The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-08
WAS A GOVERNMENT SPY.
Remarkable Career of Elizabeth |
stiles. of Ohio.

stiles, of Ohio.
Ashtabula Correspondent Chicago Record.
The casual visitor to the Woman's Re-
lief Corps Home, at Madison, o., Is likely
to pass through the institution and admire
its generally convenient arrangement, and
the neat, tidy manner in which it is kept,
giving no more than passing thought TO
the hundred or more inmates, most of them
bent with the weight of declining years.
who are seen here and there about the
establishment, willing away the long hours
of the day in various ways as their physi-
cal condition will best permit. Some Of
these women, wives or mothers of those
who fought in the late war, or whose per
sonal acts made them eligible to resi-
dence in the home. have very interesting
life histories.
one of the latest conspicuous and most
unassuming old ladies in this institution
is Mrs. Elizabeth w. Stiles, who has mad
an experience that probably not another
woman in the country can boast. A his
tory of her life, with all it's exciting Incl
dents, would make a fascinating book. In
a recent chat with Mrs. Stiles, the follow
ing interesting brief of her life was
She was born in East Ashtabula, o., on
Aug. 2l, 1916 Her father was John F.
Brown, who is well remembered by many
of the old-ume residents to-day. Miss
Browns early life was not very eventful,
but as she neared the state Of young wo-
manhood she became quite noted for two
accomplishments-one was her success as
a nurse the other was her ability TO make
cheese just a little better than others were
able 20 make.
AT the age Of p Miss Brown went 10
Chicago. where she resided a number Of
years In 1916 she was married TO Jacob
Stiles, and thirteen years later they took
up their residence I'm Shawneetown, kas,
where, In October, 1862, Mr.. stiles was
murdered at his own gate by band OF 100
guerrillas under command OF the famous
chieftaiu, Charles Quantrell.
The guerrillas came dressed in the blue
uniforms OF tho union soldiers. after mill
night and the color deceived tho union
sympa thizers. They were taken by sur
prise Mrs. stiles had not yet retired,
but they got her husband out OF bed, and
took him prisoner as far as the gate,
where their hloodthirsty propensities got
the better of their judgment, and hey
shot him down before the eyes OF his
frightened Wife who stood on the porch
and witnessed the murder At the same
time another guerilla, with revolver IN
his hand, was about 60 shoot Mrs. stiles
but Ouantreu stopped him. under threat
Of death. The widow was allowed her
liberty, but thereafter was sorely perse-
cutcd 10y sympathizers until her residence
in Shawneetown became absolutely un-
safe. company OF union soldiers was
sent from the fort at Leavenworth to es.
cort her and her children to the fort for
protection
At one time. when she was teaching
school In Shawucotown. she and neigh.
boring school teacher arranged a picnic
for the pupils. Before leaving the VII
lage the pupils marched around the liO-
etty pole Ia the village square. waving
the stars and stripes. Then they went TO
4 grove short distance out OF town Tor
days recreation. whore they were
scarcely settled when a man rode up and
handed Mrs stiles note departing with
out a word, The note Informed her that II