The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-08

she allowed her scholars to repeat the lib
erty-pole parade, she might expect a coat
of tar and feathers. 1t was well-knoVyn
fact that Mrs. Stiles had aided the union
in several instances by little jobs of de-
tective work. which accounted for the
particular spite against her
1t was not long after her admittance to
Fort Leavenworth that she was called to
Washington by a letter from Gen. Lane,
which was also signed by President Abra-
ham Lincoln. Senator Marvin, of Missouri.
and company of seventy-five others were
about to start for Washington, and Mrs
Stiles accompanied them. Upon arrival
there she learned that she was sent for to
} take place in the service as a spy and
I upon her acceptance she received her in
structions. 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 detecting service of
the government. All through the civil war
she was in almost constant service, and
during the time did special work in nine
teen different states and Canada, brav-
ing the crude methods of travel and the
I exposure to all kinds of weather for love
of country and hope of ultimate revenge
for the murder of her husband.
She was personally acquainted with
many of the noted generals, as her fire.
quent changes from one locality to an
other brought her under their direction
She faced death many times, and her re-
peated escapes were generally due 20 her
ready wit and cool nerve. Therein also
lay the secret Of her success as a spy.
On one occasion she was arrested at
Jefferson City Mo-, charged with being a
spy. Her horse was taken from her and
she was escorted to Gen. Price for trial
So well was she informed on confederate
affairs, however. that she succeeded in
making the general believe that she was a
confederate spy, and not only did she Sc
cure her freedom but she was given a bet
ter horse and firearms and sent on her
way.
One dark night when Mrs. Stiles and
her daughter were out on long ride on
the Kansas Missouri border the daughter
fell asleep on her horse. They were riding
thus when a sentry grasped Mrs. Stiles
horse by the head and attempted to arrest
her. The sound Of 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.
Mrs. Stiles likes 10 tell how she directed
the capture OF a confederate cannon one
dark night with only her husband and
daughters 10 assist her. and after whole
companies Of soldiers had made unsuc-
cessful attempts to get It,
In her exploits IL not infrequently be-
the wounds OF soldiers and even amputa-
tons Of small nature have fallen to her
lot to perform. The shooting Of firearms.
which her father taught her IN her early
childhood, served her well in her career
OF detective.
After the close OF the war Mrs. Stiles
went from Washington TO Geneva. but she
did not like the town, and In 1865 went to
Niles, Pa, whore she resided with one of
her daughters until she entered the Wo-
mans Relief Corps Home about a year
ago.
Although Mrs. Stiles has passed her
four-score milestone and notwithstand-
ing the exposure she underwent during the
civil war. she is remarkably well preserv-
ed and blessed with a happy disposition.
which Is "A boon to herself and casts many
CLEANS Of sunshine among her associates.
Her mind is perfectly clear, and her ready
recollection Of dates and names IS re-.
markable. She Is proud OF the part she
took In putting down the confederacy.
ami Will sit for hours and relate occur
rcnces which never tire her listeners
Within a year she has dictated manuscript
FOR a large book, which she will have pub
nshed.
This remarkable woman has never borne
children, but has raised thirty girls to