davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

gard. Here he was placed in a stock
ade. but through the bribery of the
guard that had been placed over him
he had an opportunity to view the
Notifications and to inspect the famous
and dreaded black horse cavalry"
which he saw consisted of 200 men.
Bakers journey by rail to Richmond
was without event. but its slowness
afforded him an excellent chance to OBJ
serve the number Of troops moving
toward Manassas.
-Four days after his arrival in Rich
mond Baker was ushered into the pres
ence of President Jefferson Davis, the
audience being in the front parlor of
the Spottswood house. The weather be-
ing warm the confederate chieftain wore
simply light linen coat, without vest,
collar or cravat. Davis listened with
indifference to the story told by Baker,
and at the conclusion of the narrative
gave no intimation as to his probable
action. After a lapse of one week,
Baker was again summoned before the
president, when he was freely piled
with queries as to the strength and
positions OF the union troops at and
in the vicinity of Washington. After
a wait of three days the suspected spy
was for the third time taken into the
presence of Davis. Impersonating
Sam, a son OF Judge Munson of Knox
vile, who went to California at an
early day, Baker succeeded in deceiv-
ing the president, from whom he re-
ceived parole. This released him
from confinement and pledged him not
to leave Richmond without first having
received permission from the provost
marshal. Richmond thus became an
open book to Baker, who soon obtained
all the information he desired relative
TO the movements, plans, fortif1cations
and strength Of the enemy. Being
anxious to return to the north without
delay, he secured a pass that carried
him to Fredericksburg. At a point
four miles below that city he crossed
the Rappahannock without difficulty,
but in stealing an old rowboat, in which
to effect his escape across the Potomac.
he was so closely pursued that he was
compelled to kill one and wound two of
the confederate sentinels who were
guarding the river bank.
This, in brief, is the story of the be-
ginning of the secret service depart
ment of the government, although 1t
was not until August, 1861, that Baker
became regularly attached to the war
department as secret agent. Accord
ing to the story of the organization of
the service. as told by Baker himself,
"the detective business of the war was
commenced with no head, system or
regulations, excepting such as were
made by those having no knowledge of
the peculiar and difficult business" 1t
was his opinion that congress should,
at the outset of the rebellion, have
passed law authorizing the organiza-
tion Of a detective police, with a head
responsible only to the war or some
other department. Under the plan
adopted, operations were at first con-
Quoted by the bureau of the national
detective police. and during the earlier
days of the service Baker signed his
official reports as government detec-
tive"
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28
By L. Irvine

~ THE dark days Of the rebellion to
California fell the honor Of supply
ing the first national chief Of the
governments detective bureau.
The man chosen to head this most
important department was Lafayette
G Baker. who arrived at the Golden
gate in 1853, coming by way OF Panama.
He was an active member Of the vigi-
lance committee at san Francisco from
1856 to 1861. Early in the spring Of
81 he returned 70 New York, expect
ing 10 remain IN the east only short
tine. but at the very moment he was
ready to return 70 the west the tocsin
OF war startled the land, and in COM
mon with the loyal citizens Of the
. north he decided to abandon his pri-
vate business enterprises and serve the
inperiled country.
II was IN April Of that year that
Baker visited Washington city for the
purpose OF aIlying himself with the
government IN the defense Of his coun-
try. There he had an interview with
General Scott. who was then in COM
rnand OF the army Of the United States.
Present at this interview was Hon.
George ". Wright OF California. and
at that time the plans were discussed
and laid for a visit to be made by
Baker TO Richmond, which was then
the capital Of the confederacy. In pur-
suance OF this plan the start was made
for Richmond on July il. the pur-
pose OF the hazardous journey being
TO learn. II possible. the locality and
strength Of the hostile troops and OF
their fortincations. There being trait
ors in the government and in the army,
the union troops were not let into the
secret OF the expedition or its mission.
Therefore Bakers first step from
washington IN the direction Of the
sacred soil Of Virginia" was one Of
great risk. as any attempt to pass the
lines might result in his arrest as a
spy.
:. Twice at least he was apprehended
and returned to washington. but after
many tribuIations he succeeded in
pvading the outposts and hired a negro
boy to row him across the river. Here
he was promptly placed under arrest
by the confederate sentinels. BY them
he was discredited and looked upon as
q spy when he assured them that he
was a peaceful citizen, unarmed. and on
his way to Richmond. Baker carried
letters introducing him to prominent
rebels in Richmond. Among other de-
4 ceptfve documents was a letter pur-
porting to have been written by Rev.
Mr.. Shuck. who was for many years a
missionary in China and who in later
wears became a resident of California.
Baker was sent afoOt under heavy
guard TO Manassas Junction, where
he was turned over TO General Beaure-
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

