The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-08-20

Interior Department required TO the eN-
plot Of the squad OF Union spies who
stole an engine from a Confederate
camp near Atlanta. Ga, during yhe civil
war. That piece of work has been as
much discussed as any occurrence of the
war. and stands out prominently among
the most daring Of deeds. One Of the
veterans said:
4 was near Big Shauty, where this
exploit occurred, but DO not remember
much about it know that it excited
Us and worried the Rebs, and that it
was agreed by all that It was the nervi-
est thing on record. Big Shanty is a lit
tie station on the old Georgia Stats
road. about twenty miles above Atlanta.
The country between Chattanooga and
Atlanta was full Of soldiers Of both
sides, and all sorts Of pranks were be-
ing played At Big Shanty there was a
camp Of Confederates-sever thousand
Of them-and d lot of our scouts were
nosing around there to see what they
could find out. or do
Zone morning the train from Atlanta
pulled into Big Shanty, and the crew
left TO get breakfast. The scouts, IN
der the lead Of one Pittenger, a great
scout and fine soldier. OF Thomas army,
jumped the train and quickly cut loose
the engine and one car Before anybody
at the station could do a thing they were
tearing out up the road. There were
two or three men il the crowd Of scouts
who knew something about an engine,
and they were running It. The only
trouble was the lack Of fuel. There was
little wood on the tender. and the scouts
had 10 FIRE up with boxes AID pieces of
the baggage car. They made good time
TO the first bridge, which they set on
fire. The feat was so daring that the
soldiers ard citizens who witnessed il
were paralyzed-
The engineer who had come in from
Atlanta lost 10 time, and, with one or
two others, pulled out up the road on
foot There vas no other way 20 travel.
Soon they found a handcar and made
some fast time on 1t. and later got an
engine The Federal scouts we're burn
ing he bridges and cutting The wires,
but the engineer managed 10 get over
the country in a hurry.
after chase Of forty miles the
scouts we're overtaken and captured
Eight of the crowd OF fourteen were
turned loose; The others were hanged as
spies. The object OF the scouts was to
cut on communication and connection
Of all kinds between Chattanooga and
Atlanta It was toward the last Of the
war. and things were desperate for both
sides IN that section. There were 5000
Confederates within q half nile OF the
station when the engine was stolen The
scouts had to run the risk Of colliding
with the other trains or running into
switches. At one station they man
aged 10 fool the engineer and station
master on the plea Of q wreck "
Another Interior Department veteran
commented on the incident. and added:
That has not been so long, but great
changes have occurred. Men on bath
sides admired the theft and the chase
and s long as there is al old soldier
alive Pettenger and his men VIII be IA
nous. But Just think that thirty years
later the sons OF the veterans on both
sides went over that road together. The
Georgia State road was more used than
any other Southern road for taking the
troops to Cuba IN 1895 Ny boy was IN
the army then and he had heard ne
talk OF the engine scrape- He and the
Southern boys had fun over It. This IS a
great country sure enough and we have
all sorts OF talent hid away everywhere
for use n time Of trouble"
The mail list Of the Bureau Of AMI
nal Industry. which is under the in
mediate care Of Mr.. J. " Pickens OF
the chiefs Office. is revelation TO
those who might be inclined 10 think
that the bureau Is a small affair The
publications OF the bureau are sent 70
ever. ne!ghborhood n this country and
&c every part Of the world.
On the foreign list OF the bureau are
several hundred men in other countries.
They get all or part OF the publications
Of the bureau and send IN exchange the
results Of their Investigations. There
cannot be mentioned a country where
government exists where the animal in
dustry pamphlets are unknown. The
addresses are in every sort Of language
and It is safe TO assume that the inquest
over an ordinary COW VIII be read IN
about fifty languages
Mr. A P. Msrston, OF the proof room
OF the Government Printing Ofaee. has
been pointed out as one OF the printer
orators Of the city. He Is an active
member Of the Columbia typographical
Union. though he IS not one of the con
gpicuous orators that he was IN his
younger days Mr.. Marston IS credited
With having been one Of the most eIo-
quent ana persuasive speakers the prin-
tiers had while their struggle for recog-
milton WAS going on He was fine
executive and the craftsmen OF the city
owe much 10 his talents and devotion
He has been g proofreader for several
years and ts noted for his information
and carefulness.
M Narston's ability has been reCog-
nized By the union and be is an ex-dele-
gate and ex-president-
In 1895 when the civil service law
was applied 20 the Government Print
ing Once, Mr.. Marston was appointed
90 draft the examination papers. His
work was adopted without change and
the lines OF examination started by him
are in use TO this day. He Is one OF
the authorities ca style and is frequent
~ consulted on important matters as
well as On Office details.
In defeuse Of the contention that kiss