The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-01
xBTLfrY As TELLGRAPHER.
Remarkable Feats Performed by the Late
Lieut.. swift.

First Lieut.. Swift. OF the Ninth Caval-
~ United States Army, committed SUI
eide a Fort Robinson, NeD., on Ihurs-
day morning by shooting himself through
the heart. lie had been post eNchahbe
and acting commissary officer. during
the past week he was relieved or poth
duties and an investigation OF his DOCKS
was in progress. He leaves VIE ana
large family.
Lieut. Swifts suicide closes one OF the
most remarkable careers In the Julted
States army. From the position OF zee
graph operator, in a small town IN VIZ
giula he became a private, corporal, ser
geant, and lieutenant in the army IN as
many days as there were .romotlohs
When Gen. Myer organized the slhnai
cOrps Of the army, telegTdpny was otclu-
ed 10 be one OF the most important
branches OF signalling 10 be taught 10 the
young men who were to form the cores
They We're destined 10 serve at frontier
posts, where they we're 10 make tit-
daily Geographic reports on the cohi.-
ton OF the weather, ana kho"leuse Vt
telegranhv was desirable, IT not a-tut.ll
necessary. Swift had consldefaple ioeai
reputation as telegrapher, ana 10 see
cure his services as an instructor ne was
enlisted i'm the corps, and promoted from
dav 10 day until he attained the RANK OF
second lieutenant. After joining the corps
and beginning his work as Instructor ne
devoted himself 20 the study OF electric
itv and telcgraphy. becoming one OF me
most skiilful operators that the WoIld
had ever known. and an author on the
There were a lot Of fancy tricks In
sending and receiving messages that
swift used To do. one OF them was 70
take two messages at the same the. iit
could write equally well aud peauululs
with either hand. and could take a mes
sage from one instrument, writing IL out
with his left hand, WINE ne cypl'u ~
other message with his right; ne c1uiu
also send "A message with one hand, WINE
with the other hand. In the years INN
he was instructor in ttleeraphf loI tHt
signal corps. Swift never met DIS mae II
but once That was Wncu young t'i-
low that looked Ike typical COWBOY
anulfod for admission 10 the CORPS III
answer TO the question as 70 whether ne
understood anything about telegiaphyt
the Young fellow answered that he could
receive forty words "A minute without pc
ing very busy. He was sent INTO announcer
room which had Geographic communica-
ton with the main Office, for swirl 20
test his ability. At first Swift sent tue
Young fellow about twenty words hil-
ME then thirty When Swift broke IN
and asked the Young fellow il he was get
ting IL an right. he answ cred; 20. ~,
lint hurry up I haven't much time 70
fool away" Then the pace was incredstH
10 forty words. and, after keeping Iile
No for five minutes, the applicant DivNt
I'm. and said III you can't seno fiis
faster than that. you had better duit
He was employed. and in less than a
wear ran away with the receipts or d
government office ia Arizona
The most remarkable feature OF LOU.
Svift's career i'm the army is that II mas
been well known among army people TOT
fifteen years that he was short IN ms ac-
counts During that period. he mas neen
robbing Peter 10 pay Paul and mas been
VIGOROUSLY hard up For seLerai mont NJ
he was stationed at Fort Myer, on the
Robert +. Lee estate. opposite Washing
ton. and during that time he had trouble
every month explaining shortages III
~ an the men in the command that
could loan IL TO him. He had no bad
habits. Tie never drank. gambled, OF
used tobacco.-Chicago lnter-Oceah'