Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-09-30

~D found secret. BY ap-
pointment, he met De-
tectivo Brooks at the Pennsyl.
vania Railroad station in Phil.
adelphia. and when he started not
even the members OF his family knew
MS destination or the purpose Of his
tourney. When Kelly met Brooks at
tue gate leading to the train. he hand
ed MIN ticket to New Orleans by
way oil the great Jackson route.
A word OF preface may help to ex-
piain now Kelly came to receive this
assignment, which was to provo one
ot the most dangerous and important
IN MS whole professional career. While
ae was police officer in the twenty.
second police district of philadelphia
ne was going to his home early one
morning In January. 1874. and pass
ing a big distillery On goth street
above Berks, he was accosted by a
voice which whispered huskiiy:
Is that you. Joe?"
IT was so dark and foggy that a
person could hardly see his face be-
iore him: but on the impulse of the
moment Kelly replied EYES," and then
halted to await Developments Present
~ two-horse team. filled with Illicit
liquor which had been distilled in the
factory. started out OF the place. KEEL
" jumped into the wagon and pulled
pistol on the driver and directed
nim to 60 to a certain point in the
city. which happened to be the no
ice station. There he was placed Tin.
Ter arrest. The seizure of this distiil
cry and the arrest OF the government
storekeeper and his conviction which
followed. was the means of bringing
FRANK Kelly before the notice of his
superior officers both in PHILADELPHIA
and Washington.
The sequel was this mysterious as
signmcnt which began at the Broad
Street station I'm Philadelphia. After
they had fairly started on their Jour.
uey. Mr.. Brooks Joined Kelly in the
car and introduced him to the other
TWO men. one being Alfred Brooks. his
son, aud the other John Mitchell
another secret service operative Mr..
Brooks explained the mission TO ihe
party In few words.
a short time before. President
Grant Simon Cameron and Alexander
,. Iutton. who was then supervisor OF
internal revenue for Pennsylvania. haG
Conference at the white house con
corning the operations of the whisky
ring. which had become a nationnI
schandal and was so powerful that tho
government was being robbed OF mil.
Hons OF dollars Gen. Grant. who wau
deeply interested I'm probing the mat.
Ter TO tho bottom. leaned over big
desk. and with the inevitable stunn
OF cigar between his set teeth. nm.
oounced his purpose OF Transferring
all supervisors of internal revenue e.,
every section OF the country.
Nr. Tuition at this point expressed
doubt concerning the wisdom ~
such action. He said II would he the
means OF Furnishing many good officers
and would not be just
General Grant took fresh grin on
his cigar End said:
What am I TO do. them"
Mr. Tuition replied:
Find out the identity Of the crook.
cd distillers and the government os.
hcers who arc shielding them. and
punish both
VI was suggested 60 the president
that Detective James J. Brooks wss a
safe man 30 intrust with an important
work OF this character and that be
could get Detective Frank Kelly =,
assist him.
The president replied immedisfei,.
z will do as you advise--wc will
take Brooks and Kelly"
This explains why Detective Kelly.
Detective Brooks, his son. and John
Mitchell were bound for New Orleans
on The Sth day OF April in 1874.
In his pocket Mr. Kelly carried
letter from Secretary OF War BeIknnp
20 the comnandant Of tho garrison at
New Orleans. directing him to furnish
the bearer--Frank Kelly-at mo.
.ncni's notice, such n number or sol
diers az ne should call for. This com
munication was significant il Iudi-
Gated very clearly that they we're 20
,scl aloHo and without the al0. assist-
anec u knowledge OF any Of ire gov