The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-10-27
cLuTcHED BY JEFF DAVIS.
Exchange ]

Elisha kisner, modest, unpretending gentleman, well known in this community, and at present employed by the Watson town, Pa, blaming mill company, was "A member of the third Pennsylvania heavy artillery, which was stationed at Fortress Monroe when Jefferson Davis was taken there soon after his capture. Mir. kisner was detailed, among others. to stand guard over the rebel chief In an inter
 view with Mir. Kisner, the other evening he gave an interesting account of what occurred during this period of nearly a year. "Did ever tell you how old eH took me by the throat?" he asked, while he shook all over with laughter. "Weil, it was something in this way. There were two sentries ln Ieff's room, and this night happened to be on duty. Davis was lying on his bed, apparently trying to get nap, and our orders were to pace his room constantly, but under no consid- eration to speak or enter into any con versation with him. Once as l passed him he turned to me and growled out T wish you'd make less noise. replied T wish you'd keep quiet Then he turned over with his face to the wall. and kept walking on. back and forward, past his bed. In minute or two he growled again: Cant you keep quiet 7 To thls replied, Can, you hold your jaw? Then he got up and commenced to walk the floor. mad as a eaged lion l passed him and turned 10 go back, when met him about the middle of the room. lust as was about to repass him ha th taft kan nI caught me by the throat. struggled to get loose, but he held me as though had been held in vice. l could not use my gun, as he held he close to him. struggled for breath. but he shut of my wind. The scuifle drew the attention of the other guard in moment and also the officer outside. when he rattled his sword against the iron-grated door, and then old eff let loose of me and went back to his bed. tell you l was weak in the knees when he did let go. and though he only h-ld me moment or so 1t seemed like an hour. Before this occurred an old reb outside. who had the privilege of bringing Jeff his meals. used to bring in lots of ired and s,ewed oys. ,ers and many other things we soldiers COulun get. ne uedrIY always brought more than old Jeff could eat. and leif used to give us lots of good things but after thls fuss he'd always throw everything that was left out of the win dow and wouldn't even give us smell to save our lives. He was a spunky old euss, tell you. He wanted air. and then he would be taken out on to the ramparts by two captains, two lieutenants. two cor porals and two privates, and walked around tor fifteen minutes or half an hour. These officers and men had to surround him to keep the guards from shooting him every time he went out. The way he was fixed they couldn', kill him without killing one of the other men, and perhaps more. After Jeff collared me, one of the guards drew his picture on the wall. representing him dangling to the end of rope. with an inscription no, very complimentary to lett under heath i:. IL made the old fellow furious when he saw Il, and of course i, was blamed to me. He called the attention of the officer of the guard to Il. bu, didn :, get much sympathy from him.