The war being over Baker, then be-
ing brigadier general and chief of ma
tionaApolice, expressed himself as being
firmly of the belief that a detective bu-
reau, although contrary to the spirit of
republican institutions in time of
peace, was indispensable in time of
war. He was certain that some of the
most important movements and battles
of the war had been made and fought
entirely upon information obtained
through the operations of the poeice de-
tective bureau. He believed, further
more that there was nothing in the
secret service that demanded a viola
tion of honor or a sacrifice of princi-
pie beyond the ordinary rules of war
fare. While admitting that deception
was t times practiced, he contended
that in time of war no commander
fails to deceive the enemy whenever
possible. The interception of CORE
spondence feints in army movements,
misrepresentation of military strength
and position are regarded as honorable
means Of securing victory over the foe.
The work of the detective, he said is
simply deception reduced to science;
while war is a terrible resort in the
defense of even a righteous cause and
sets at defiance all the ordinary laws
and customs of society,"
In February of 1862 Secretary Seward
of the department of state addressed
letter to Edwin Stanton, secretary of
war, and in this the statement was
made that Il. c. Baker has been en-
ployed by the state department in
the detective service. but in conse-
quence of recent executive order the
state department had mo further use
of his services; and Baker was conse-
quently commended to the considera-
tion of the secretary of war as "capa-
Bile and efficient officer" From that
time forward Baker was known as
detective agent, war department" or
as provost marshal. In the spring of
1868 he was made colonel of the First
regiment. District Columbia cavalry
and was busy with affairs growing out
of the war and connected with the sew
erar departments of the government
In April. 1865. he was in New York city
securing evidence against deserters
when the following telegram, dated
April 16, caused him to hurry to Wash
ington:
Come to Washington Immediately
and see If you can find the murderer
of the president.
"E. M. S.. Secretary of War"
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

The terrible event that called forth
this order is fresh in the minds of the
American people. And that that trag-
edy would not have occurred when it
did If Baker had been in Washington
is the opinion of a chaplain In Bakers
cavalry Writing concerning this, the
chaplain said: Booth knew that
Baker was in New York. or he would
have delayed the tragedy of the 14th
of April, 1865. And when he knew that
Baker was on his trail his heart faint
ed in him and he lost all hope
The story of the capture of Wilkes
Booth the murderer of Lincoln, as told
by Baker. affords one of the interesting
chapters in the detectives exciting
career. After the military forces num-
bering 10000, had swept the swamps
without success. Bakers men were DEL
egated by the department to continue
the search for the assassin.
But before beginning the man hunt
Baker and his lieutenants consulted the
coast survey maps, and with detective
intuition amounting almost to inspira-
ton Baker had cast upon the probable
route and destination of Booth and
Harold. He reasoned that Booth
would not keep along the coast, with
frequent deep rivers to cross, nor in
any direction east of Richmond, where
the murderer was liable at any time to
cross the lines. The same line of reason
ing indicated that Booth, being lame.
could not ride well on horseback, so as
to place himself well westward of his
point of debarkation In Virginia. He
would of necessity be compelled to
travel in a direct course rom Bluff
point where he crossed to eastern
Maryland, and this would take him
through Port Royal on the Rappahan-
mock river.
you may rest assured" said Colonel
Baker to his lieutenants. after studying
the maps and when giving his final in
structions, you will find him within
five miles of Port Conway You will
have detail of cavalry. which VIII be
strictly subordinate to your order.
There must be no shooting. The viii
lain must be captured alive at all
hazard"
Upon learning from negro that a
man answering the description of Booth
and another man had crossed the Poto-
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

