The morning call., 1893-12-03
SERVED AS A SPY.
Pauline CusEman Dies a
Lonely Death.
SERVICES TO THE UNION.
Narrow Escape From Death by
the Halter.
HER ADVENTUROUS CAREER.
The Event That Turned Her From the
Stage to Secret Military
Service.
HER ADVENTUROUS CAREER.


died a lonely death in Market-street
lodging-house yesterday. 1t was Pauline
Cushman. who as spy thirty years ago
risked life and health and placed her neck
in the hangman's moose while serving in
the Union cause.
Appearances indicate that she died by
her own hand, though this is conjectured
more from the sad thoughts which she
has put 10 paper in rhyme than from the
circumstances surrounding her death.
For the past three years Mrs. Pauline
Fryer nee CushmaD) had made her home
with Mrs. Eliza Taylor, who keeps the
Leland House, Ills Market. Her means
were limited. yet she always had enough
to pay her room rent, and when money
was lacking TO pay for meals Mrs. Taylor
allowed her TO become one of the family,
so that she never came to absolute want.
This handsome, daring woman, who
during the war filed the country with her
fame. but died in obscurity, was born In
1888. Her life was a romance. She was
the daughter of Spanish refugee, who
became a tradesman in New Orleans,
where Pauline was born, and afterward
an Indian trader at Grand Rapids, Mich
As she grew to womanh0od the charms of
her person and the impressiveness of her
manners drew her irreSistlhly to the stage,
where for several years before the break
ing out of the rebellion she had been
great favorite. She continued very popular
until 1868. when her hlStTionic success was
was at its highest.
Early in June Of that year. while play
ing in Woods Theater. Louisville. KY, she
received many attentions from paroled
Confederate officers who were then at
Kentucky's chief city. With a desire of
making parade of secession sentiment
one OF the officers proposed to her to offer
in the midst of one of her parts toast to
jeff Davis and the Southern Confederacy.
Pauline Cushman consented TO do so,
and upon reflection it occurred to her tina
here was an admirable opportunity TO serve
her country and at the same time graf
ify her own love of romance and wild ad-
venture. She at once sought and obtained
an interview with Colonel Moore, the Pro-
vost Marshal, who, after serious conSulta.
ton, and after becoming convced of her
genuine loyalty. received her proposition
to enter the secret service of the United
States.
Miss Cushmah took the formal and
solemn oatn administered before entering
that hazardous branch of the service, ana
the following night on the stage at Woods
Iheater. while the eyes OF large audience
were 1xed uDon her in supper scene, she
pTOposed this astounding toast:
Here's to jeff Davis and the Southern
Cunfederacy; may the South always main
tain her honor and her rightsl"
The sentiment fell upon the audience
like bombs hell. All the Union persons
present were mortified and indignant,
while Southern sympathiZers were de-
lighted. Very prompt action was taken.
Miss Cushman was summarily dismissed
from the theatrical company and sent
South in the directionIof her "sympathies,"
TO be lionzed as victim of Yankee
tyranny.
She went to Nashville apd bad an inter
view with Colonel Truesdale, the chief of
the army police. who gave her minute in
structions as TO details of information
which she should endeavor to obtain
within the rebel lines. Thus equipped,
and with full confidence in her luck and
her mimetic talents, she started out on the
Hardin Pike, which leads from Nashville
TO Shelbyyille. Within a few days, and
amid a variety of adventures, she was
able 10 collect much valuable information,
with which she was about TO return to
Nashville WREN her run of good fortune
was changed for time, for suddenly while
staying at the house of a farmer she
found herself under arrest and was ush-
cred into the preseuce of that famous
guerrilla chieftain. John Morgan. He Of
Tered her numerous presents and posi-
ton as aid-dP-camp on his staff as soon as
she could be released. She rejected his
was given into the custody of General
Forrest, who was as rough as he was un-
ietteTed. He said when she was presented
10 him:
''Im really glad to see you. I've been
looking for you long time. but I've got
This last shuttle and intend to hold you.
You've been here before, take it; know
all the roads, don't you? and all the bride
paths, and even the hog paths, don't you?"
Pauline. drawing herself to her full
height and flashing indignant scorn from
her black eyes. exclaimed in tones which
would have set the gallery watching a
melodrama wild with delight:
Sir, every word you utter Is as false as
your own traitorous hearth I've never
been here before aud should like to send
bullet through the man who is mean
enough to make the charge"
Miss Cushman made her escape and per-
formed valuable services for the army po-
lice iE detecting thefts from Government
stores, trade in coDtrabands and the prac-
tees Of guerrilas. Subsequently she was
sent across the lines, 0stensibly as South.
ern sympathiZer, and was enabled TO gain
information Of the, strength of Confeder-
ate forces and Notifications. the extent of
supplies and their contemplated move
menis. Her knowledge of the roads of
Tennessee, Georgia. Alabama and Mssis-
sippi was of great service to the Army Of
the Cum berIand.
taken to The headquarters of General
Bragg and sentenced bv conrt-mariial to
be hanged as spy. She feigned serious
illness and thus postponed the execution.
When ali hope seemed fed. she was lying
On her cot ore morning wondering how
many days longer she could keep up her
illness. Suddenly she heard signs of COM
motion at headquarters. and before she
could learn what IL meant Bragg had
eyacuateG Shelbyville, leaving her behind.
She soon heard the sound of Union bugles
playing national airs and few moments
afterward Rosecrans' advance guard
reached her.
The fame of her adventures extended
over the country. General Garfield, in
consideration of her long service, suffer-
lug and danger in the Union cause aud of
TWO severe wounds received while en-
gagged the secret service, conferred on
Miss Cushman the rank aud title of major.
-Dy which she was afterward commonly
known. After the close Of the war she
Travelled accoutered as an officer.
Miss Cusnman won permanent place
In the annals OF the rebellion. Appleton's
Cyciopedla OF American Biography has
.I.a \