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

It was tremendous bit OF enterprise
"a nights work that was never be-
fore equalled In the world.
When the facts came out during the
course OF the following day the people
were observation-disclosures more than
the government officials who were To-
Gated in New Orleans. Neither peo-
Pile nor officials knew that Brooks and
Kelly and their men we're in New Or
leans. and the capture proved to be
one Of the great sensations Of the
time.
Indictments we're promptly found
and convictions followed in every case.
The government confiscated over a
half million dollars in property and
contraband whisky. The trials were
not officially concluded until almost
two years after the capture. and in
the spring of 1876 Kelly returned to
New Orleans in the capacity of wit.
ness, being granted leave OF absence
from the position he then held--that
OF lieutenant of police in Philadelphia.
There is one phase of this story to
which particular attention is directed.
II was freely said at that time that
care of his friends, and 1t was in.
simulated that his friends were some
times not the kind Of persons who
deserved the encouragement of a
high-minded official.
Well, Gen. Grant did take care Of
his friends.
But his friends, as Francis Kelly
happened to know in this instance,
were the friends OF good government;
they were the men who under his IN.
spiration and the supervision OF
James J. Brooks were instrumental in
breaking up the notorious whisky
ring; they we're the men who sent Of
tenders to the penitentiary, and they
were the men who helped to restore
hundreds Of thousands OF dollars to
the treasury OF the United States. In
other words, Gen. Grant was deter
mined that justice should be done. no
matter where the chips might fall
In 1874 after the return from New
Orleans, Gen. Grant sent for Mr..
Brooks. He called at the White House
and found the president In his ONCE
smoking big black cigar. He looked
up quietly as Mr.. Brooks entered, and
said with characteristic terseness:
Brooks. you and Kelly did good
work at New Orleans"
Mr.. Brooks bowed at this and muir.
INJURED his thanks at receiving the
commentator of the chief magistrate
Of the nation.
Brooks" continued the president
II am going to appoint you chief OF
the government secret service"
And so he did. Within a few days
this deserving, intelligent and compe
tent detective was placed at the head
OF the most important service in the
world. Kelly was promoted to the
position OF lieutenant of police in his
home city. and OF course the fact
that he had figured in the government
exploit was chiefly responsible for thi,
promotion. Supervisor Tuition was ap
/ pointed collector Of the port OF Phila
delphia. Alfred Brooks was named
! as a special revenue agent. Johr
Mitchell had his salary raised ant
/ was placed In a position of Importance
In the service After the trial anc
conviction OF the distillers in New
! Orleans In 1875, President Grant re
I appointed Mr.. Beckwith United States
! attorney for the district OF New Or
/ leans; United States Marshal Pack
r ard, who figured in the seizure ant
arrests, was appointed United States
consul at Liverpool Judge Woods
| who was the district Jurist before
I whom the dlstlllers were tried, was
elected TO a seat on the supreme
court bench at Washington.
! Copyright. by W. q. Chapman.)