had been placed by Colonel CongeP
about 80 feet from the barn, with or
ders not to leave his post on any pre-
text Yet he did leave il. and approach
the barn. when. without order. pretext
or excuse, he shot Booth"
While the war was in progress. Coll
onel Baker had frequent walks and
talks with President Lincoln. On sew
eral occasions they spoke Of the fire.
quent threats to kill the president.
Baker said that he had always noticed
on these occasions that there was a
very extraordinary indifference in the
mind of Mr.. Lincoln in regard to the
threats OF assassination. some of which
I communicated to him. Several times
I walked with him in the grounds OF
the White House at late hour of the
evening conversing upon such intelli-
gence OF the war as 1 had received.
Whenever allusion was made 10 the
intimatioEs of designs upon his Iifs
he almost playfully listened. and ap-
parently was unable to believe de-
pravity could go so far as TO destroy
a friend of all the people, such as he
felt himself to be. On one occasion
communications. IN which be was
threatened with ASSASSINATION In
laughing, joking manner he remarked:
Well, Baker, what do they want TO Kill
me for? If they do Kill me they Will
run the risk of getting a worse man
One of the few survivors OF the origi-
nal detective police force IS Egbert
IngersolI. who is spending .he evening
of his days in Los Angeles Another
member of the force was Milo Baker,
brother of the first head OF the secret
service as an organized department or
the government, who died at Los An
geles q few years ago, where he
founded the Baker iron woFkA
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

a sack. completely concealing It, AT
noon of night we placed it in a small
boat and rowed silently away with no
watchful eye upon US. 1t was strange
hour on the quiet Potomac, and yet
so great was my exhaustion that l fell
to dozing with the oar in my hand
and the sack containing the assassin's s
corpse at my feet. Further 1 can not
go--it is best to let the curtain OF
unbroken secrecy and mystery re-
main between the burial and human
curiosity"
But years afterward, for the purpose
of gratifying public curiosity and to
put at rest rumors that were In circu-
lation concerning the Identification and
final disposition OF the body Of the
assassin, Colonel Baker gave out the
following information:
I'm order TO establish the identity
of the body of Booth beyond all ques-
ton, the secretary of war directed me
to summon a number of witnesses who
had previously known the murderer.
Some two years previous to the assas-
sination of the president, Booth had
had a tuinor or carbuncle cut from
his neck by 8 surgeon / ascertained
that DR.. May had performed the opera
tion. Accordingly DIR. May. before see
ing the hcdy. minutely described the
exact locality of the tumor, the nature
and date of the operation. etc. After
being sworn, he pointed to the scar
on the neck. which was then plainly
visible. Five other witnesses were
examined. all of whom had known the
assassin intimately for years. General
Barnes. surgeon general U. s. A, cut
from Booths neck about two inches
of the spinal column through which
the ball had passed This piece Of
bone, which Is on exhibition in the
government medical museum at Wash
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

mac in a fishing boat, Baker sent to
General Hancock for % men. These
he placed under command of E. ]. Con-
ger and l.. B. Baker and 1t was but
short time until the murderer and his
accomplice had been positively located
in the Garret barn, which was within
three miles of the place indicated on
the map by Baker. 1t was night, and
as the armed men surrounded the barn,
Booth, and Harold were commanded
TO Surrender your arms and give your
selves up, or the barn will be set on
fire."
The reply that came from within was
brief and to the point:
Give me a chance for my life, cap
tain. 1 will never be taken alive.
Booth was the speaker. Harrold's nerve
had weakened. and through the half
open barn door he stuck his arms TO
receive the manacles. Meanwhile.
Booth continued to talk. Draw off
your men. captain, and i VIII nght
them singly 1 could have killed you
six times tonight, but I believe you TO
be brave man and would not murder
you. Give lame man show"-but
before he had ceased speaking Colonel
Conger had slipped around to the rear
of the barn, drawn some loose straws
through the crack and touched light
ed match to them. The straw was dry,
and, blazing up instantly, carried
sheet of smoke and flame through the
parted planlxs. Booth could be seen in
the center sof the barn. with the flame
encroaching upon him from all sides.
At the gleam of the fire he had dropped
his crutch and carbine His eyes lus-
trous and teeth fixed, he wore the ex-
preston of one in the calmness before
frenzy. Vengeance was in his eye. He
glared at the flames and. turning
toward the door to face his captors, fell,
pierced through the neck He had
been shot by Boston Corbitt, SER
egeant, who. disobeying orders, had fired
through crack of the barn. Booth
died as the morning sun cast tapering
shadows over the marshland.
The stark body of the murderer was
committed to Colonel Baker by the
secretary of war. and the, disposition
made of the corpse was the secret of
two men--Colonel Baker and his cousin
Lieutenant Baker. On the night of
April % these two men received the
corpse in rowboat. They carried
it into the darkness-and in the dark
ness it remained Speaking of the final
disposition made of it. Colonel Baker
said:
lieutenant Baker, on whose lap
Booths dying head was laid, and my
self have the dark secret to keep. The
corpse of the assassin was covered
with two blankets, sewed together like
The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28

