The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-02-07
IF TRUE.WHAT?

E-
The Pioneer-Press of recent date
had a very interesting story, con-
tributed, which is we'll worth Pc
rusal, even if fanciful. 1t may, be
the work of a fertile Imagination
if so the story is well-conceived.
But if it be true, what? The act
of heroism is almost without paral-
lei. Nathan Hale, who has won an
immortal place in history was not
more brave nor patriotic. 1t inves-
tigation should establish the an-
thenticity of the story, the state
of Minnesota should honoritself by
perpetuating the memory of this
man by erecting a monument on
the new State Capitol grounds.
The Pioneer-Press is responsible
for the story, and it would be a
comparatively easy matter for that
paper to verify the incident if true.
Here is the story:
1 was once asked. by the New York
w OTlu ~ SCCuIC OIL lhuOA NiO" "ioh
Gen. Jubal A. Early. l met this tall,
stoop-shouldered old Confederate in
New Orleans. l think the year vas
1884. After the interview was closed
to my satisfactson I had a very pleas
ant conversation with the noted rebel
on the topics of the day. Before leas-
ing him, 1 asked him what in his obser-
vations, before and during the war,
mos tho hirhoof OFT and 1nanQSt 1nuo
of country shown by any one he had
met. 1 had expected of course he
would name some Confederate, but no.
He said:
81 don't remember the young fell
lows name, but he was a Union spy.
He hailed from Minnesota. and think
he was of Norwegian extraction. He
had entered our lines successfully sew
eral times and had escaped %unscathed,
with the most valuable information.
At length he was captured, and upon
his person were found documents to
his mission. He was tried by the reg
be hanged. He made no explanation
ency. He STOOD mute. |
L Y oS VI III ILL oASS W. jim |
Confedrates TO know who was the au-
thor of the papers found on his person.
The colonel in whose custody the pris-
oner was placed and the field officers
of the day were authorized by Gen.
Beauregard to Offer him life and lib
erty with safe conduct through the
lines in return for the desired infor-
nation. He was pressed to accept
this offer; it was pointed out that at
best he was only a citizen OF the North
by adoption. The young man listened
in silence and then he said:
81 may not be native born, but [ am
an American, who loves the flag, which
to me represents liberty. l cannot be
false to my country. or to my CON-
rades, or to my friends within your
lines. rlOve life but honor more.
1.-The colonel pressed the point in
ain. The prisoner stood, firm in his
refusal, but his constancy and loye of
country was to undergo severe test.
From papers upon his person it was
learned he had a weet heart who had
lived in or about Minneapolis, then a
young but growing city. 1t was also
that she was teaching school
hardly a days ride from Memphis. He
was engaged to be married to this
girl. The unhappy young woman was
sent for and the prisoner brought be-
fore her. She had been informed of [
the alternative for death and pleaded
with her lOyer desperately.
IF you love me, darling, if you love
your old father and mother, who are
crying o you at home, you will save
your life" she urged. 81 beg it, 1
lmplore it, as 1 love you"
Il love You, and my heart is almost
breaking as l think of you and motif
err he said; but here he broke
down and his voice trembled with
which shook his sturdy frame, +
there are occasions when ones duty
to country rises above every other
consideration and every other motive.
l cannot be a traitor. 1t would mean
others death. No, not for the love OF
you Or mother will 1 be false.'
1.-The girl ne loved understood him.
She no longer strove to effect his reso-
luton, but told him that she loved
Il honored him the more. AS the
young man stood on the scatfold he
was handed letters from his mother
and sister, praying him 10 save his !
life. He turned to the colonel and
said: If l had thousand livesI would
lose them all before I would betray my
trust The lever was pulled and the
Minnesota soldier died an honorable
man. IL know of no greater love of
country shown by. man, said /.
Gen. Early.