Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-10-14
NUMBER 2e.

compliments OF }. w. Fuller, your
;, fellow prisoner ve-y man the
/ Chronicle had supposed me tobe.
then for the first time discovered
my identity. | was John II. Surratt
Delighted visions of speedy punish
ment, and nervous sensation about
the left ear, as though the hangman's
knot was there, came over me. Pow
erless to defend myself, because una
ble to communicate with any one, I
gave up in despair, and fell down or
the stone floor of my damp cell ana
cried like child. The thought of
my situation absolutely paraIyzed me
The guard noticed me as lay there,
and when | recovered myself | no.
ticed him gazing upon me intently.
Finally, rs if he could contain him
self no longer, he broke out: "Is
not your nar:e Ryan, eyes, SIR"
answered, in great surprise at find
ing one who seemed to know ne.
"Were you in Forests command in
Mississippi" ?" he continued. Yes"
"Do YOU remember on such day
saving young prisoners life, al such
a place, in such manner?" When
he told me the story, | recalled the
incident fairtly, and the recognition
was complete. After that he could
not serve me to often, and was con-
stantly pressing me TO call upon him
for favor.
Very soonI borrowed his note
book and pencil, and scribbled line
to Sir Frederick Bruce. the British
minister. An uncle of mine had
served with him IN India, fact to
which called his attention. | rela-
ted my experience, and asked him to
aid me. made one most unfoftu
n ,te'mistake / forgot to mention that
the guard had smuggled the letter to
| i ; destination. The result was that
he received an open answer. which
the prison authorities read, and thus
nv communication with the outside
world was discovered. The prison
keeper called me out and ordered me
to disclose the name of the person
who had taken my note from tho
| Jail. Ofcourse | refused. | was
then put in tho sweat box, neat de-
vice for the punishmentof the refrac-
tory. 1t was 4 pen just large enough
to admit my body, standing and on
the floor was the register through
which came the steam from the kitch-
en- combined with the effluvia from
the urilals.
When entered had no idea of
ever esclping alive, but WIS de-
termined to die rather than divul ge
the name Of my beneiactor. | en-
dured the thing for three weeks.
although ! often felt very near death,
AS now believe | Was. Ny suffer.
ings were somewhat mitgated by my
guard. who when unobserved, would
open my door and give me breath
Of air. As reward of 800, 600 wa'
offered for Surratt, have no doubt
that Baker purpo>ed killing ne, with
the idea that he c0ull bury me a. he
had Booth that the real Surr,tt
would never turn up. and thlt
he could get the reward without
question. | may be SrJng, but |
think am not.
was taken from the sweat box
with my spirit unbroken, and sud-
denly, without the slightest prcmoni-
ton, was walked into lh" generals oil
ice aud released. ] then learned the
dav and month, and found that mpre
thqn five months had rolled away
>in e my arrcstai Memphis. ! made
my way to my friend, and they adj
vi>cd me 10 make no effort at eek.
lng redress ~ the time, ~ The cn n.
try was IN a high state Of excitement
and could expect nothing. 80 !
settled down. and have been an hum.
bic citizen ever .lnce.