Evening star., 1908-01-19

fJames J. Brooks has been called 'one or
the bravest men that ever lived. and any one
who bad the privilege of his acquaintance
viii indorse this description. As an internal
revenue agent he was Instrumental in break
ing up the infamous whisky ring, which
swindled the government out OF millions OF
dollars In recognition Of his good work Gen.
Grant appointed Brooks chief Of the United
States secret service. post which he filled
with distinction and which he retained dur
Ing the administration of President Hayes.
After feaving the government service Brooks
organized a private detective agency. Ale
died In Pittsburg four or five years ago.
- NE morning in the spring of 1878
Gen. Grant sat at his desk in the
& White House putting away at
the everpresent cigar and gaz-
ing blankly into space. when his
messenger announced Senator Cameron of
Pennsylvania.
"Show him in at once" said the Pres
ident..
After the first greetings had been ex-
changed Senator Cameron exclaimed with
marked earnestness:
We'll. general. l have the man you're
looking for
who is he?'
James J. Brooks
do you think he'll fill the bill"'
I'm sure of it. He fears neither man
nor the devil. He is as straight as
string, and will be absolutely loyal to
YOU
1t was in this manner that James j.
Brooks came to be selected to destroy the
"whisky ring" combination whose oper-
ations were bringing scandal upon the
administration of Gen. Grant Brooks
Immediately proceeded TO New Orleans
where. with the aid of competent assist
ants. he detected and destroyed the Illicit
6istilleries and landed their hackers in the
penitentiary.
After that the intrepid revenue agent
transferred the scene of his operations to
Philadelphia Strolling through the thin
ly populated section of Port Richmond
the northern district of the Quaker city
NE noticed thin cloud of smoke arising
from a bonfire that had apparently been
lighted by some mischievous boys OF the
neighborhood. He carelesSiy scattered
the smoriering embars with his foot and
proceeded on his way. A curious act on
the part of a sedate man! But ne had his
reasons That night corps OF govern
ment detectives appeared on the scene
and three notorious ''moonshiners' and
their assistants were arrested and sent to
Jail. fully equipped still was in opera
tion in cave in the vacant lot and the
pratendedly boyish fire had been lighted to
distract attention from the smoke which
necessarily arose from the illicit distil-
lery.
Conste-nation prevailed among the vio
latorS of the federal law The thought of
losing their profitable business drove,
them to desperation. A council of war
was held in a saloon on Water street and
II was openly announced that $500 had
been subscribed for the purpose of put
ting Brooks out of the way" The low
browed ruffians who were present knew
the meaning of that phrase on-y too we'll.
But they all held human life cheap. and
three of the toughs volunteered for the
hazardous enterprise. The trio. whose
names were to .become infamous. included
Bob" Ahern.t who had appeared in the
criminal dock as often he had fingers
and toes: Neil Barlow. hackman. with
out scrupIfs. and Hughey Harrison,
with the lazy eyes Fifty dollars was
paid down as an evidence of good faith.
and a portion of this was Immediately
spent<by the conspirators in celebrating
the anticipated success of their unholy,
/. mission.
In The meantime Brooks continued
making his daily rounds unconscious of
the fact that a price was upon his head.
He was no seIf-advertiser and he made
arrest after arrest in the most matter of
fact way and without any blare of trum-
pets, Sometimes prisoners were captured
Estruggle but always il was counted
part of an ordinary days work. Brooks
a. that time lived at the Old Merchants s
Hotel, a quaint structure on North 4th
street. survival of revolutionary times.
The three conspirators-Ahern. Barlow
and Harrison-shadowed him from MORN
ing until night. waiting for d convenient
time and place to accomplshe their bloody
purpose. The utter nonchalance of Brooks
disconnected the footpads-such is the ef-
feet which a really brave man has upon
craven spirits One night they had him
in dark corner. but the work was aban-
done. because Ahern complained of a sore
heel. which he peevishly said might inter
fere with his fight On another occasion,
just as they were ready to strike the
blow. Brooks turned into Appletree alley
and was lost to sight in the turnings of
that narrow thoroughfare.
On one foggy night, however. all the