ington. is the only relic OF the assas-
sins body above ground. and this II
the only Elutilation OF the remains that
ever occurred.
Lieutenant Baker and myself took
the body direct to the old penitentiary
adjoining the arsenal grounds. The
buildings had not been used as a prison
for some years previously. The ord
nance department had filed the ground
floor cells with hxed ammunition. One
of the largest OF these cells was Sc
lected as the burial place OF Booth.
The ammunition was removed, a large.
fiat stone uplifted from it's place and
rude grave dug. The body was dropped
in. the grave filed up, the stone re.
placed. and there rests to this day all
that remained OF John Wilkes Booth"
In their official report OF the capture
OF Booth. Colonel Conger and Lieuten-
ant Baker made the statement that
Boston Corbitr. who hred the shot.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
MESA TRANSFER SOLD.

Isaac Dana yesterday sold the Mesa
transfer company which includes aside
from his good will and business, one
team of horses and three wagons The
purchasers are Green Patterson and Lou
Trimble and the consideration was
s11OO
Mr. Patterson is the son of Walter
Patterson the well known rancher who
came here last spring from Oklahoma.
The young man with the assistance of
Lou Trimble will doubtless make a
success of the business. Mr. Trimble
is an experienced transfer man and
attends strictly to business which is a
necessary requisite in this line of work
The new addition of wagons Will give
the new company which will be run
under the name Of the Mesa transfer
company six wagons and a good tsring
of horses.
Mr.. Dana who has been highly sue
cessful in the transfer business will
now devote mis- time to ranching Aside
from his city residence he has a ten
acre ranch northwest of town and a
thirty acre tract tract southwest of
town. This according to Mr. Dana, is
neding his attention very badly and he
had arrived at that place where he
either had to give up the ranches or
give up the transfer business.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
The DAILY DolNGs
OF TEMPE PEOPLE
Short Notes of Interest About Tempe
Events.

Mr. j. f. Haigler entertained at din
ner yesterday in honor of Rev. and
Mrs. Edwin Decker of Globe, the guests
were Mr. and Mrs. /. G. Hanna. Mr.
and Mrs. j. b. Fiumerfelt and Mrs. C.
p. Mullen.
Z. ID. Boody, foreman at the Criswell
cattle range in the Superstition noun
tains, is spending a few days here look
ing up help for the fall gathering of
steers.
Mrs. A. j. Peters and baby daughter
returned yesterday from Long Beach.
b. A. Packard of Douglas is expected
here this morning.
The Rebekah meeting which was
to have been held tomorrow afternoon
has been postponed until the day fol-
lowing at the same hour.
John and Edith Mullen entertained
a party of young people at their home
Friday.
Z. n. Bergen, principal owenr of the
Los Angeles Soap company, was bus
mess visitor here yesterday.
Fred Moore is down from Prescott
Lum Martin arrived yesterday from
Camp Verde and has taken one of the
Bellamy houses for the winter. His
family will be here in short time.
Several light showers fell yesterday
in town and a few miles south, the
dust was settled.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
The Ad1er-R Rochester
Fall Styles Are Now Here

The stunning styles shown in the Adler
Rochester Style Book on display in our store
A wealth of new fabrics and models.
These makers spend $4,000 per year on their de-
signing department. Come and see their newest Gre
atoms
For forty years Adler-Rochester garments have
led in good taste and good workmanship But they
never led so far as this fall.
We have an endless Municipalities for every
occason---for the young men and the older.
Who wants the early choice?
The Adl
pictures in
ours This
where-the book
-The--
MCDOuddII < CdSSOu Co.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
LIGHT PLANT.

DR.. Palmer occupies the distinction
of being the first resident of the town
to install an electric light plant with
out getting current from the Mesa
Light & Power company. He has
equipped his car with an electrical APP
paratus for lighting purposes, the
electricity being manufactured on the
machine.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
GOES TO GLENDALE.

c. III. Gilbert and family who have
been residents of the Mesa section for
the past six years with the exception
of two years spent near Roosevelt, will
move the first part of this week to
Glendale where Mr.. Gilbert has posi-
ton with the Southwestern Sugar and
Land Company. Since coming to Mesa
Mr.. Gilbert has been gardening on an
extensive scale and he in connection
with Frank Clendennen raised some of
the best cantaloupes of the year
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
A CORRECTION.

