Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-12-28
4 P0ep into tho Old oaniLol pri,
From the New York World.

q 00p Aoto Inc via capitol Prison.
Statement Of an old Gentleman pho ,,os yol5,5
ana arrested 'obile at Waslmqtog 10 yisa Il,
Son IN tie Army.
AIR. Bonnet c. Fowler, of Fairhaveu.
Connecticut, who has just been released
from the Old Capitol Prison at Washing
ton, called at this Office Yesterday and
made brief statement of his case as foi-
lows last fall he left his home to travel
Tor the benefit of his health. which wa,
very poor, and to ascertain in regard To
his son, who was serving in the Union ar
my. On his arrival at Washington for
That purpose he put up ut the Mitchell
House That night, after he had retired
70 ms room, three men, not in uniform
! orohe inIo ms room, and declaring that
they were United States detectives. pre-
tended to arrest him. The frst question
they asked him was, chow much money
have you ~ lie told them the amount cf
iis money, and they immediately procee-
ded 10 steal one hundred and thirty odd
ac!l@rs. Two Of them then left, and the
remaining one, without any explanation,
exhibition OF warrant of any kind. or al
legation OF any kind took him to the Old
Capitol prison, at Washington and put
him into cell. Mr.. Fowler's baggage
was also robbed and not even shirt was
left him. Days and weeks passed and
Mr. Fowler's health, already delicate. de-
clIned rapidly. The room swarmed with
loathsome yermin, which seemed toabound
in every thread of the miserable old blank
cts that were given him for bed. The
food he spoke OF as most horrible Break
last consisted Of cup of muddy slush
called coffee, but hardly fit even to throw
IN the gutter, two or three liltle cakes of
hard tack, and small piece Of still-fed
pork that would oitentmes fall in pieces
from its own weight when taken up with
tho fingers. Dinner was composed of
something they called beansoup. with.
once 4 week, dish of vegetable soup and
a piece Of beef hordly the size of three fin
gers. supper was often piece of bread
ana coffee sometimes q piece of hard
tack with mogsots crawling in it. Meth
or knife, fork, nor spoon was allowed
When any oneof the prisoners looked out
oTthe windows, they were told to put their
heads back or they would be Cred at
Last Thursday, through the influence of
somo friends, and member OF Congress.
hlr toWler was released IN officer came
to the prison with an unconditional ro-
lease from Assistant Secretary Dana. No
questions were asked Of him, nor was the
oath of allegiance rendered, nor the mo.
ney returned which had been stolen, and
no Is entirely ignorant Of any chargas
against him or any reasons why he should
have been arrested. lie never heard anv
reason given. lie comes from the prison
with shattered health; "for," said he nj.
most with the simplicity of second child
hood, that horrible, horrible place has
almost killed me-" Such were the odven-
lures of an old man, going to the capital
Of the United States 10 seek information
of his son in the Union army. The woyH
was not allowed to bo read bv the prison
ers, but the Washington Chronicle, and
papers OF that stamp, that fitted well with
tho condition Of tho prison, were allowed
to circulate freely. Mr.. Fowler stated
that Col. Wood, the superintendent. see
med courteous and kindly disposed, and
lie believed that tho condition Of the pris-
on must have been the fault of sonro ono
else as he thinks Col. Wood a most gau-
erous and noble man,