The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-09-04
aTRuTH srRANeER mas FIcTIoN. .

"TRuTH STRANGER THAN FICTION"
This saying was fully verified last
Tuesday on the arrival Of the steamboat
Natoma, for among her passengers was
Mr.. II. III. Lee, formerly citizen Of
Madison, Saint Francis county, 10 this
State, but who has been prisoner, IN
close confinement, for the past six years
aud half. So close was his confinement
that he never vas allowed tho privilege
of communicating with the outside world,
not even his own family, who were in the
greatest distress at his sudden aud mys.
terious disappearance, aud that too at a
time when their worst fears were being
daily realized From short conversa-
ton had with Mr.. Lee, We learned the
following leading points connected with
his abduction aud detention in loathsome
prison in the State of Wisconsin, and in
free America: In November, 1862, Mr..
Lee went to Memphis, then occupied by
Federal troops. forthe purpose of procur.
ing some supplies; he was arrested and
thrown into the Irving Block, then occu.
pied as a prison he remained there one
night aud that evening, with other pris-
oners, was shipped on board the ST. Cloud
EN- route for Camp Douglas, in Illinois.
Arriving there, the officer in charge OF
the Camp inquired what were the charges
against Lee, and was told that he was
arrested for specializing in Confederate
money. The Camp officer declined to
receive him. as there was no law forbid.
ding speculation in money of any kind.
The Lieutenant having Lee in custody
said they would take him to Rock Island
then, as they would take any one there.
He was accompanied by seven men as
guards, aud they concluded to have a
grand spree before returning to Men,
phis for active duty. So went to Milwau.
kee. Wisconsin, and we're going to put
Lee in Jail for safe keeping, until they
had visited their friends and finished the
spree laid out for themselves. In the
meantime Lee had resolved on escaping,
in which determination he was heartily
Joined and assisted by one of the guards
having him in charge. They made their
escape but were pursued and captured
alter few shots had betn exchanged.
Mr. Lee was then imprisoned in the Mil
'Waukee jail and there kept in close con-
fnement for two years and > half without
being brought to trial. At the end of
that time he was taken out and sentenced
without triaD to four years imprison-
ment in branch of the State prison lOca.
ted at Madison, Wisconsin.
During the four long years of his con-
fnement at Madison he was not allowed
to write 10 his friends, never saw news
paper nor book of any kind, but was as
effeetually excluded from the world as any
living man ever was before. His health
was good all the time, but he came near
freezing with cold the first three winters.
The fourth he Jared better. The time
came at last for his release, and with a
heart full of thanks to God for the preser-
VatiOn of his life, his first thought and
purpose was TO seek his wife and child
he went to Cincinnati and there met with
an old school-mate who told him that his
wife was dead-his child he knew both
ing Of Could it be possible? He left
there Immediately for Memphis; arriving
there he was received as one risen from
the dead by his many friends. and from
.one of them he received the joyful tidings
that his wife and daughter. now grown
young lady, we're not only living, but were
we'll and doing we'll Tears of JOY were
shed, and renewed thanks to Almighty
God for his protecting care filed the
heart of the released captive. The swift
ness of the telegraph was commanded 70
fash the glad tidings to the dear wife Of
his heart, informing her that him for
whom she had mourned as dead still lived,
and would meet her in jackson on the
18th inst. They met. and such meet
ing as it was never occurred within or
knowledge. The joy of The wife at the
sight of her restored husband was too
great, and swoon after swoon followed ia
rapid succession.
The news spread rapidly. and many Of
our citizens called upon the happy re-uni-
ted family, to express their JOY at seeing
ats members once more joined togetherin
the bonds of love. We have seldom ever
witnessed more affecting scene. Mr..
and Mrs. Lee left Tuesday evening for
Batesville, their future home.