The Republican inadvertently stat
ed yesterday morning on this page
that a-well drilled on the Jepson-An-
dersen tract southeast of town result
edsiR the waters rising to within two
and one-haif feef-0Y the surface. This
was an error, for the water rose to
within twenty-one and half feet of
the surface.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
SALE TO CONTINUE.

The Popular store has decided to
continue their money saving sale for
another week. Mr.. Bates. the proprie-
tor. is firm believer in newspaper adj
vertising and his ad. in today's paper
will be read with interest. .H
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Miss Bonnie Hawley entertained a
number of her young friends at her
home yesterday in honor of her birth
day anniversary. Light refreshments
were served and a general good time
was enjoyed by those present.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
NJ E S A
Continued from page -
DEAD HORSE NUISANCE.

The residents living along the Flor
ence road complain that there is dead
horse lying about three miles out
which shuffled off a few days ago and
1t has begun to disturb the olfactory
organism of those who pass that way.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
HERE FOR THE WINTER,

Mr.. and Mrs. Fitzgerald have arrived
in Mesa for the winter. Mr.. Fitzgerald
has accepted a position with the o, 8.
Stapley & Co. in the capacity of book
keeper.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26
SUIT FOR DIVORCE.

Ida Ackley of this place has begun
suit for divorce from her husband
John S. Ackley.
Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-09-26

TEMPE

Continued From Page 81
Wiarus. (Winona, Minn.) 1895-1919, 1909-01-07
Najnowszy %eu1ropeiski
.WynalaZek /.
ma. wzmocnienie i u%trzyma'n;e
w}os6w.

ma, wzmocnienie i %utrzymanie
w1os6w.
Opisz stan w}os6w W ]akim o.
becnie. 81, jest to g{6wnq zasadq do
poznania i odgadnienia, siabo5ci.
Jezeli w}osy pe}zna albo znajdu-
je sig }uska W g}owie, prosze wy
czesawszy suche w}osy przystaG,.
ola zbadania.
Jezeli chcecie mice feki dobre j
skuteczne, odnie6cie sic wprost do
mule, a pc uzyciu tyohze doznacie
nlezawodnych skutk6w.
Interesanci zgfsszaJacY sic do.
mnie,. winni adresowaG:
Prof. J. N Brundza, Specialist:
Broadway & South sth st.,
Brooklyn, Now York.
Powyzsze 1ekl SO znane :tylko.
mnie samemu, " zadnych sk}adacb
togo ME MAZE. Wszelkie informa-
eye darmo. Setki tysieoy roznai-
tych: {ysych, kt6rym to lekarstwo
pomog}o, zawdz'eczaja "a TAX,
wie]kie dobrodzieistwo. y :
Wiarus. (Winona, Minn.) 1895-1919, 1909-01-07

m1,;y5lalem cez,yzl o e mole
ME beda ogladae z%bowienia?
Zwierciad11sana povieIr =
wody akrzyla gig ]. 60 gwiaz .
k IS sic " niej .odbijal|yy'. j., Jed
ua . : mich zig 2 4: o 9 i &C
bl,ask < zdaWala sic p ,''|''
sic i zblizac ku mnie. Wre-
szcie staneia nademna. Upa-
diem ma twarz i uslyszaiem
CLOS n%adziemski: ,,Twoje do
bre czyny zwycie5y}y. Bio
g~oslawionys! Odkupienie JUL
nadchodzi. z dwoma innymi
2 najdalszych krahc6w ziemi
macie sic zej6c, by zobaczyc
zbawiciela j DAG 0 MIN I. 6W y
dectwo. Wsta6 i idz ma ich
spotkanie. A gdy przy ,jji
Gle do 6wietego miasta Jeru-.
zalem, pytajcie, gdzie Jest
nowonarodzony Kr6l zydow'-. :
ski. Albowiem, m6wcie, wi
d&ieli6my, gwiazde, Jego ina
wschodzie i przys}an'i .je,sste-
5my, by: Mu Geese odda6. A:
ufaj zupc}nie Duchowi, kt6::1
~ Gle bedzie prowadzi}." I
6wiat}o .wstapiio we mnie'
~, -..~ :ti;.;v": @@.tst., IA
rzadzi}o NINA !: prowadzilo: al
dc togo miejsca.
Gag dalszy nastapi.
=. ,