From the St. Paul (Minn.) Globe, 10/14/1900, p. 19, c. 6

MISS VAN LEW’S HISTORY.
Story of the Life of the Federal Spy Left to Boston Man.
Richmond (Va.) Special Baltimore Sun.

The most interesting feature about the will of the late Miss Elizabeth L. Van Lew, whose espying services for the Union cause made her a conspicuous figure, was the bequest of her manuscripts. These she gives to Mr. John Philip Reynolds, of Boston. These manuscripts are known to contain a history of Miss Van Lew’s life, and especially that part connected with the war. In these papers she tells how she assisted the escaped prisoners from Libby to elude arrest and get through the Confederate lines. She also tells in them some of her narrow escapes in being detected by the Southern officials in communicating with Gen. Grant and other federal commanders, who were then hovering around the capital of the Confederacy. Among these Van Lew papers, too, are some interesting letters written her by Gen. Grant and Ben Butler, mostly, it is believed, acknowledging the valuable services rendered the Union cause by Miss Van Lew. Mr. Reynolds, of Boston, to whom the deceased bequeaths this manuscript, was one of her best friends.

Since Miss Van Lew’s death it has become known that she received from a Boston gentleman an annuity of about $1,000. This was sent to her regularly on the 20th of each month. The friend who made this contribution to the lady’s support was one of the officers who tunneled out of Libby prison at the time so many made their escape from there. It is understood that Miss Van Lew aided in getting him through the lines to his home in Boston. For these valuable services the grateful officer, after the war, or, rather probably after Miss Van Lew lost her government employment, made arrangements to allow her the sum named in monthly installments, and continued it to the time of her death. Only a few days before the end the old lady was counting the time when the day would roll around upon which her allowance would reach her hands by mail. She was not disappointed. The check from her liberal and grateful friend came just three or four days before her earthly career closed.

The old Van Lew home, which was once one of the picturesque in Richmond, will now be sold to divide the estate. The mansion, though, is much the worse for age and sadly out of repair. It is doubtful if it brings more than the market value of the extensive grounds attached to it.

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