The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-09
.C0L,JOHN.S.MOSBY
LOSES POSI- ST IION.
FamousS SouthernerA Ask
ed to Resign From
Federal Service.
is TAKEN
BY WICKERSHAM
Virginia Colony in Washington
Is Stirred by Dismissal of
Aged Confederate Veteran
From Department of JUS
tice-Cause of Enforced
Retirement Not Known.
rc.aaial !. rhe rines-nianatnh i

Especial to The Times Dispatch.l
Washington. D. c., July s.-Colonel
John S. Mosby, the famous Confederate
cavalry leader Of Civil War days, has
lost his position as a special attorney
n the Department of Justice, after
eight years there. He was appointed
a special attorney of the department.
early in the first part of the Roose-
yeIt administration and was delegated
to break lid the cattlemen's operations
against government lands in the Mid
die West. His fearlessness in this
work in spite of numerous threats.
won him tae appreciation of President
Roosevelt He did other work of a
similar kind. showing neither fear nor
favor. In the last few years he has
been given little work on account of
his advancing age, being seyenty-three
years old, although asking that he be
assigned 10 active duty.
Fnyorite of Grant.
Colonel Mosby became Republican
soon after the Civil War, believing
that to be the best method of secur-
ing concessions to the South. He
was a special favorite OF General
Grant, who kept him in Federal posi-
tions and copsulted him often as to
important government matters. 1t is
probable that Colonel Mosby will now
devote his time to writing book of
| the Civil War, In which he took such
conspicuous part
In the absence of Attorney-General
wickersham from Washington the real
reason for Colonel Mosby's dismissal
could not be learned to-day.
After the story of Colonel Mosby' 8
retirement became generally known
here late this afternoon 1t stirred up
| the Virginia colony in Washington as
tnothing else has Gs1ne IN YEARS. Coll
lonel Mosby is opposed to appearing in
the press and has declined to talk for
publication, following his ,nvariable
rule to remain silent. 1t is learned
from close friends, however. that the
matter OF detaching him from the De-
partment Of Justice has been under
consideration by Attorney General
Wdckersham for some time. When
Colonel Mosby's son, John S. Mosby.
by The Ttmes-Dispatch correspondent
tonight he said:
Yes. we have known for some time
that my father was to sever his con-
nection with the government service.
There are personal reasons for such
action which we do not believe 1t
would be wise to make public just now.
The whole thing will be made known
no doubt at an early date"
The Probable Cause.
| 1t is understood that one of the
reasons that prompted Attorney Cen
eral Wickersham to ask for Colonel
Mosby's resignation was the fac, that
the latter had recently been assigned
to some very important work in seour-
ing evidence against prominent bust
ness mon soon to figure before the
public. He received a telegram, 1t is
said, from friends of these parties ask.
4 ing him to see that they received JUS
tice. to which he replied: IF the par.
! ties you name receive justice, they will
| go to the penitentiary.''
/. This may or may not have been the
direct cause of Colonel Mosbys forced
retirement, but it is characteristic o
the man, as the persons in whose be.
| half leniency was asked are promi.
nent in the public eye and have vas
! business interests. This probabl,
brought about his detachment from
the government service.
i Mr.. Wickersham is expected back Ii
Washington in a few days. and ther
an official statement regarding tn,
matter will no doubt be made.
p II NoH