The National tribune., 1901-03-21

while those whose sympathies were vita
the North looked with apprehension and
disfavor upon the demonstrations that
were being made in his honor.
At the first Opportune moment Price
Lewis, with the assistance of his new
found friends, the rebel officers. succeeded
In obtaining an introduction to til. ancient
looking individual whose career haG been
marked by such exciting events, and who
was so prominent Il figure in the ragcdy
that was now being enacted. lie was Il
small, Misunderstanding man, whose age
appeared to be nearly 40 years, and whose
emaclated appearance gave every token
that he had not long TO live. His eyes
shone with the brilliancy of youth and
the fires Of ambition seemed TO be burning
brightly in his breast. Perhaps no other
man in the South had contributed in so
great degree to hasten the folly of seces-
sion, and certainly none rejoiced more
heartily at its final realization.
BY his eloqucnce and the magnetic
power Of his presence he had led the ig-
norant classes of the State TO Il firm be-
lief in the justice Of his cause, and by his
teachings he had imbued them with a firm
conviction that they were acting for their
own best interests and for the furtherance
OF Southern supremacy and success.
Stern and determined, he allowed moth
ing to stand between him and the accom-
pllshment Of his purposes. But a few
months before he had ordered the execu-
ton of John Brown, who, with a mere
handful Of men, had attempted to strike
a blow in behalf of the slave, This ar
dent AbolitioniSt attacked and captured
Harpers Ferry, a Government arsenal by
oycrTowering the men who were sta
toned at that place; but the authorities
had been called upon, and then, yield
ing TO superior numbers, he was COM
PEELED to surrender. In this encounter
the majority Of his men were slain. and
John Brown, with six of his associates
was taken prisoner. This occurred on the
10th day OF October, 1859, and on the
I'D day of December, after Il hurried trial,
the prisoners were ordered by Gov. Wise
10 be publicly hanged. The sentence was
duly carried into effect, and the action of
John Brown was used by the secession
advocates TO inhame the minds of the
Southern people against the North.
The General had been previously i'll
formed of the presence of Lewis in the
hotel, and of his adventure on the day
previous; consequently, when he was pre-
sented 10 the new commander, he was re-
celyed with warm cordiality. The Cen
eral inquired particularly into his history
ana ms present movements, all of which
were replied TO by Lewis in a dignifed
and satisfactory manner. Under the in
huence Of Lewis's good nature the General
becdiHe social ana familiar, and invited
him 10 dine with him in his apartments.
Leaving no opportunity that offered. the
detective took advantage of every availa-
bic suggestion, and the result was he be-
came fully posted upon everything that
was OF importance, and was enabled to
render such an account Of his labors as
was satisfactory in the extreme. Sam
Bridgeman, too, had not been idle. but
mIngling freely with the soldiers, he had
succeeded i'll learning much of the condi-
tons OF the country that was of immense
advantage in the after events of the cam
paIgn in Western Virginia.
They remained in Charleston about
eight days, and then, taking leave of the
many friends they had made, they made
their way safely back TO Cincinnati and
reported.
WORK OF OTHER OPERATIVES.
The other two men whom | had dis
patched upon the same mission Travelled
by rail across the State OF Ohio and
reached the West Virginia line at Point
Pleasant. Here they began their investi-
cations, and passing unquestioned they
roamed through the country, passing east
ward as far as Lynchburg. Phence they
made dctour to the south and iourneyed
as far as Chattanooga and Nashville in
Tennessee, and thence to louisville XIV
Throughout their entire pilgrimage they
were ever on the alert to acquire knowi-
edge, and the immense amount of infor-