The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-26

an investigation of his books was I'm
progress. He leaves a wife and large
family
Lieutenant Smiths suicide closes one
of the most remarkable careers in the
United states army. From the posi-
tion of a telegraph operator in a small
town in Virginia he became a private
corporal, sergeant and lieutenant in the
army in as many days as there were
promotions. When General Myer or
ganized the signal corps OF the army
telegraphy was decided to be one of
the most important branches Of signal
ing to be taught to the young men
forming The corps. They were destined
to serve at frontier posts, where they
were to make tri-daily Geographic re-
ports on the condition of the weather
and a knowledge of telegraphy was de-
sirable IL not actually necessary Swift
had considerable local reputation as a
telegrapher, and to secure his services
as an instructor he was enlisted in the
corps and promoted from day to day
until he attained the rank of second
lieutenant. After joining the corps and
beginning his work as instructor he de-
voted himself TO the study of electric
ity and telegraphy, becoming one of the
most skilful operators that the world
has ever known and an author on the
subject
There were a lot of fancy tricks in
sending and receiving messages that
Swift used to do. one OF them was to
take two messages at the same time.
He could write equally well and beau
tifully with either hand, and could take
message from one instrument, writ
ing IL out with his left hand while he
copied another message with his right
He could also send n message with one
hand while he received another mes
sage, copying il with the other hand.
In la.a L.,
the signal corps Swift never met his
match but once. That was when
young fellow that looked like a typical
cowboy applied for admission to the
corps. In answer TO the questions as
to whether he understood anything
about biography the young fellow an
swered that he could receive 40 words
a minute without being very busy. He
was sent into another room which had
Geographic communication with the
main office. for Swift TO test his ability.
At first Swift sent the young fellow 20
words a minute. then 30. When Swift
broke in and asked the young fellow If
he was getting * all right he an
swered: 20. X, but hurry up; / haven't
much time to fool away" Then the
pace was increased to 40 words and,
after keeping this up for five minutes
the applicant broke i'm and said IF
you can't send any faster than that
you had better quit"
He was employed. and in less than a
year ran away with the receipts of a
government office I'm Arizona
The most remarkable feature of
Lieutenant Swift's career in the army
is that il has been well known among (
army people for Is years that he was
short in his accounts During that
period he has been robbing Peter to pay
Paul, and had been VIGOROUSLY hard
up. For several months he was sta
toned at Fort Myer, on the Robert T. /
Leo estate, opposite Washington, /
and during that time he had trouble |
every month explaining shortages i'm /
army accounts, and he borrowed money !
of all the men in the command that /
could loan il to him. He had no bad ,
habits. He never drank. gambled or |
used tobacco.