The Elbert County tribune., 1912-05-17

a. a result Of some freak OF pre-
natal suggestion, the love of ad-
venture was born in me- deep-planted and long
rooted. Excitement is as essential to my ex-
istence air and food. Through It my life
has been prolonged in activity and my soul has
been perpetuated In youth: when can no
longer enjoy its electrihcation death. hope.
will come quickly.
have served. all told. under eighteen nags.
and to each gave the best that was in me.
In following my natural bent. It perhaps will
be considered by some people that have gone
outside of written laws. To such my answer
is that have always been true to my own con-
science and to my country.
Redblooded love of adventure. free from any
wanton spirit and with the prospect of fnan-
cial reward always subordinated. has been the
driving force in all my encounters with good
men and bad with the latter class much in
the majority. The name by which I am known
Il one of the contradictions OF my life. Save
only for my father. who sympathized with my
adventurous disposition at the time that
he tried to curb 1t. was at war with my fam
fly almost from the time could talk. When
left home to become an adventurer around
the globe buried my real name, and do not
propose to uncover It, here or hereafter.
In the course of my activities I have used
many names In many lands. but that Of Boyn-
ton. which had been in the family for years.
stuck to me until 1 finally adopted 1t. prefix
ing George and B.. which really stands
for Boynton.
was born May 1, 1912. on Fifth avenue
New York. not long way north Of Washing
ton Square. My father a distinguished
surgeon and owned large estate on Lake
Champlain, where most OF my youthful sum-
me& were spent.
After a somewhat scattered series of esca-
pades. which increased the ire of the family
and intensified my dislike of their prosaic
protestations. my father solemnly declared his
intention of sending me to the United States
Naval Academy I delighted. The ma
chinery to procure my appointment had been
set in motion and I was ready to take the
examination when the opening gun of the Civil
war fired at Fort Sumter. April 12, 1861
was Immediately seized with a wild desire
to be in the fight. My father would not con
sent to it. account Of my age, but promised
that II / would wait year. he would try to
get me a commission. My sympathies were
with the South, but 1t was more convenient to
take the other side. and at that moment was
not particular about principles. The family
were duly Mortified evening when 1 went
: home and told them had enlisted. The next
day my father bought my discharge and hus-
tied me out to Woodstock ILL.,, where I was
placed in charge of uncle.
He prevented my joining infantry regi
ment but I got away with cavalry regiment
some months later and was made one of its
officers. We went to Cairo. ILL.,. and from
there by transport to Pittsburg Landing, where
we arrived Just in time to take part in the
battle fought April and Z. 1852 1 was Sc
verely wounded in that engagement.
When I was discharged from the hospital
was sent into the Tennessee mountains in
charge OF detachment to intercept contra
band which being gent into the south from
Cincinnati.
Soon after my return to headquarters con-
tracted bad case of malaria and sent
home which meant back to Woodstock, where
had eloped with a bankers daughter Just
l.cHo rx,gp To fha rant 7 ruoo Af~ur1 ufud
with the war and I expressed byself SO freely
and was outspoken in my sympathy for the
South. that l made myself unpopular in very
short time
At any rate the people set their hearts on
hanging me for being "a - copperhead "
and they might have done It II old man Well
burn. the proprietor of the hotel at which my
wife and 1 staying. had not helped me
to stand OF a mob that came after me.
That experience intensified by dissatisfac-
ton with the whole business and I sent in my
resignation 1t was accepted, and when 1 had
thought 1t all over I considered that I was
lucky to have escaped court-martial
had heard that Carlos Manuel de Cespedes
was fomenting revolt In Cuba, which alter.
ward was known the Ten Years War" and
had conceived the idea of taking a hand in 1t.
While was wondering how could get into
communication with Cespedes by interest was
aroused by a newspaper story of the new block
ade-runner Letter B. There much
money In blockade-running that the owners
could well AFFORD to lose her after she had
made three successful trips.
In FIVE minutes decided to become block
ade-runner and to buy the and already
famous ship, If she was to be had at any price
within reason. bought letter of credit and
took the next ship for Bermuda. On my ar.
rival there found that the Letter had been
expected in for several days from her second
trip and that there considerable anxiety
about her also learned that her owner was
building second ship on the same lines and
for the trade. A fresh cargo OF muni
lions OF war was awaiting the Letter B, and 9
ship ready to take to England the cotton
she world bring.
got acquainted with the agent for the