Louisiana capitolian., 1880-09-04

was confined, while in the outer one
was stationed a sentinel Never was a
prisoner more securely confined.
THE MAN OF MYSTERY.
Once each day visited the peniten-
tiary and did what could to give the
captive comfort. found him q genial
gentleman despite the fact that bis spir-
it was visibly depressed. had learned
to call him professor" from having
heard him 80 addressed by the officer
who had delivered him over to me.
Other than this knew nothing of his
name or history, and was utterly igno.
rant of the reason for his close contine.
ment. Nor could I deem it my privilege
to question relative to personal matters.
One morning, however, he insisted that
should listen to his story. He said:
Captain Schcomaker, you have treat
en- me with marked kindness and have
allowed NIT many tavOrs had no right
to expect | assure you this generosity
is esteemed most highly, and trust the
day will some time come when, as free
manaI shall be able to prove my thank
fulness, You have never asked me my
name," he continued; "now, Captain, !
fear this reserve on your part is due to
an over care for my feelings. | wants to
tell you something of myself. Stay with
me little while.' Lam sure can inter-
est you and the recital of my experience
to some one who takes an interest in me
will do me vast deal off good. My name
is McCulloch-Robert S. McCulloch. At
the outbreak of the war | was Professor
of Chemistry in Union College, but my
sympathies were with the Southern peo-
pie, and l resigned to accept q position
upon the staff of President jeff. Davis.
However, it is not for that | am under
arrest. After coming South perfected
an explosive compound upon which |
had labored and experimental for years.
This explosive was especially adapted to
torpedoes and the Confederates, quick to
discover it's value, made such use of it
by my permission as resulted in the loss
to the North of millions of property and
lives innumerable. Robert E. Lee said
to me only few weeks ago: Professor
McCulloch, you have done more for our
cause on the sea than any other living
mani.
Secretary Stanton discovered that the
Southern torpedo was my invention, and
many have been his efforts to capture
me, in all of which he failed till Rich
mond fell. Stanton knew me intimately
VIII le | was connected with the
Philadelphia Mint. When Lee surren.
dered l escaped to Florida, and was we'll
nigh to Cuba in skitf when gunboat
ran me down. l was recognized and
carried to Washington. 1t was an OK
citing interview l had with Stanton
when first we met. He demanded that
l should make known to him the secret
of the manufacture of my torpedo explo-
sive. He offered me instant release and
large sum of money as an inducement.
| refused, and he grew exceedingly
wroth, threatening to starve me into
submission. But, Captain Schoonmaler,
| shall never tell him. I will die first"
The prisoners face grew very pale as
he spoke these last words, and, rising
from the side of his cot, where he had
been sitting, he hastily paced up and
down the cell, his hands tightly clasped
behind him and his always expressive
eyes fairly flashing fire. His agitation
was past description and l thought it
best to leave him to himself.
l had hardly arrived at my quarters
When the card Of well-known Wash
ington detective was brought me. Civ
ing the man an audience, he abruptly
remarked
Professor Bob McCulloch is here with
you want to see him.
The insOlenCe of the fellow astOrnded
me, and | responded in manner much
more expressive than polite. But he
was not to be easily checked, and he
continued
"Pshaw, now Captain, it's no use
tryiu' to fool me. I've worked this thing
down fine. aud there's a cool thousand
in it for you if / can have ten minutes
talk with your prisoner Cash it is, too,
Captain. and
Another word, sir, and I'll lock you
up. There's the door-leave."
He left.
This same day the noted General Duff
Green appeared at the State Peuitentiary
aud demanded OF Lieutenant Hoysradt
Gin CHARGE an opportunity to converse
with Professor McCulloch, "whom," he
added, Il know you've got locked up
here" Hoysradt declined to comply
with General Green's request, whereup-
on that worthy whipped out an order
from General Turner, the district COM
mander, directing the admission of the |