The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-25
JOHN SURRATT'S DOUBLE.
Mistaken for One Of the COnspirators
Against President Linco1n's Life,
HE Suffers Six Months E.NprisOn-


oner who created such sensation at the
close OF the war the man who was ar
rested as John II. Surratt, and, after be-
ing kept in Jail for five months, was re-
leased ON the ground Of mistaken iden.
tity 2" asked a gentleman, as he sat
lunchns at lbach' S last evening. 1t was
Col. John G. Ryan. elder brother Of Gen.
Ryan, of Virginius fame, soldierly gen.
tlc,nan, who has been stopping in Chi
cago for some time, attending to his dead
brothers estate.
"Certain(y,'' responed the Co.rier
man, to whom the question was add
dressed.
"Wcll, SIR continued Col. Ryan, Il
am that individual. If you would like, l
will tell you the story, which may be in
tcresting, and it has never yet been pub
lished.
Spy all mcans,' echoed the reporter.
and nc dropped his fork and bent, all at
tention, while the Colonel related the fol-
lowing story:
THE ARREST AT MEMPHIS.
'It was in July 1865. The unpleasant
ness had just been brought to a close by
Lees surrender, and |, in common with
many other Southern officers, began to
put about for some peaceable occupation.
/ had gone into the Confederate service
from Arkansas, and naturally enough
drifted back to that State after the sur
render. l had reached Memphis on my
way from Mississippi, as forlorn looking
object as you would care to see. had
my side arms, which, under the terms of
the surrender, l was still permitted to
wear, and, to cover my seedy uniform,
had bought or borrowed light but cap
acious buster. I had some friends in
Memphis and halted day or two to see
them. | put up at the Gayoso House,
and was standing in the rotunda one cvc-
ming chatting with an old friend, Colonel
Cockcrll, when gentleman approached
me and politely asked if my name was
Ryan. l replied that it was. Colonel
Ryan, Of Arkansas! he asked. The
same,' | responded. Thinking it must be
some friend whose name had escaped me,
/ extended my hand to shake his, when,
to my establishment, as you can we'll i'm
agine, he turned back his coat, exposing
an official star. and remarked that my
presence was desired At the provost mar
shal's office. could conceive of no Of
Tense had committed, and supposed that
he had made some mistake, so careless
ly tossed parcel in my hands to the
clerk of the hotel to put in my key-box,
and, re1narking that would be back in
half an hour, set out upon a journey
able one, to Inc at least.
SHOCKED WITH DUMB GUARDS.
"When we arrived at the provost office,
l sought informa ton concerning my
strange arrest, but could get no satisfac.
ton, Twas searched carefully, and every
thing, save the rags that covered me, Was
seized. A careful disc, iptive list was then
taken, showing my height, apparent age,
the color of my eyes, and hair. etc. |
concluded from this it was no joke. nor
any tliing matter. and when to every
question | asked, was returned but 4 81
lent shake Of the head, it is not S: range
that | became badly frightened, and pre-
pared for the worst. After little delay,
I was conducted to the top Of the Irving
block, which was used as Jail. | was
taken Into room and yruttIy asked to
pick out a clace for myself, and then hca-
Wy manacles were placed on my wrists,
heavy bands were welded Oh to my ANGLES,
a huge staple was driven into the floor.
and was chained fast. could not move
more than three feet from the staple, and,
III the feeble condition in which four years
Of vrivation and sickness in the field
had left me, it was as much as I could
do to lift my heavily weighted hands to
my mouth in eating. The physical tor
ture was terrible, but the mental agony
was lndiscribable. Locked up in the heart
of Memphis, where l had thousands Of
friends, but as isolated as was ever Robin.
son Crusoe-conscious Of my innocence Of
any crime under the law, but unable to
even catch hint Of the accusations
against me, it will take powerful effort
of your imagination to realize my situa.
ton. | have since learned that some
friends did hear of my arrest and called
upon the General commander for an cx-
PLANTATION, but were treasured by the
statements, no doubt honestly made, that
It was not Col. Ryan who was IN Jail, but
very important state prisoner Who has
assumed Col. Ryan name. But, perhaps,
am wearying you!" =.
mot at all; I am all ears.''
TAKEN TO WASHINGTON.
*'Wel, after had been there for some
days, was suddenly unshackled and con.
Quoted to another floor. My heart lean.
ed at the thought Of freedom, but all
hope was soon dispelled by the appear.
ance of a blacksmith with fresh manacles.
Instead Of chains and staple, it was now
chain and ball. Attached to each ankle
was chain carrying a sixty-four pound
ball, and from my handcuffed hands ran
light chain to the single maaacled arm
Of guard. was thus clothed for new
journey, whittier knew not; for what
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