The morning call., 1894-07-17
A SPY ARRESTED.
Josie. the Switchman, Caught i'm a
Naval Uniform.

Mililamen at the Peralta-street yards
are being treated to a taste Of actual war
fare. Not only are their bayouets and sa-
beers In frequent use, but yesterday after
noon real live spy was captured. he
was dressed in the uniform of the naval
battalion and tried 10 get inside the lines
to learn the state of affairs. and probably
incidentally to do as much mischief as
possible. He got inside the line of pickets
all right, but was challenged by sentry
inside the lines. He could Tot tell to
what company he belonged. AS he had
not the CATERS, gun or cartridge-belt of
the battalion on duty something was at
once suspected. Not being able to give
his company when challenged he was
placed under arrest. The various COM
panies were mustered and all dlsowned
the stranger. He was at once escorted by
Captain Bumen berg to the tent of Lieu
tenant-Colonel Dennis Geary, command
ing in Oakland, and examined by a board
of officers. His accounts were >contradic-
tory, and, besides, the railroad officials
recognized him as switchnan 49, by name
Williams. who had been working in the
yards for twelve years.
"DO you know what your punishment
may be ?" said Colonel Geary. sternly.
mo. sir" sobbed the spy, who was she'd
ding tears.
"This is martial law" retorted the colo
mel, land you are liable to be taken out
at sunrise and shot as spy"
The spy began TO sob and weep and pro-
test his innocence.
"Take him to the guardhouse and see he
: 4 HoJ
the spy was taken and locked up, where he
will be kept for many days.
For once the railroad officials were
wrong in the Identification Of the spy. His
name is not Williams. He is no less then
Teddy Josie. the president of the Switch
mems Union and one of the leaders OF the
strike. He volunteered to do the spy act.
but his comrades tried to dissuade him.
He refused to listen to reason and donned
suit of men-of-war's mans clothes.
owned by an ex- United States sailor among
the strikers. He dyed his mustache, which
is usually mouse coiored, to a black. and
after a clean shave esSayed TO learn the
secrets of the militia. When charged with
being a spy Josie broke down and pre-
tended to cry, disclaiming all the time that
he was not a spy. He was, however. recog-
niZed despite his alterations in appearance.
The fact that striker would undertake
to get inside the militia lines to learn the
secrets OF the place shows to what extent
the American Railway Union men are pre-
pared to 60 AS a matter of fact their svs-
TEN of espionage Is perfect and Joste's
escapade is only one feature of their eff
forts.
By the time the arrest of Jost had be-
come known in all quarters the deadly
rumor began getting in its work. Ten
sticks of dynamite, the flying story had il,
were found on his person and he had
gained entrance. to the encampment for
the sole purpose OF blowing it to smithe
reens.
Then TO round off the rumor it was
gently added the prisoner would be taken
out and shot at sunrise. Old men shook
their heads at the news and young men
said the militia had no right to do it. Old
women wished curses on the heads and
hands that would carry out such meas
ure. while young women looked sad and
said, 1.-The poor man. sAin't it shame?"
But not one of them doubted the dyna-
mite or the execution at sunrise.
The picket lines we're doubled and drawn
closer in as night descended and camp
fires cleaned along the tracks, with Jost
still in the guardhouse, and at last &C.