The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-12-15
the origin of the proceedings or suspicious
AGAINST her. They knew that Van Ness had

the origin of the proceedings or suspicious
apa;nst her. They knew that Van Ness had
barely escaped death from poisoning, and that
General Ketchum had died from the effects OF
noison in lhe house of their friend. Yet they
beI had every confidence In her, and firm reli.
auce not only in her fast friendship, bnt In her
eminent Christianity. They suspected the
servants, and when Mrs. Loney secreted the
punch tumber In her pocket for the purpose
OF showing it to DR.. Williams, she told MIS-.
Wharton what she had done. They went up
stairs together to General Ketchum's room,
and Mrs. Wharton called Mrs. Hutton out, tell
ing her that her sister wanted to see her In
the room opposite. In that room the Two SIS
t. rs-Mrs. Hutton and Mrs. Loney, Mrs. Van
Ness not being present-discussed the
matter together. and arrived at the con-
clusion, of which Mr.. Wharton was
at the time a supporter, mat some
oflht servants had a.done me ;ionl 9eeo.
They took Mrs. Wharton into their confidence,
consulted with her about showing thessedi.
ment In the tumbler 10 DR.. Williams, and
treated her from that hour forward, up 10 the
time OF the disclosures made to- Them 3V lne
police officers, as frIend-aye, not only as
friend, but as another. When, however, Dr.
williams. General Brice, and the authorities,
explained the case to them as 1t now stands
made up for the prosecution, they changsd
their minds. Then, for the first time, they
were enabled to recall incidents and circum-
stances which they had previously overlooked.
and which now tend 10 confirm Lheir bellel OF
Mrs. Wharton's guilt. This statement Is que
to them, In view of the fact that they nave
been falsely represented as MALICIOUS persecu-
tors of their former friend, and the further
fact that, they being LADIES of Retirement and
cultivation, they have no means at iheir com,
mand with which 10 reiute the widespread
aspersions Of their motives.
The county jait OF Anne Arnntel county, IN
which Mrs. Wharton Is confined, Is q three
and a half storylbrlck building, out Oh winch
negro and other eonyicts make easy escapes
by pushiug holes through the soft walls. IL Is
one of the oldest of the mauy very Old build
inys In this quaint old-iashioned town. !ts
outward appearance Is as inappropriate 10 its
inner uses as ole could well imagine. 1t looks
more like O small factory or G very oldiasnlon,
ed dwelling than prison.. 1t ID Sllrrounaea
on three sides with yard incloseo Dy nish
brick wall, and fronts abruptly TO the nortn on
Calvert street-yuu Will seldom nnG r.n any. .niue
la MARYLAND without the name "CalVert" at-
tached 10 It. Since aud during the war IL mas
been well filed, as rule, butts now compara-
tiyely empty, o., except Mrs. wharton, lnere
are only seven prisoners within lis walls.
Mrs. Wharton's cell is on The second floor,
norlhwes. corner, and c'rectly opposite Inc
apartments occupied by ne family OF tne
IL. a
only windows In its TWO, overlooking the
north, being barred, as wei! rs The door, which
is of thick, double plank, and has heavy Iron
bolts en- the outside, and heavy padlocKs
with Which to securely fasten II. The apart
meRt is about thirteen by seventeen leeC IN
size and is carpetted and furnished by mrs
Wharton herself. From this room Mrs. Whar-
ton is daily conveyed to carriage In the pr-
vale or sherifr's entrance Of The jail, ana
thence driven 10 the courthouse. She returns
to it In the same way, and 1s prlVilfgeo 10
climb TO the second floor by private stalr-
way, so that she Is never seen by or comes ID
contact with The other prisoners. Her meals
are sent from Blacks restaurant, al her own
expense, and she Is waited upoR by q colorcd
servant girl, whom she has hlred since ner ar
rival here from Baltimore.
The view from the windows embraces the
rolling country on the north side Of The town,
together with the slragglins tenemegts OF Inc
poorer classes of people who reside In the
Suburbs. It Is far from emicing. On the
right, toward the west, you get gllmpse OF
the sombre monuments and tombstones IN
the Episcopal Cemetery, the ilag waving over
the United States Hospital In the dim dis
tance, and Immediately In front, the cupola OF
the Stanton school-house for coored people.
A shallow stream, now. partly frozen over,
winds its narrow way through deep gully ON
the opposite side Of the street, ana bleak
common intervenPS toward Ine WcSI OeIWecH
her and a few priva.o dwellings OF respectable
architecture.
On the mantel, directly over o very large and
comfortable wOod-stove, she keeps her Bible,
Book of Common Prayer, and Thoughts on the
Services, by Coke. There ure no attempts TO re-
lieve the bare and dismal appearance OF the
newly while-washed walls by ornament or en-
cravings. About the room are cologne, nalr
restorative and other toilette articles: me
appearance OF the room Is cherries, and Is only
relieved from actual bleakness by It's neat and
cleanly system OF arrangement, which SHOWS
that the occupant Is woman Oh lastdlous
taste. Mrs. Wharton Is allowed 10 receive sncn
visitors as she chooses to admit, and has re-
ceived O number OF old friends, including many
ladies' In conversation she seldom refers To
her present misfortune, except 10 declare ner
ability 10 establish her innocence. She enters
into The discussion of ordinary topics Win
great avldily. and were 1t not for her sur
charge now pending against her. Shets reg
Mar in her devotional exercises, has q talr ap-
petite, and seems satisfied that her incarcera-
ton will not be ofloug duration. She exhlots
a spirit Of restlessness at times, the very nat
urai result of long confinement; but, oil things
considered, Is wonderfully contented and pa
tiently resigned to her fate.
Mr. White, the warden of the jail, Is exceed
insiy attentive TO 'har wants, rs Is also the
Sheriff and his family. The colored prisoners,
in theadjoiniug apartments on the same loor
seem to entertain great respect Tor her, and
are remarkably quiet when sheis In the build
ing.