The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-05-13
No one could see without emotion this

No one could see without emotion this
fine old man, whose features seemed te
be fac-simile of those of Benjamin
Franklin, walking up and down the mar
row passages of the prison, seeking little
fresh air from the loop-holes which
looked out on the Jardin des Plantes
His lorg dressing gown of flannel or white
dimity announced his approach, and it
was then curious and touching sight to
see the groups OF prisoners separate to
let him pass. Some of them cleared
away at his approach the corridor, which
was often encountered with furniture
and others took away the humble stoves
on which they cooked their food, for
fear that the odor of the charcoal might
be disagreeable to him.
This universal love Col. Swan fully de-
served. This veteran of the prison had
marked every day of his Imprisonment
by good deeds performed most mysteri
ously and anonymously. No miserable
| prisoner had knocked at his door in
vain and often, coming there to seek
bread, had found liberty.
These deeds were often renewed. A
poor young girl coming to pay her old
imprisoned father a birthday visit had
received letter at the grating, which
the keeper directed her to give to the
prisoner at the same time she gave him
the bouquet which she carried.
The old man unfolded the paper and
read these words:
al acknowledge to have received from
M - (the name of the prisoner) the
sum Of $40 francs, being the principal,
interest and expenses of the sum for
which he is imprisoned in Sainte
Pelagie. / also give, by these presents,
the authority to NJ. Papin (the jailer) to
discharge the saN prisoner as soon as
possible"
This note was signed by the creditor
of the old man.
1t is useless to say that Col Swan had
mysteriously taken the place of the
debtor in sending money TO the creditor.
One single creditor kept the Colonel
prisoner, and every year this creditor,
hoping to bend the firm will of the old
man, called him to the grating and
offered him a compromise.
The prison superintendent and off cials
urged him to accept these propositions,
which would restore HIM to his country
and family.
He smiled sadly, and turning TO the
turnkey said to him: Let US go, my
friend-lead me to my room" He
saluted the creditor, saying, "Au reu0ir,
W0nSleHr--; next year"
About the year 1929 the ha5itues of the
Jardin DIES Plantes could see from the
labyrinth of walks an old man prone
nading every day on the gallery which
Overlooks the prison of Sainte Pelagie.
This old man was Col. Swan. The
surgeons required that this father of the
prison should be permitted TO breathe a
purer air than the atmosphere he had
breathed so long.
The Colonel awaited himself gratefully
of this privilege, but, as if he had been
warned by some secret presentiment, he
told the doctors that the brisk air of lib
erty would kill his body, accustomed to
the heavy atmosphere of the prison.
Some months aftcrward the cannons
of the 9th of July Numbered. On the
2Sth the gates of this commercial bastile
were opened.
All the prisoners went out. Col. Swan
became free, and the last hour of his
| captivity was about to strike.
After the popular triumph he went to
press to his heart his old friend Lafayette,
and on the steps of the Hotel de Vile
was realized the prediction the prisoner
of Sainte Pelagie had made of himself
"Thc, brisk air of liberty will kill my
| body, 50 long accustomed to the heavy
atmosphere of the PRISON. and on the
next day the old soldier of Sainte Pc
lagic closed his eyes upon that soil
which had so long been inhospitable to
| him,