The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-05-31
DIED LIKE A HERO.
Young English Spy Shot to Death by
Boer Sharp-shoOteTs.

Boer Sharp-shoOters.
Some five years ago George Crawford
was a well-known and successful prac-
titione of law at the Chicago bar. His
office was in the Unity building, 70
Dearborn street, and around town he
was known as high roller, Suddenly
he disappeared, aud his whereabouts
was eagerly sought by clients. He was
not heard of in any manner until yes
torday, when n letter was received
from him showing that he is assistant
secretary to President Kruger, with
headquarters at Pretoria, Crawford
expresses himself as very confident the
English forces will not soon reach the
fighting zone which surrounds the
Transvaal capital. After discussing
the general situation at some length he
says
On Wednesday, April I, a yound En-
glishman was arrested by the Boer au-
thorities while close to the vaal below
Kierksdorp, Owing to information re-
ceived some days previously his COM
ing was expected and his capture plan,
ned. When taken into custody he
claimed to be an American from Chica.
go, and gave the name of Casey.
HAD LIVED IN CHICAGO.
"Upon being searched it developed
that his name was Norman A. Lees,
and his home ST. Ives, England. When
confronted with the incrimlnating
proof against him he admitted being
spy. 1t seems that Lees was for
couple of years a resident of Chicago,
where he did more or less newspaper
work. In In 1897 he was married to
young lady stenographer, and shortly
afterward they left for Europe. After
spending some months in London he
charged that his wife was insane and
deserted her, she returning to America
with young baby, while Lees left
England for South Africa.
cat the time of his arrest he had let
ters from London offering him $4,000
for satisfactory proof Of Gen. Chris de
Wot's death, the same amount for the
taking off of Commandant Botha, and
$5,0 900 for President Kruger, dead or
alive. These letters are said to be
signed by parties well known to the
Boer authorities here, and it is init
mated that Cecil Rhodes is behind the
dastardly propositions.
"Rough sketches of the defense of
Kroonstadt, Fricksburg, Ladybrand
and Pretoria were found concealed
about Lees person and in his luggage.
DEATH SENTENCE IMPOSED.
ga court-martial was held and the
evidence presented against him. He
was asked to make q defense, but he
refused, appealing, as he claimed, TO
the civil courts to determine his guilt.
He was found guilty of being a spy and
given the death sentence. He was
given until the next morning to pre-.
pare for death. AT sunrise the next
morning bugle blast announced the
hour of death. and no time was wasted.
When visited Iii the guard-house where
he had spent the night, Lees was furi
Gus. He refused to be bound, and ex-
claimed:
"'You have not grown very saying
of the blood of the English, he said
bitterly to the officer in command; I
shall not allow myself to be killed
without defending myself.
"When the fatal moment approached
he repeated in a low voice the Catholic
confession of faith. He did not pale as
he was laid out to an open grave some
twenty rods from camp. A detachment
of twelve sharpshooters was stationed
thirty yards away.
'The procession stopped. Gentle.
men, called out the condemned, lis
there man among you with honor
enough to send this letter to my wife!
A young infantryman stepped to the
front, the prisoner placed in his hands
a sealed package and gave certain in.
structions; then pushing away the
guard who attempted to bandage his
eyes, he made two steps toward the sol
diers and fell dead, eleven bullets EN-
tering his breast within space covered
by circle two inches in diameter. -
Milwaukee special to Cincinnati En-
quirer.
WHAT FASHION SAYS.