Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-06-26
The Old Capitol.

William j. Rasin, who made his escape
from the Old Capitol during the early part
Of the year 1869, was a very remarkable
young man, and D description of his APP
pearance and character and the method of
his escape cannot fail to be read with inter-
est. My first impression of him was re-
ceived from witnessing an interview be-
tween him and captain of the guard of the
Dist Pennsylvania regiment. The captain
of the guard came to our room with the evil
dent purpose Of placing Major Rasin in the
old iron document vault Of the Old Capitol
under arrest. But by Il remarkable exercise
of self.contro on the part of Rasn who
met the officer with becoming grace and
bravery, the latter was induced TO change
his mind and actually requested Rasn, as a
favor, not 10 act in any manner to compro
mise himself with the officers of the guard
In their good impression of him. He was
fellow of such splendid characteristics in
appearance and disposition that he was Il
general iavorite with the men and lady
prisoners, and even with the contraband
negroes about the building. He was six feet
in height, straight as an Indian, weighed
about one hundred and sixty pounds, bright
red skin, short light hair, blue eyes and about
20 years of age, with good teeth and very
hearty laugh, and a character utterly indil-
ferent to danger in any shape, either a. cold
steel, hot lead or control of the enemy.
Rasin was a man who could inspire every
body around him, because he was both in
telligent and daring.
As rlay well be realized by any one the
hope of escape is the constant thought of u
prisoner, and though it is the most jealous
secret there is an influence that will some
times canse prisoners to trust each other
with this Utmost confidence Hence COM
bination arises between two or more with
this object in view, but 1t is always based
upon secret knowledge possessed by one of
the prisoners In this case Major Rasin,
Harry Stewart and myself were bound to-
gether by the tie of mutual confidence and
common purpose One of us possessed
the knowledge that within certain mat
tress in one Of the hunks there was u rope
which Mansfield Walworth, who had been
reduced TO solitary confinement, had woven
from an old MANILA door.mat found in the
prison. For several weeks together, alter
repeated disappointments, we waited for a
propitious opportunity 10 put our plan of
escape into execution. At last q dark and
stormy night arrived. But when the time
came the outlook was fearful and desolate
in the extreme. For besides the dreadful
ordeal of passing the sentry who, when most
remote, was only about seventy-fve feet off,
there was the friendess position TO contem.
plate Of being In Washington without the
sure knowledge TO enable US to pass the
military line and surrounded by detectives
and soldiers. And many night | have
laid in my bunk and with burning brain
endeavored 10 arrange some plan by which
10 escape from the city without the risk of
bringing my father or other friends In col
lision with the vengeance OF the military
authority, Still no consideration could sub
due the burning deGiTe for liberty and re-
gardless Of every thing else We hastily but
cautiously began the execution oil our plans.
A communication with friends outside had
been answered by means OF cigar with .
note wrapped up 10 il lying among Others
In box Of cigars that came 10 our room
through the regular guard, the cigar con
tanning the letter indicating the fact by the
teeth striking common toilet pin when the
snd was bitten from the cigar for the pur-
poss of smoking 1t. The letter would have
proved quite interesting 10 the guard had
hey thought proper 10 appropriate the
gars. IL escaped, however, and afforded