The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-01-30

Escape Of Joe Peevy, Confederate
Spy, from Springfield Jail.

Springfield, Mo. tie began the practic
Of medicine in the little village Of til
Ozark Mountains away back before tn
war, when wolves and panthers were NOR
numerous than hOmesteaders Throughout
the White River region.
When the war came on DR.. Barrett pos
sessed an extensive practice, and, thougl
sympathizing with the South, did no
actively espouse the cause Of the COnied
eracy, and thereby escaped much of tn
partisan hostility which prevailed alonl
the Missouri frontier from the spring .
1851 till long after the surrender OF Lee
lie ren.a ned at home most Of the time
during the great civil conflict and visitet
the sick OF both parties, and saw thu
Union and rebel forces strive for master!
ON the Ozark plateau. The war in south
west Missouri was very irregular aud
market by many merciless features. From
Springfield to the Arkansas line partisan
bands, known as Union Home Guards snt
rebel bushwhackers, raided constantly
and kept the country 10 perpetual terror
Mingled with this cruel system of war
fare were some deeds of lofty courage
ind loyal friendship, whose recital to- day
days, and relieves with cOlOring of 70
nance many OF the harsh events Of thu
fatal strife in the Ozark mountains. Tit
women of Southwest Missouri bore re
markable part in the war. They were
intense partisans, and supported their
respective sides with most unseltish de.
votion. There was no peril that the
mothers, wives, daughters and sweet
hearts Of the Missouri mountaineers
would not face in order to aid one OF
their friends in arms. They stayed al
home while the men fought; planted
cultivated and often harvested the crops
dividing, when called upon, the last crust
of bread with any hungry champion OF
their chosen flag.
In 1868 DIR. Barrett assisted the widow
of rebel soldier in releasing an alleged
Southern spy from the Springfield Jail in
a very unique manner. The story re-
NAMED one of the secrets of the war for
years, and only few days ago the Doctor
consented to give all the details If the
affair.
Joe Peevy, q prominent citizen of LAW
renee County, Mo-, who had not taken up
arms for the South, went to Springfield
in the fall Of 1868, and was arrested as a
rebel spy. He was tried by an insignifi-
cant court.martiai and found guilty on
very slight evidence. The day Of the ex
ecution was fixed about two weeks from
the date of the sentence, and the prisoner
went back to tho Jail to await his doom.
AKausas cavalry Colonel had command
Of the Springfield post at that time, and
the young officer made his headquarters
at the pleasant residence of Mrs. Theo
dosia Smith, bright widow connected
by marriage with one of the leading fam.
lies Of Springfield. The town then was
small, and hotels had not displaced the
primitive "taverns" on the Missouri frou-
tier. There was no public entertainment
10 be had in Springfield which could
match the substantial comforts that in
those days ladened the tables of such
generous livers as Mrs. Smiths circle,
and the commander Of the post was de-
lighted with his headquarters.
Mrs. Smiths husband had joined the
rebel army IN the war and was killed IN
battle. His widow was one of the most
devoted partisans of the South in SPRING
field. She was handsome, genial and in
teliigent, and the Colonel could allow the
spirited lady to boast of her loyalty to
tue Southern cause while lie enjoyed the
hospitality Of such an ideal home.
The day for the execution of Peevy,
the condemned spy, approached, and the
heart of every friend of the South in and
around Springfield was burdened with
sadness. There seemed no hope for the
prisoner. 1t was common to execute sus
pected spies and bushwhackers in South
west Missouri, and the higher Federal
authorities were not inclined to interfere
with the bloody sentences of the petty
military tribunals that doomed SO many
prisoners to death. Clemeucy for the
condemned man had been earnestly sought
by the friends of Peevy, but every peti
ton had been rejected. The sentence of
the court martial must be executed to the
letter, the district commander said.
1t was Saturday afternoon amt on the
following Monday morning Peevy was
to be shot. The prisoner had made up
his mind to die, and was writing his last
message TO his family. Mrs. Smith had
been tireless in her efforts to save the con.
demned man. She had exhausted her re-
sources on the superior officers, and now
besought the mercy of her guest, the
Colonel. But the commander of the
post could not aid his unfortunate hostess.
however much the gallant officer may
have inclined toward her wishes. He
had stern duty to perform-to see that
Joe Peevy, the condemned spy, was shot
on the coming Monday morning.
In her extremity Mrs. Smith sought the
aid of DIR. Barrett, who was both the
physician and friend of the family. All
possible means of saving the life of
Peevy seemed to have been tried in vain
us the widow and the Doctor cloomily
went over the ground of the case.
Suddenly new hope flashed upon the !
mnd of the rebel widow The comman.
der Of the post was fond of good south
ern toddy, such as the deft hand of Mrs.
Smith had again and again mixed for her
guest. The officer usually took a nap
after drinking two or three glasses of the |
widows tempting beverage. He ALWAYS
laid off his war harness and uniform he
fore retiring for an evening slumber. 1t
was about the time that the officer usually |
his toddy. The widow began to
prepare the drink. She put more LIQUOR
and less water into the glass than ever
before. Thea DR.. Barrett suggested that
a pinch 81 morphine would add to the
drowsy effects of the toddy Mrs. Smith
Endorsed the idea, and a quarter of grain
OF tho strong narcotic was dropped into
the whisky and thoroughly mixed with
l. L /