Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-09-24
Selrtted 5}listellanp.
JONI sURRATT's DOUBLE.
Five Months of Torture for Resembling The
Would-Be Assassin.

''Do you remember the mysterious pris-
oner who created such sensation at the
close of the war--the man who was arrest
ed as John II Surratt, and after being
kept in Jail for five months was released
on the ground of mistaken identity ?'
asked a gentleman as he sat lunching at
Ibach's last evening. 1t was Colonel
Johu G. Ryan, elder brother of General
Ryan, Of Virginius fame, soldierly gen
tlenan, who has been stopping in Chi
cago for some time, attending to his dead
brothers estate.
Certainly" responded the Courier
man, to whom the question was addressed.
"Well, sir" continued Colonel Ryan,
II am that individual If you would
like | will tell you the story, which may
be interesting, and it has never yet been
Published"
"By all means" echoed the reporter,
and he dropped his fork and bent, while
the colonel related the following story:
TIE ARREST AT MEMPHIS.
at was in July, 1865. The unpleas-
antness had just been brought to close
by Lees surrender, and /, in common
with many other Southern officers, began
to put about for some peaceable occupa-
ton. had gone into the Confederate SER
vice from Arkansas, and naturally enough
drfted back to that State after the sur
render. ! had reached Memphis on my
way from Mississippi, as forlorn look
ing object as you care to see. had my
side arms which under the terms of the
surrender, ! was still permitted to wear,
and to cover my seedy uniform had
bought or borrowed light capacious
buster. ! had some friends in Memphis,
and halted a day or two to see them. !
put up at the Gayoso House. and was
standing in the rotunda one evening
chatting with an old friend, Colonel
Cockerill, when gentleman approached
me and politely asked if my name was
Ryan. 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
well imagine. he turned back his coat,
exposing an official star, and remarked
that my presence was desired at the
provost marshals office. | could con-
ceive of no ofFense that ] had committed
and supposed that he had made some
mistake; so | carclessly tossed parcel,
in my hands, to the clerk of the hotel tC
put in my key box, and, remarking thai
[ would be back in half an hour, set out
upon journey that was destined to be ;
most remarkable one to me, at least
SHOCKED WITH DUMB GUARDS.
"When we arrived at the provost office
| sought information concerning my ar
rest, but could get no satisfaction.
was searched carefully, and everything
save the rags which covered me, wal
seized. A careful descriptive list was
then taken, showing my height, appar-
ent age, the color Of my eyes, and hair,
etc. / concluded from this that it was
not joke, nor any trifling matter, and
when to every question asked was re-
turned but silent shake of the head,
il is not strange that became badly
frightened, and prepared for the worst.
After little delay | was conducted to
the top Of the Irving block, which was
used as Jail. | was taken into room
and gruliiy asked to pick out place for
myself, and then heavy manacles were
placed on my wrists, heavy bands were
welded on to my ankles, a huge staple
was driven into the floor, and | was
chained fast. could not move more
than three feet from the staple. and in
the feeble condition in which four years
of privation and also sickness in the
field had left me, it was as much rs
: could do to lift my heavy weighted hands
to my mouth in eating. The physical
torture was terrible, but the mental agony
was Undesirable. Locked up in the
heart of Memphis where had thousands
Of friends but as isolated as was eyel
Robinson Crusoc conscious Of my in