The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-25
MET AFTER YEARS
TWO OLD SOLDIERS MEET a JOHNNY
WHO BEFRIBNDED THEM.

During the War Two of sedgwick County's
Soldiers Were Confined at Anderson
Vile and Make Their Escape But are
Captured by a Johnny Who Proves to be
a Godsend or a Friend is DIsguise-The
Men Met Yesterday and Tell Over the
Story of War and the johnny Makes
Himself Known-A Happy Reunion.
Two old soldiers were sitting at the
Rock Island depot yesterday talking
over old times, and in fact, fighting the
war over again. One Fred Burshy OF
Greeley township and the other John
Walker Of Illinois township.
Strange TO say the men though they
had often met before had only learned
during their conversation yesterday
THAT during the late unpleasantness
that they were both prisoners at the
horrible slaughter pen, which viii ever
remain as a stencil upon the pages OF
history, known as AnderSonville.
The men began telling of their hor-
rible experience and the treatment re-
ceived at the hands Of the tnhuman
flendS who had charge of the men, ana
finally began to tell about the big tun-
mel they had dug with case knives, and
had carried the dirt out in their haVer-
sacks. And how one night sixty or
the men made their escape through the
tunnel.
By this time the old soldiers had gath
cred about them a large crowd and
among the number was man named
Stephens of Springfield, No, who seem
ed to take more than usual interest IN
the story the men were telling, and fire.
quently asked them as 10 certain events
connected with the memorial day.
The men went ON to tell about their
terrible experience in making their es
cape from blood hounds and the kind
ness shown them by the negroes wher-
ever they were found. Finally they ap-
peared to grow weary of telling of the
sad portion Of their experience and be
gan 20 tell some of the bright views.
DO you remember that old Johnny
who came on TO US in the negro cabin
when we were in Tennessee" said MIR.
Walker 10 his comrade.
81 should think did said Mr.. Bur
shy. Il never was so sick in my life
as l was when looked up from SOppinS
my corn dOdger in the gravy the old
woman had cooked for US and saw
that big old Johnny standing before US
with his gun brought so that 1 could
hook straigt down the barrel. / gave
UP all hopes. I have heard persons ac-
oused of lying when telling about some
thing when they were scared, but
could take an oath that the bore Of
that gun looked to be at least two
inches in diameter"
at seemed pretty hard to think about
being taken back TO Andersonville pris-
on again" said Mr.. Walker, and when
that Johnny told US that he was
Union man at heart, but had to keep
UP appearances, as everything he had
in the world was in the country, and
took us out and told US how to make
our escape. l thought that 1 never
saw such grand man in my life and l
felt IKE kissing him out of joy"
Did you give the man VINO came to
your relief anything to keep as a keep
sake?" asked Mr.. Stephens. address
ing his question to the old soldier.
Il did," said Burshy, Il gave him an
old watch charm which the rebs let me
keep when they put me in prison. It
was shell with a spring in it which If
you touched would fly open"
81 gave the man an old knife with
kwelve blades in it," said Walker. "I
would give a good deal to meet that
man now, and 1 think il 1 ever should
would know him His image is i'm
printed upon my mind"
Are you both sure you would know
him?'' said Mr.. Stephens.
''Wduhoua doubt" they both de-
cIared
Then, gentlemen" said MIR. Stephens
81 have the pleasure of showing you |
5he Johnny of whom you have been |
speaking"
Where is hep" said both old veterans |
jumping TO their feet
Standing before you said the stran |
ger from Missouri
'YOu?" they exclaimed in concert.
THE same" said the stranger. And |
in proof of my assertion l can show you /
;he watch charm and if you viii go 4
iiome with me l VIII show you that old /
knife
The men began to compare notes and /
fcon the three men were shaking and t
5shaking and concluded to go to one /
If the state administration houses and /
I ct something useful for snake bites. /
! they had been in Tennessee
In the evening Mr.. Stephens agreed /
II go home with Mr.. Walker and to- /
ay they Will spend the day with Mr.. /
EurShy, near Maize
1t is doubtful whether a reunion Of F.
long lost father and son could have ben
: ore hearty than the one between the
three men.