The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-09-17

tective Brooks at the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad station in Phil
adelphia. and when he started not
even the members OF his family knew
his destination or the purpose Of his
Journey. When Kelly met Brooks at
the gate leading TO the train. he hand
ed him ticket to New Orleans by
way OF the great jackson route
A word Of preface may help TO ex
plain how Kelly came to receive this
assignment, which was TO prove one
of the most dangerous and important
In his whole professional career While
he was police officer In the twenty
second police district OF Philadelphia.
he was going TO his home early one
morning in January. 1874, and pass
ing big distillery on goth street
above Berks. he was accosted by a
voice which whispered husldly:
rs that you. Joe?"
II was so dark and foggy that a
person could hardly see his face be-
fore him; but on the impulse OF the
moment Kelly replied YES" and then
halted to await developments. Present
ly two-horse team. filled with Illicit
liquor which had been distilled in the
factory. started out Of the place. Kel.
ly jumped into the wagon and pulled
a pistol OH the driver and directed
him to go TO certain point in the
city. which happened to be the po-
lice station. There he was placed un.
der arrest. The seizure OF this distill
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
signment which began at the Broad
Street station In Philadelphia. After
they had fairly started on their Jour.
ney, Mr.. Brooks joined Kelly In the
car and introduced him to the other
two men. one being Alfred Brooks, his
son. and the other John Mitchell.
another secret service operative. Mr..
Brooks explained the mission TO the
party in few words.
A short time before, President
Grant. Simon Cameron and Alexander
p. Tuition. who was then supervisor of
Internal revenue for Pennsylvania. had
conference at the white house con
corning the operations OF the whisky
ring. which had become a national
schandal and was so powerful that the
government was being robbed OF mil.
lions of dollars. Gen. Grant. who was
deeply Interested in probing the mat,
ter to the bottom. leaned over his
desk. and with the inevitable stump
OF cigar between his set teeth, an.
nounced his purpose of transferring
all supervisors of internal revenue in
every section of the country.
Mr.. Tuition at this point expressed
doubt concerning the wisdom Of
such action. He said It would be the
means OF furnishing many good officers
and would not be Just.
General Grant took fresh grip OF
his cigar and said
what am l to do, them
Mr.. Tuition replied:
Find out the Identity OF the crook
cd distillers and the government OF
ncers who are shielding them. ant
punish both"
II was suggested TO the presiden
that Detective James J. Brooks was
safe man 10 intrust with an importan
work OF this character and that h
could get Detective Frank Kelly q
assist him.
The president replied Immediately
II will do as you advlse--we vii
take Brooks and Kelly"
This explains why Detective Kell,
Detective Brooks, his son. and job
Mitchell were bound for New Orlean
on the Sth day OF April In 1874.
In his pocket Mr.. Kelly carried
letter from Secretary OF War Belkna
10 the commandant OF the garrison 1
New Orleans. directing him TO furnls
the bearer-Frank Kelly.-at IN
ment's notice. such number OF 50
diers as he should call for. This cor
munication was significant II ind
Gated very clearly that they were
act alone and without the aid, assis
ance OF knowledge Of any OF the so