The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-08
OFFICERS AFTER CAMPBELL.
WANT THE MAN WHO CREATED A
FURRY ABOUT TROOPS.

An Air of Mystery Surrounds Hi
Visit, and officials Are Unable Il
Say Why lie Told Them $500,
Troops Had Been Ordered Here
The Plans He Related Were a
Myth-Chief McDermott Relieves
Campbell Was Not Himself while
Here-AlI Efforts Thus Far to LO.
cate Him Have Failed.
"a. J. Campbell, Z. S. A. It will not
require spectacles for a number of bust
ness men and city officials to read this
autograph, which was placed on the reg
ister at the De Soto Sunday two weeks
ago. There was not much significance at
tached to the name then but there was
afterwards an experience that viii hold
the name in their memory.
Capt. Campbell, as he was familiarly
called, posed several days as an officer
of the Seventh Army Corps on detached
duty. and claimed he had been detailed
here to represent the government in the
matter Of locating troops in Savannah.
This was given credence by the fact that
the day after he arrived Secretary Alger
and party came up from Jacksonville, and
none seemed TO have been on better terms
with the secretary and party than Camp
bell. He brushed aside all etiquette,
walked unceremoniously into the dining
room, while the secretary was at break
fast, and greeted him cordially. But the
secretary now seems anxious to know
something of Capt. Campbell. aud the
authority he had for representing that
troops were to be sent here.
An officer from Fort Tybee has been
here a couple Of days endeavoring to gel
information about Campbell who left the
city several days ago, and also left his
belongings TO satisfy an unpaid hotel bill.
The officer has devoted himself diligently
10 investigating the case, but as all who
were thrown in with the alleged captain
are disinclined TO talk. it has been rather
difficult to learn anything. There is said
10 have been no such man in the army,
and the department IS DESTROYS Of know
ing what transactions he had here.
Chief McDermott was consulted yester-
day, and while he knew the whereabouts
of the captain a few days ago, he has
since left without giving anyone his ad-
dress He wore a Vandihe beard, is de-
scribed as being about feet inches in
hight, wore a regulation army hat and a
checked suit of clothes. He had mar
tial bearing, talked fluently, and answered
questions with that readiness which cover
ed up all suspicious that he was not in
the government service.
1t was two or three days after the de-
parture of Secretary Alger that Campbell
sought Mayor Meldrim, and finding Elm
away, endeayored to reach Acting Mayor
Owens who was also out Of the city. He
then called on President Purse n the
Board of Trade, introduced himself, and
stated he had received advices from the
war department that 5000 troops mad
been ordered 10 Savannah at once. The
fact the city was eagerly awaiting in
formation as to the decision OF the Sc
cretary, gave the captains utterances the
significance of being official. He was soon
placed in touch with merchants, and the
story he unfolded was a glowing one. The
sincere manner in which he expressed
himself did not suggest the propriety of
asking him for credentials, and indeed
90 have done this might be looked upon
as a reelection.
After the news of Campbells's announce
ment became pretty generally known, he
was escorted 10 the suburbs for the pur-
pose of selecting a site for the encamp-
ment. When taken to Avondale he decid-
ed that was TO be the place and having
determined on this, returned with those
accompanying him. An appointment was
made TO meet him at the De Soto. He
said four sister ships OF the Mlnnewaska
were coming, that the Resolute would be
up from Key West the day following, and
that soldiers would be brought here as
rapidly as possible from Huntsville and
Montauk Point. Cavalry troops We're the
only ones coming, ne said, though few
companies of infantry would be Sent ia
make up the So. O0O and equipped as cav
airy as they arrived He gave the names
of several officers who would start for
Savannah at once, and emphasized the
fact that he was only a subordinate to
open the way for others.
When a number OF business mer
met the captain in the lobby
they saw he had taken one toe
many. Before plans were discussed
a brief conversation with Campbell was
sufficient TO show that something was
wrong The conference was short, and
when the party separated there was de-
cided change in the atmosphere
Campbell strolled around the lobby
recklessly and there was a Turk
ing suspicion that he was not a genuine
article" He was invited to the bar
where he ordered absinthe. Presently he
went outside, and realizing he had beer
given The bounce, got into hack anC
headed toward The Plant System station
who is he and what is he?' was asked
as Campbell faded away IN the dark. HI:
conduct admitted of no explanation. Com
munication with Washington however
had disclosed that the secretary was still
undecided about the place of embarka
ton, which was conclusive Campbell wa'
without authority. He had made conflict
ing statements. too. about the troops
which caused his assertions to be regard
ed jealousy No oyertures were made
for money, however, and the offense o
which he is guilty is not covered b,
statute He simply swooped down, misleaC
many and departed, leaving his transac
tons unexplained.
Chief McDermott does not think Camp
bell has any connection with the army
Neither does he think he went by his RICH
name, though there is nothing that woul,
indicate this. The effort of the office
now here seems to get whatever fact
there are about Campbell, and forwar,
them to the war department, where the.
viii likely remain as a memento of tn