The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-21

Ldlcis hdhSdS Dlau Has put Oul Il
book which will not be failure. 1t is
called (rather fippantly to be surel,
/ In 1t. Beneath that title Is pair of
| handouts in explanation of the two
words. 1t doesn't look as the average
{ Kansas book product does, either. 1t is
printed at the Riverside press and is as
neat and as modern as one OF Frank
Stockton's latest.
The work which is emblazoned with
the criminals jewelry is by Colonel II.
c. Whitley of Emporia. Colonel Whit
leys book is about the work of guarding
society from the depredations of Grim
inals. He knows his subject thoroughly
because he was long the chief of the
secret service division of the United
States treasury. He it was VINO brought
the Ku-Kiux to earth. In other ways
his experience has been marvellous. He
was with Ben Butler at New Orleans
and his descriptions of his detective
work at that time are unique from liz
erary standpoint and valuable in histor-
zeal interest. HIS great warefare on
the counterfeiters of New York CITY;
his untiring energy in entrapping them
and finally wiping them out altogether
are intense stories, free from fictional
clap-trap and heightened by strict and
rigorous adherence to the truth.
The story Colonel Whitley tells is
strange throughout. The work of a
detective is behind the screen which
shuts out the public gaze. 1t brings the
vlgilant officer into corners where only
the quickest wit and the coolest iudg-
men: can extricate him. 1t drags him
into the dens of fragrant vice and red
handed crime and leads him oft-times,
| in the strangest manner, from these
novels direct to the gilded palace where
the cloaked hypocrite plays saint to an
unsuspecting work.
Colonel Whitley's long experience has
marked his book. His keen study of
men is reflected in the stern sincerity of
every line he has written. Like the
thorough officer his sharp eye penetrates
all fraud and guile and he strikes the
truth with an alacrity that suggests ill.,
tuition.
His stories are all interesting. One of
the best is found near the end of the
work. 1t relates to a fraud which was
practiced at the expense of General
Grant.
Colonel Whitley writes: "a pretended
Methodist minister, assuming the name of
Rev. j. Hale Barney, concocted one of the
boldest and most ingenious swindles that
has ever been devised in this country.
There were three persons engaged in the
scheme, all making their headquarters in
Washington. The affair involved the for |
gerry of the name of President Grant and |
OF General Babcock, his private secretary |
To lay the foundation for the swindle cir |
culars were sent to nearly all the postmas- |
tiers throughout the south and west asking |
for contributions:
Confidential Circular No H.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April j, 1873 |
The annexed conversations are SUBJ |
mftted to the friends of the president in |
confidence. Our friends can address Rev. |
j. Hale Barney, VINO Is temporary secre-
scientiOus convictions against c0ntribut-
ing need only silently decline. The presi-
dent has acted III good faith and conf
IDENTIFY relies on an active and cheerful as
slstance. Suppose nothing had been done
and the state of affairs existing in Louis
would haye been the result? Read care
fully the presidents views and act as your
Judgment dictates. Remember that this
subject is confidential and known only to |
three persons besides the president aud
that whatever is sent should be Ia cur
rency and in the enclosed envelope.
Very respectfully,
o. i. BABCOCH, Secretary.
Colonel Whitley here gives the pur-
ported conversations between President
Grant and his secretary, in which the
president Is made to say that Senator
Oliver =. Morton, of Indiana, had mott.
fled him that a conspiracy has been
formed to overrun Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio and to keep the colored vote from
the polls in the south. The president is
made to say that he can get the money
with which TO combat this conspiracy,
from Mr. Cook, and months later the
following conversation Is said TO have
taken place:
Additional conversation March "a, 1873.
Secretary-Mr. President, have You de-
termined how you will reimburse Mr.
Cook for the money furnished last Octo-
berl
President-Yes, ! have. The bishop has
suggested Rev !. Hale Barney 10 act as
secretary IN the matter. Appoint him i'm
mediately, and a. our mails are large, and
go To the clerks to be arranged and briefed |
before we see them you will have all let
ters on the subject sent to him Cali upon
our friends ana allow no one to coutri-
butte over SO, and, to prevent publicity I
and trouble, direct the remittance TO be ! ,
made by n single ten~doEar note.
Colonel " hitney continues: At the re- c
quest Of the president | turned his case /
over to "A couple of detectives with instruc- !
tons. Ia reality the Rev. Hale Barney |
was q myth, a man OF straw, who
had been set up by one Colonel Benjamin | [
:. Pardee and TWO Contederates. One '
Sutton aud one Mexican were tie parties =
with whom he was connected Some OF /;
OF these circulars had been sent 10 the
President by the posgmasters, the intend
ed victims OF the swindleFs. Beyond this
nothing was known.
II was found that's lady who had fur J.
oished rooms TO rent al No. 40 SIKH :
street had. some tine prior to the dis
coyery of the fOrge-ies. received letter q
from a man who signed himself J. Hale {
Barney. He said he was a Methodist :
minister aud that he would lie aose q y
a good part Of the time from the city AT "a
lending TO the duties OF his circuit Iae 80
madam was only too glad 70 rent hsT room | 7
to such nice man. \ months rent wa>
sent in advance through the mails. 4 4
.runk with an spertrre ia its top was for :
Ssrdec bS express. A.! the mali addressed 4
% the Rev. Mr.. Myth was % be dropped | :
through the hole IN the top OF this trunk 3
pending the arrival OF bis reverence. The ! .
BACK room next TO the one engaged By The | 4
mythical minister was already occupied by /
! quiet and unObtTGsiye gentleman There
vas also nice young maa occupying
Dom upstairs. He was aiwsys busy writ
ng and 10 one knew when be came 90
vent out After few days the detectives s
- YER 4 ~ nj