The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-01-28
STORIES OF THE UNITED
STATES SECRET SERVICE
EntertaIngIY Recalled and Recorded
by Mrs. IOhn A. Logan.


tive and police organization maintained
by the government. They are not call
ed police or detectives. Inspector is
the more euphonious name applied. but
their duties and methods are the same.
No city in the country can boast of
as large or active force, and the gov
eminent sleuths have the advantage
over municipal detectives in that they
are never worried about their expense
accounts.
The county sheriff is always worried
about his fees when hunting a fugitive.
If he takes a false scent he pays for
the mistake out of his own pocket.
The government emissary is not ham
pered that way. Uncle Sam is behind
him with his strong chest; he demands
of his servants ceaseless toll. till his
journey ends with the shackles around
the quarry, and when that is accom-
plished he doesn't growl over the ex-
pense.
There's a story of the service that a
revenue agent wired from a station in
the Tennessee mountains that Bent
Elverson, a daring mOonshiner, had
gone De Functe. Whether the or
biography was that of the agent or the
operator matters not; Washington
looked up the geography, decided that
it was in Gaul and instructed the sender
to hold his ground and it would secure
French eXtradition papers.
In 1884 John R. Cason, an agent I'M
der Dan insolvency, chief of the Wash
ington department., joined the Boss
Buck gang of counterfeiters, operating
about Edensburg, Pa, and remained
with them nearly year before he Sc
cured the evidence necessary to convict
every one Of the band, which was seat
tered over several countries.
a lieuteraut Of the boss was an in
fiuential member Of the church. and his
daughter, who did not dream her pious
dad got the money for her gowns by
making the queer, " sung in the choir.
The agent was a good baritone warbler,
and he was soon raising his voice along
side that of Miss Daisy S, and later he
became engaged to her. Cason always
carried about him letter purporting to
be from his sister. who begged him to
give up his wicked ways and become a
law-abiding man. This saved his life
on one occasion. Three of the counter
feiters ambushed him and demanded
the privilege of searching him. They
read that letter and concluded he must
be all right, which through the law $
eyes would mean "all wrong" When
Cason and McSweeney finally made
their debut in the court with Boss Buck
and his clan, the defendants were tire
mendousy aggrieved at the conduct of
the recruit, but Miss Daisy, whose papa
was there in irons, took it the hardest.
Il never would have though you
guilty Of such meanness, Sam, she said
with fearful eyes, addressing her iance;
"you could sing so beautifully"
A few years ago William J. Reed,
postoffice inspector, with headquarters
at st. Louis, stalked into the postoffice
of an Arkansas hamlet unannounced. 1t
was his first visit to the place, and when
he explained who he was the postmas-
ter extended warm hand.
Glad to see you" he said. ''Been
looking for you for some time. Here's
the money and thar's the books. Ex-
cuse me for minute while | go out to
get drink.
The inspector suggested it would be
better if he would remain while he ran
over the books. He did this, figured
how many stamps had been ordered,
how many on hand, and then estimated
how much money there ought to be.
It's all thar-right in that sack"
said the postmaster, nervously.
Great Scott!'' he exclaimed.
"Where the blazes did you get oil
them pennies?"
Took 'em in. Amt they good?"
asked the postmaster.
There was nothing but pennies, over
a quart of them. The inspector began
col nting, not observing the postmaster
edging toward the door. Next minute
he heard the door shut and the post
master was gone. The inspector took
out after him and after a half-mile
chase caught him.
"What you running for?" demanded
the inspector.
''You ain got no right to arrest me
till you count up and find out whether
Pm short or not, said the postmaster
care you short?"
The man trembled bit and then
broke down
Yes" he said 'I'ye been borrow
ing stealing-money from the govern
ment for year. got to specializing,
and went on deeper and deeper, always
thinking | could pay back before you