Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-10-14
THE SPY.


to be the original of Harvey Birch, the
hero of Coopers famous novel, was born
at Harwich, Mass, Jan. 4, 1850. About
the middle of the last century a 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
was Thomas Crosby the father of the
"Spy."
When the Revolution was fairly begun,
the colony of New York organized "pro-
vincial congress, which was the recog-
nized government. A committee of safety
was appointed, consisting Of John Jay,
Zethaniah Platt, William Duer and John
Saokett, whose duty it was to counterfeit
the plans and intrigues 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 headquarters 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 to 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 20 with him to his home and 60 down
to the British with a company then form
ing Seeing in this very favorable OPP
portunity to strike blow for his country,
he accepted the invitation and was soon
introduced to number of men who were
bitterly hostile to the friends Of liberty.
In three days he had made himself mas
tor 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 as possible to the house
of Mr.. Young, a we'll 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 secret
agent, and to this he agreed, only stipu-
lating that in case Of his death they should
do justice to his memory. He received q
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 ad-
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 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
to White Plains, and, informing the COM
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 ex-
animation the prisoners were returned to
temporary prison, but Crosby was secretly
informed that certain window was left
unfastened AS soon as darkness came he
awaited himself Of his information, leaped
from the window, and, although fired up
on by the sentinels, he was again at large
in region where he knew the roads per-
fectly.
Captain Townsend, who commanded
the company that captured him, was
much chagrined at his escape, as he was
considered by all except the committee a
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 skirlnish that ensued the
whole band was captured, and Captain
Townsend was overjoyed to find among
them the prisoner who had escaped him at
Fishkill. "Well met, old comrade, !" said
Townsend, with smile of triumph "You
showed us light pair of heels at Fishkill,
but If I do not see them made heavy this
time may never be a major"
Mr.. Duer, one Of the committee, who
was present, inquired innocently, "Who is
her" "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-