West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-10-17

from Washington, az mine are from
him."
but he can telegraph" insisted
Mr. Davis eagerly. ""rhere must
DE some mistake. No such outrag,
as YOU threaten me with is on tn,
record IN the history of the nations.
Beg him to telegraph and delay un
til he receives AN answer"
Ny orders are peremptory, !"
said the officer, "aud admit Of nc
delay. For Your own sake let me
advise you TO submit with patience,
AS soldier. Mr DAVIS, You know
that | must execute orders"
"Thcse are not orders for SOL
dler." shouted the prisoner, losing
all control of himself "rhey are
orders for jailer, for hangman.
which no soldier wearing sword
should accept. | tell you the
world will ring with this disgrace.
The war is over, the South it con-
quered. | have no longer any
country but America, and it is for
the honor OF America, as for my
own honor IN life, that | plead
against this degradation. Kill
me. Kill mel he cried passionatelv.
throwing his arms wide open and
exposing his breast, "rathcr than
lnflict on me and my people this
insult worse than death"
do your duty, blacksmith, /"
said the officer, walking toward tho
mbrasurc, as if not caring to wit.
ness the performance. at only
gives increased pain on all sides to
| protract this interview"
At these words the blacksmith
advanced with the shackles, and
seeing that the prisoner had one
foot upon tho chair near his bed :
side and his right hand resting up.
on the back of the chair, the brawny
mechanic attempted to slip one of
the shackles over the foot so raised :
but rs If with the vehemence and
strength that frenzy alone can i'm
Dart, Mr. Davis suddenly seized the
IRON worker and hurled him half
wy tSlOno tue TOOtil.
Capt. Titlow turned and seeing
that the prisoner had backed
against the wall for further resist
ance, began to demonstrate with
him. The officer tried to convince
him that his course was madness
and that orders had to be enforced
at any cost. "WhY compel me-.
he said, "to add the further in
dignity of personal violence to the
necessity of your being ironed?"
Il am prisoner of war;" fierce
ly retortcd Mr.. DAVIS. al have
been n soldier in the armies of
America, and know how to die.
Only kill me and my last breath
shall be blessing on your head.
but while | have life aud strength
to resist for myself and my people
this thing shall not be done.'
Capt. Tltiow now fully recog-
nIzed that the character Of the man
with whom he had to deal was such
as could not be turned from what
he regarded MS cardinal principles
by a few soft words, as the wind
moves the leaves on the trees, and
determined TO end the interview
aud put the orders which had been
given HIM into effect as soon as
possible, he called in sergeant
and die Of soldiers from the next
room. The sergeant advanced to
seize the prisoner. Immediately
Mr.. Davis flew at him, seized his
musket and attempted to wrench il
from his grasp. OF course, such q
scene could hive had but one issue
There WIS short determined
Struggle: La moment Mr.. Davis
was thrown on hls bed, and before
the soldiers removed their hands
from him the blacksmith lad done
his work.
This done, Mr.. Davis lay for a
moment rs If in a stupor. Then
slowly raising himself and turning
around, ne dropped his shackled
feet TO the floor The clank OF the
chains seemed TO recall him TO his
situation, and, hiding his face IN
his hands, no sobbed passionately
and cried: "Oh! the shame! the
shamet'
With bis feet bound by the heavy
and rudely constructed shackles.
Mr.. Davis lay on bis couch for sew.
eral days. The tray bearing food
siinillr to that which was furnished
10 the hearty soldiers Of the fort.
a tin plate and saucer we're placed
beside bin at regular intervals each
day and taken away untouched.
DR.. Craven saw that il Mr. Davis
remained in shackles his death
would soon follow. His constilu-
ton was broken down, his nerves
shattered, aud bis mind hardened.
AccOrdingly,at the earnest soliclta
ton Of the doctor, the shackIes
were removed on the 18th of May.
DR.. Craven also recommended that
bis patient be allowed Che use OF
tobacco, and this privilege was
I granted.
For some time after bis incar.
ceraiion q Bible and O. PRAYER book