Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-05-20

Il never told you about the time I
acted as spy In ~. ala ~ asked Tin
Gle sam Hoyt. ~ he leaned back In a
chair and punfed complaccntiy ut n pipe
that seemed TO gain strength as Il adj
vanced In years. NO I suppose not
for II IL story that involved some
matters that viii probably remain n Sc
crct for all time. I can't even tell you
all that know. for u would be vioiat-
Ing an oath which ! gave to Abraham
Lincoln thlrty-nNc years ago.
II was captain ut that time, and had
taken a short leave. I went ON to
Washington TO zee what could sec and
hear. II happened that ID was one of
the most exciting periods ~ the war,
and there was leakage " certain cx-
elusive evidence which found its way
10 the Confederate headquarters. A
most careful search had failed TO locate
tho channel through which the news
trinklcd. and yet u was NJ the most
vital Importance that " should be dis
covered. u was learned that II went
from Washington 10 Canada. aud from
there back to Richmond. OF course IL
was rather roundabout way but "a
was the surcHt unlOHs most daring
nnd expert spy were employed. The
news was transmitted hv wire. hut the
dispatches they obtained. There was
evidently n very Ingenious code used.
Tor not one u the messages could be
declphered
don't know how the idea occurred to
me. but | thought ! could solve the
problem. I figured out that some very
unfamiliar Language was employed.
Now. ! know a good many languages.
! lid not have nnv college education.
hut when u crmc t. taking any Of the
civilized language spoken In the
United htnfea. or IN America for that
mnticy ! was about NJ expert ns any
N iB'm. A. for the Indian LIMOGES. I
oonD rattle them on better than the
trips themselves. After thinking the
mfttcr over determined 20 put my
fea into execution.
IsrGGEsTS a PLAN TO LINCOLN.
= was well acquainted with Lincoln.
Tor had lived near him when l was a
boy ! had met him IN later life. and
We became the closest friends. felt
\ that I was well enough acquainted with
Ihim 10 lay my plan before him. When
! hnnlly got 90 see him he received me
vcorilally. and heartily approved Of my
plan. NY. project was to 40 down Into
virginia and tap the wires and see II
] could not read the messages. Mr.. Lin.
coin favored II a. a venture that might
un'angle the skcln. for no one had
hNNWaNN " ~ NANNINf n NNNfNIMna NtN
told me the danger Of the undertaking
aud when he found that that did not
dencc.
- have a grave suspicion a. 20 ths
y source 81 this leakage he went on "a
say hut you know as well as I do
''thnt II would be fatal 60 let the traitors
know that We had discovered them.
1 Thcrcforef will ask you TO report TO me
.porHonally. and 60 keep forever silent
1concerninE tho information you g~t,'
u promised him that what / learned
would BE- sacred Go me. lie made ar.
,lfangvmsnta for my venture. and rave
Lne full authority 10 got what pleased
~ picked IN telegraph operator and W.
-tarted out together" said Uncle SAN
to Washington Post writer. Il wa,
iilssiiHs-i an n colonlrt who wanted Il
\ buy some land In the Southern states
] was 10 work the thing on basis that
Wand must b. very low In war times
and farmers would sell more chenpiy
got myself up IN such style that ms
own m0thcr wouiI not have known me
My partner was not disguised. as H.
was not going 30 near Ia the enemy,
}. lines that he would need H.
"A TAPS THE TELEGRAPH WIRE.
when We got within few miles Of
the Confederate outpost. this side ri
] llichmond. I sent my man up 10 TAI
the witca and hnd out what was com
ms over them. We were In wooded
place. whore We could not be seen I'M
less some one was right close up % ~
1 He nNed his Instruments Ia good ahnpe
and got ready for any message thai
! might be coming. Pretty soon he begaf
10 set excited.
There's something cominr.'h cried
. as his receiver began to tick. I coul,
! not tell a thing about what was ths
Il matter, for all ticks We're alike 20 me