The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-23
THE SPY.


at Harwich, Mass, Jan. A, 1850. About
the middle of the last century very ex-
tensive migration took place from Barn
stable county, Mass, to the tract known
as the ''Oblong," in the eastern part Of
New York, and among the new settlers
wasA Thomas Crosby, the father of the
Spy
When the Revolution was fairly begun,
the colony of New York organized a PRO
viTcia1 congress- - which was the recog-
nized government. A committee Of safety
was appointed, consisting of John Jay,
Zethaniah Platt, William puer and John
Saekett whose duty it was to counteract
the plans and intfigues of the Tories who
abounded and embraced many men Of high
standing and influence. Resolving TO en-
ter again the service of his country Cros-
by shouldered his knapsack and took his.
way to the headq narters of the American
army
While on his lonely walk through West
chester county he fell in with Tory, who
supposed Crosby to be one also, on his way
to join the British, and the stranger eau
toned him as 70 the dangers of the~way,
'as rebels were on the alert Crosby,
with affected concern, inquired what course
would be best to pursue and was advised
to go with him to his home and go down
to the British with a company then form
ing. Seeing in this very favorable OPP
poFtunity to strike a blow for his country,
he accepted the invitation and was soon
introduced to a number of men who were
bitterly hostile to the friends of liberty.
In three days he had made himself mas
ter of all the Information they could COM
municate, and pretending to be impatient
to join the enemy, and despite many warn
ings, he took his leave and was soon out
of sight on the road to New York. Has
tening as quickly possible to the house
of a Mr.. Young, well known patriot,
they went together to White Plains, where,
the committee of safety was then sitting,
and were soon in the presence of Judge
John Jay and his associates. Crosby was
instructed to go as guide to company Of
rangers, and the result was that the whole
of the Tory gang were arrested.
Judge Jay, seeing his peculiar ability,
urged him to serve his country as a secret
agent, and to this he agreed, only stipu-i
1ating that in case of his death they should
do justice to his memory. He received a
pass which he was instructed never TO
show except in case of dire necessity.
In any battle or skirmish he was to run
the risk of being killed or wounded, but
it was expressly understood that if he was
taken prisoner the committee would fur,
nish means for his escape. His real adj
ventures would make a volume far larger
than the famous novel that purports to re-
late them.
Equipped with a peddler's pack, con-
tanning a complete set of shoemaker's
tools, he sailed out on his dangerous mis-
sion and soon found a company of Tories
about to join the British and resolved to
be one of them. Gaining the confidence
of the leader, he was conducted to the hid
ing place of the company, which was in
the interior of an immense haystack.
While the rest were asleep Crosby fastened
~. ~.
mittee, returned Immediately before his
comrades had learned of his absence. The
result was the capture of the entire com,
pany, Crosby among the rest. After ez-
animation the prisoners were returned to
the church in FishkiII which was their
temporary prison, but Crosby was secretly
informed that a certain window was left
unfastened. As soon as darkness came he
availed himself of his information, leaped
from the window, and, although fred up
on by the sentinels, he was again at large
in a region where he knew the roads per-
fectIy
Captain Townsend, who commanded
the company that captured him, was
much chagrined at his escape, as he was
considered by all except the committee
very dangerous Tory. His next exploit
was the discovery of another company
which was recruited by British officer
and had their rendezvous in the high
lands on the west of the Hudson river.
He soon found means to send word to the
committee, who quickly dispatched Cap
tain Townsend with his company of ran
gers. In the skirmish that ensued The
whole band was captured, and Captain
Townsend was overjoyed to find among
them the prisoner who had escaped him at
FishkilI. 'Weu met, old conra6e, - said
Townsend, with smile of triumph. ''You
showed US light pair of heels at Tishkill,
but if 1 do not see them made heavy this
time may never be major.
Mr.. Duer, one of the committee, who
77as present, inquired innocently, Who is
he?'' ''Enoch, the patriarch, - returned
Townsend, ''who disappeared from the
church at Fishkill almost as mysteriously
as his ancient namesake did from the
earth
Crosby and all the rest were taken to
} Fishkill, but while the others were confn-
| ed in the church Crosby was taken to
! house where Captain Townsend had his
! quarters, and who was fully determined
! that he should not escape again, and, to
make sure, had him confined in TOOTH
! strongly fastened, with a guard at the
| door. The committee were at first in
! doubt how to effect his escape, but finally
! they procured a quantity of laudanun,
and this having been mixed with a suita-
BILE quantity of New England rum and mo-
| lasses the guard was literally treated with
| the mixture. It's effect was soon apparent,
/ the door was carefully unlocked, and
| Enoch Crosby was soon at large with fresh
instructions.
! When morning came, and Captain Town
send came early, eager to conduct his pris-
oner to condign punishment what was
/ his amazement to find the room empty and
/ the prisoner downl The guard was qJes-
/ toned; but, like the soldiers who guarded
ST. Peter, they could tell nothing" and
finally, after long debate, it was conclud-
ed that he must nave crawled up the CHM
ney His numerous escapes finally made
the Tories suspicious, and an attempt was
made to assassinate him. which came near
being successful.