Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-09-24
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER a. 1875

nuCcHtt VI dHy CIlilt uluci thc laws buu
unable to even catch hint of the accu
sations against me, it will take power
full effort of your imagination to realize
my situation | have since learned that
some friends did hear of my arrest and
called upon the General Commanding
for an explanation. but were roassured
by the statements, no doubt honestly
made, that it was not Colonel Ryan who
was in Jail, but very important state
prisoner who had assumed Colonel Ryan's
name. But perhaps | am wearying
your
"Not at all | am all ears"
TAKEN TO WASHINGTON.
"Well, after | had been there for
some days, | was suddenly unshackled
and conducted to another floor My
heart leaped at the thought of freedom,
but all hope was soon dispelled by the
appearance of blacksmith with fresh
manacles. Instead of chain and staple,
it was now chain and ball Attached to
each ankle was chain carrying sixty
pound ball, and from my hand-cufled
hands ran light chain to the single
manacled arm of a guard. | was thus
clothed for a new journey whittier | knew
not; for what purpose, could not dream
II was placed in a close carriage, with
armed guards all about me (two of chem
holding revovers on their laps as we
rode, )and driven to the cars. In a sre-
cial car, under Captain Smith with an
Illinois guard, who by the way, were
very kind and attentive, except that they
never weuld converse with me upon the
subject of my arrest or probable destina-
ton, we rode to Cairo, and thence to
Baltimore, Md
ATTACK BY A MOB.
cat Baltimore large crowd had
gathered at the depot to await my arrival.
1t seems that the New York Heratd and
other papers had been publishing sensa-
tional reports of the mysterious prison
er,' the man with an iron mask, etc i,
then enroute for Washington, and the
populace were so excited that they pro-
posed lynching me. We had to change
cars, and the people jammad up against
me with all manner Of threats. Many
of them displayed arms, and for a time
it looked as if general engagement be-
tween them and my guards was certain.
One bully succeeded in getting close to
me and encouraged me with threat to cut
my heart out. 1t was more than could
stand, and | struck him full in the face.
Wild commotion followed and was pref
ty roughly handled, and, when we gain
ed new car, was very thankful for hay
ing escaped alive.
IN TIE OLD CAPITAL PRISON.
"When we reached Washington was
taken at once to the Old Capital Prison
and locked in a cell, with silent guard
before the door. could look from my
garrett window and see the Goddess OIL
Liberty on the Capital dome. To one ii
my situation, imprisoned while innocent
it seemed a wild travesty on genuine
freedom. Could you blame me? ] sal
there in this condition until one day
heard noise below me and thought there
might be a fellow prisoner there who
could serve me. SO | happened to have
piece of Irvine in my pocket, and
found a scrap of writing paper in cblnk
in the cell wall rubbed my finger il
the iron rust on the CRATE bars, and wrote
a request for reading matter, and lowered
it from my window. Pretty soon | fel
little nibblc, and little while after {
loud whisper, haul away, and | haulet
away, and found a copy of the Washing
ton Chronicle on my hook.
AN ODD INCIDENT.
"Thc first article that | hit upon wa
the account Of the capture and incarcera
ton of the mysterious prisoner VIII
was supposed by Baker, chief of the de-
tcctiye corps, to be no other man thai
John II. Surratt. the conspirator agains
Mr.. Lincoln's life, but who. the Chroni
Gle editor thought, was one Fuller, a fal
low who had been floating about Wash
ington. and who looked not unlike Sur
raft. 1t was little amusing that OF
the margin Of the paper found written
The compliments of j. w. Fuller, YOU
; fellow-prisoner--thc very man th'
Chronicle supposed me to be.
II then for the first time discovered
my identity. / was John Surratt De-
liehtfnl visions Of speedy punishment.
and nervous sensation about the left
, ear, as though the hangsman's knot was
: there, came over me Powerless to de-
fend myself, because unable to commu-
nieatc with any one, !
GAVE UP IN DESPAIR,
and fell down on the stone floor of my
damp cell and cried like child. The
thought Of my situation absolutely par
alyzed me. The guard noticed me as |
Law there. and when | recovered myself
| noticed him gazing upon me intoutly.
Finally, as if be could contain himself
no longer, be broke out, Is not your
name Ryan, yes, sir | answered. in
great surprise at finding one who seem.
ed to know me. Were you in FORESTS
command in Mississippi 2 he continued
Yes DO you remember on such ;
day saving young prisoners life a
such a place, in such mannerY Whcr
he told me the story. recalled the in.
cident family and our recognition wa
complete After that he could not serve
me too often, and was constantly press.
ing me to call upon him for favor
Very soon ] borrowed his notebook anC
pencil, and scrubbed
a LINE TO SIR FREDERICK BRUCE,
i, H. Dr;.sgb M;,;e.or Al ,,poio n