The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-08


than q passing thought to the hundred
or so inmates. most of them bent with
the weight Of declining years who are
seen here and there about the establish
mont. Willing away the long hours OF
the day in various ways, as their ply
BicNl condition VIII best permit. Some
OF these women, wives or mothers OF
those who fought In the late war. or
whose personal acts made them eligible
to q residence In the Home, have very
interesting life histories, says the Buf-
falo Express
One OF the most conspicuous and most
unAa8OminR old ladies in this institu-
tlOn Il Mrs. Elizabeth W. Stiles. the
subject OF this sketch. who has had an
experience that very few women In this
country can boast. A history Of her life,
with all It's exciting incidents, would
make a fascinating book In u recent
chat with Mrs. Stiles the following was
brought out.
she was born In East AshtAbulS. Ohio,
August q. 1915, Her father was John
,. Brown, Familiarity known as ''Curker'
Brown, who IL well remembered by
many OF the Old-tim0 residents OF to-
day. Miss Browns early life was not
very eventful. but as she neared the
state Of young woman-hood she became
QulN6 AIOkGu AOE wv uNA0AllbllSAlAllNAlA.s
One was her success as a nurse, and
mOrS than one person gave her credit
for saving their lives. The other was
her ability to make cheese Just little
better than others were able TO make,
and Hhe has received IS Il day to teach
Others her way OF doing II.
Murder Of Hsr Husband.
At the age Of tWenty-one she went to
Chicago. where she resided n number OF
years. In lSt6 she was married to Jacob
stiles. and thirteen years later they took
up their residence in Shawneetown,
Kan, where. in October 1852, Mr.. Stiles
was murdered at his own gate by a
band Of 1e0 Euerrillas under command
OF the famous chiettRin, Charles GUAM
trell The rebels came dressed in blue
uniforms OF Union soldiers after mid
night, and the color deceived the Union
Gympathi4ers. and they were taken by
surprise. Mrs. Stiles had not yet re-
tired. but they got her husband out OF
bed and took him prisoner rs far Us the
gate, where their hloOdthirsty propen-
stiles got the better OF their judgment
and they Hhot him down before the eyes
Of his frightened wife. who stood on the
porch and witnessed the murder, At the
same time another rebel. with a revolt
yer In his hand, was about To shoot Mrs.
Stiles. but ouHntrell stopped his doing
60 under threat Of death. The widow
was allowed her liberty. but thereafter
was Borely prosecuted by syspRthiEsrB
until her residence there became abso.
lutely unsafe, and a company OF Union
soldiers was sent from the fort at Leav-
enWorth to escort her and her children
TO the fort for protection,
Commissioned a. . Spy.
Itwas not long after her admittance
TO the fort before she was called to
Washington by a letter from Gen. Lane.
which was also signed by President
Abraham Lincoln. Senator Marvin. Of
Missouri, and a company OF seventy
1--WE others were about 10 start for
Washington, and Mrs. Stiles accom-
panied them. Upon arrival there she
learned that she was sent for to take n
place In the service as a spy, and upon
her acceptance she received her instr1c-
tons. In a few months she returned to
LeavenWOrth for her children. Taking
them to Washington she placed two OF
them in school and took her daughter
Clara with her in the detective service
Of "Uncle Sam" All through the res
bellion she was in almost constant SER
service, and during the time did special
work in nineteen different states and
Canada, Drawing the hardshipS Of the
crude methods OF travel and the expos
ures to all kinds OF weather. for the love
ofcountry and hope Of ultimate revenge
for the murder OF her husband
She was personally acquainted with
many OF the noted generals, as her fre~
ouent changes from one locality TO an.
other brought her under their direction.
She faced death many times, and her
repeated escapes were generally due to
her ready wit and cool nerve. Therein
also lay a secret of her success as Il spy.
On one occasion. when she was arrested
at Jefferson City. Mo-. charged with be-
ing a SPY, and her horse was taken from
her as she was escorted TO Gen. Price
for trial, 40 well was she informed on
confederate affairs that she succeeded
n making the General believe she was
q rebel spy, and not only secured her
freedom. but was given a better horse
and firearms and sent on her way
A Vacancy ia the Picket Line.
One dark night when she and her
daughter were out on the Kansas-M Miss
ourI border, the daughter fell asleep on
her horse. and did not know when a
sentry RraSped Mrs. Stiles horse by the
head and attempted 10 arrest her. The
sound Of a pistol shot awOke the girl,
and before she had time TO wonder what
had happened her mother was again at
her side. but there was a vacancy In the
picket line.
The lady likes to tell how she directed
the capture Of Confederate cannon
and daughters to assist her. after whole
companies Of soldiers had made unsuc.
cessful attempts 10 get II.
In her exploits II not iufreduently be-
came necessary for the woman TO dress
the wounds OF fallen or disabled soldiers
and even amputations OF small nature
have fallen to her lot to perform. The
art OF shooting firearms, which her
father taught her in her early child
hood often served her we'll In her career
OF detective.
slant companion and faithful ally on
the mang pcrilous trips which that
woman was compelled to take and fear.
lessly shared the exposures and un-
pleasantness Of the expeditions.
Life Since the War.
After the close Of the war Mrs. Stiles
went from Washington to Geneva. Ohio.
and located, but she did not like the
town, and in 1865 went to Niles, Verango
county, Pa. where she resided with one
Of her girls until she entered the W. Il.
C.. home about aJyear ago.
Although the lady has passed her four
score Of life's mileStoneB. and notwlth-
standing the exposures she underwent
for love Of the Union she Is remarkably
well-prcserved and blessed with hap.
by disposition which Is boom to her
self and casts many ElAnces Of sunshine
among her associates. Her mind IL per-
fectIy clear and her recollection Of dates
and names II remarkable. She is just
~ proud OF the part she took In putting