The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-05
ENocH CROSBY OF DANBuRY,

The Reputed Original of Coopers liar
 vey Birch, in "The Spy"
 The first man to set his name down
 on the enlistment roll was young
 shoemaker, Enoch Crosby, who is said 1 to have been the parsonage on whom Cooper built up his character of Har- vey Birch in his famous novel, "The l Spy" He was to have some interesting l experiences and narrow escapes as spy for the American army. It was by accident rather than by intention that
 he was called upon to fill this role.
 Upon his return from the Canadian campaign he again took up his trade of shoemaking in Danbury, but his zeal
 for the American cause would not let
 him rest. In the quiet hours as he sat on his bench alone, busily tapping with his hammer softening leather and pull ing the waxed thread through the aWl holes, his mind dWelt upon the war and the need of men, Here and there an acquaintance had gone to join the forces. Sometimes his thoughts were of the tories, who were active in Dan bury and the neighboring towns, and discussing plans to assist the British. How these could be circumvented some times occupied his m.nd.
 At last he could stand it no longer. The British had taken possession of New York and the Americans had moved northward toward White Plains in retreat. He took down his musket and, singing his knapsack over his shoulder, set out on foot for the head quarters of the army. Late in the af ternoon ct a erossroad he fell in with a man who turned down the road in the direction he was going.
 Which way are you going asked the stranger, above or beloW?" Be low" meant New York, where the Brit ish then were. Crosby cautiously re- piled that he was too tired to go much further in any direction, anr remarked that he would like to find bed.
 T live near by and have spare bed, if you would like to occupy it." said the stranger Crosby thanked him for the proffered shelter and accepted the offer. but he was not so fatigued that his mind was not in an obcerving and re- ceptive state, and he then asked, as if | seeking information, what part a true friend of his country should take in these unsettled times. By this time they were strding along the dusty road l toward the strangers house. The man | turned and looked closely at Crosby
 You wish to know which party a real | patriot should join, do you?" he inter- 
 Yes, I do,' replied Crosby, The stranger turned his gaze from Crosby, apparently satisfied.
 You look honest and to be trusted; come of my neighbors would advise you 0 join the lower party"
 Would you introduce me to some of hose who think that way?" tentatively lsked Crosby. q sould like to get ac- luainted with them.'
 Why, yes, I should he glad to. They Ire forming a company, and I presume hey would like to have you join. To- morrow I will put you in the way of it."
 Crosby seemed willing, and the next morning, with his host, he met some of he tories, talked the matted over with hem and learned that meeting was to ,e held at q certain place in a few avs to organize and drill Crosby inti- mated that he would like to become member, if convenient, but that in the meantime he would be obliged to go to f JeW York, where he might enlist If ossible, however, he said, he would