his person, emerginE
from the Brockway residence ST.
WALL STREET WORKED UP.
The capture at the time was considered
one OF the cleverest in that line, as the
Secret Service officer had been Tor several
months following clewS which led to the
BrOckWayS. For a long time Wall street
was terribly worked up over the numerou,
aud dangerous forged securities which had
been put in circulation by these clever
rogues. All of them were convicted aud :hr
BrOckwayS sentenced TO long terms of inn
pr!SOnment Martin secured new trial Or
the ground that the forged bonds found in
his possession had not the signatures Of the
president and secretary and after the laps5
OF some time the indictment against him
was QuaShed. He is now living in this city
and is totally blind.
Colonel Brooks was also actively engaged
in the unear;hing of the famous whisky
conspiracy cases in st. Louis, which created
so intense sensation throughout the whole
country. AT this time he was connected
With the Internal Revenue Department
A NIGHT WITH GUITEAU.
He was chief of the Secret Service Division
at the time President Garfield was asSas-
sinated and was the first mau allowed to in
terview the assassin Gulteau in his cell.
The night President Garfield was shot
story gained currency at headquarters that
| and had killed Mr.. Garfield by their orders.
Al a meeting of the Cabinet the same night
Brooks was called in and instructed to in
vestigate tue report. He at once proceeded
TO the Jail and remained all that night ia
the cell with Guiteau. Next day lie r.
ported his conclusions. which were that he
ala not believe there was word of truth IN
the story. Gulteau raved all that night and
| harped on the one idea that he would be p
| pointed Minister to England or to some
| other great mission as reward Tor lis
| bloody and horrible work.
| AN INCIDENT AT THE TRIAL.
On the trial Of the assassin Colcne,
| Brooks was one of the principal witnesses
| against him. He had related the whole
| story OF this midnight interview amidst
| breathess silence and when he was through
| Guiteau's counsel began to question him.
| The first word was no sooner out OF his
mouth before Guiteau seized his lawyer by
the coattail and shouted, sit down; every
word that Brooks has said is true"
| Colonel Brooks was great friend OF See
| rotary Window, who had the most iInplici;
| confidence in his integrity, judgment ana
| courage When Cleveland was elected Pres
| ident he rendered his resignation, but it was
| not accepted until two years later Chief
| Drummond, who is now at the head of the
Secret Service Division, was for many years
! a subordinate under him and it was on the
| recommendation Of Colonel Brooks that
| Mr. Drummond was promoted. Colonel
| Brooks thinks he is the best man ever al
| pointed to that office and that as q great de-
| tective lie has not his peer in the United
| States. Colonel Brooks is still employed as
q special agent i'll the same division. The
examination OF mud bOrings is. however.
| not altogether to his taste. He thinks he
never struck a less exciting nor more
| tedious task.