Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-12
THE FENIAN PRISONERS.
What They have TO Say for Them
selves.
[From the Toronto Leader. June 81

[From the Toronto Leader. June 81
At half past three o'clock yesterday
morning, a special train on the Great West
ern railway, brought TO this city gang of
twenty-One prisoners, captured near Fort
Erie on Saturday and Sunday, all of them
belonging to the band of Fenian cut
throats and robbers, some of whose depre-
dations in that quarter have already been
recorded.
On arriving at the station here, the pris-
oners, who were handcutfed two and two,
were marched to the Jail, three miles dis
tant.
Shortly after seven o'clock one of our re-
porters paid visit to the Jail for the pur
pose of seeing the prisoners, and cleaning
what he could from them with regard to
their names, occupation and residence. and
also to learn, if possible, what reasonable
or other excuse they could offer for joining
in the murderous toray upon our people.
He was conducted at once to the corridor
occupied by the prisoners. The iron doors
at the end were thrown open with loud
clatter of bolts and chains; the wTetched
criminals started from the different posi-
tions they occupied, and then hastily ap-
preached their visitors, as If anxious to
hear from the outside world. The COVER
nor ordered them to "fal in," and In a
twnkling the prisoners fell into as pretty a
line as ever delighted the eye of spruce
drill sergeant. The toes formed the proper
angle with the head, their bodies were erect,
and their whole attitude that of "atten-
ton" with "eyes right" at the inspecting
visitors. Yet these men, with one or two
exceptions, all stoutly denied that they had
ever been in any military service, or lis
tened to the ''Sweet persuasions" of drill
sergeant. ..#.
Our reporter addressed the prisoners
singly, and noted the story each had to tell
in explanation of his present position.
James Diamond, a young man of twenty
two, dressed in the prevailing fashion
among 'roughs" IN American cities, said,
In reply to inquries-I live in New York,
and am moulder. | visited Buffalo last
week on business, and while there some ex-
citement arose on the opposite side of the
river. Having an uncle living at Fort Erie,
was afraid he might get into trouble, and
so concluded to pay him visit. | went
over on Sunday, and was there but short
time when was taken by the soldiers.
had pass from the Consul, but lost it, and
then l was sent on here. | am no Fenian,
and never was in the army. took no part
in any fighting. Ourreporter at this stage
saw how it was likely to be with all those
whom he was about to interrogate. and a.
cordingly, instead of asking them "Tc
what regiment of Fenians do you belong?'
changed the query to what relative were
you visiting at Fort ErieP" or, with faint
attempt at jocoseness, to "Was it the pur-
suit Of pleasure that brought you to Cana.
da?" N.'iaa. 4 s-u
I John Smith, bold youth of twenty
rather sullen in manner and untamed il
aspect said-I have no particular resi-.
dence; the last place lived in was Nash.
VILE, Tennessee. i was in the American
army for a short time. came up tron
| Nashville with the Fenians,. and visited
Fort Erie with them. was there simply
as spectator in search of amusement.