The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-06-26

then first saw the national capital, the
young soldier felt an intelligent and
absorbing interest in the public build
ings of the city, and his feeling for the
capitol amounted almost to reverence,
SO that when it's white dome first rosa
to view before the ~glistening eyes of
the young soldier a burning desire tO
familiarize himself with it's every part
took possession of his mind, and one
of his first acts after arriving in camp
across the Potomac was to apply for
a limited furlough, or leave Of alb
sence, with the intention of thorough
~ exploring the beautiful pile on Capt.
toll hill. The soldier, whose cousin was
in command of the company, had little
difficulty in obtaining the necessary
~furlough, extending in this case over a
period of "a hours, and at one availed
himself of the privilege. AT the same
time the order against soldiers appear.
ing in public out of uniform was being
strictly enforced and very few of the
nations defenders were to be seen in
the streets of Washington save in the
blue of their adopted costumes. The
appearance, therefore, of the young
soldier from the Granite state in the
uniform of his regiment was not noted
save in a general way, as he made
his way across the old bridge at George
town into the district, and SO on to-
ward the Mecca of his desires, the CAPT.
toll.
Every approach of the national CAPT.
tai was guarded, and young Wentworth
was obliged to show his pass to the
sentries at either end of the bridge,
and also at the several patrol cross
ings on the way down Pennsylvania
avenue until he crossed Rock creek, and
reached the then boundary of the cor
pcrate city. 1t is known that
he traversed the entire length
CT the thoroughfare leading to
Capitol hill, leisurely viewing the
sights so strange to his rustic eyes.
He was last seen on the brow of Capitol
hill, gazing westward upon the pano-
rama of picturesque Washington, a city
earnished with the pomp and panoply
Of war, but empowered beautifully in
a wilderness of virgin forest foliage.
All around and about him were the
masons and other artisans, busy as
bees performing their various func-
tons in developing the ideas and plans
of the capitol building. Huge columns
Of marble were being nodded into
symmetrical forms by hammers and
chisels welded by skillful workmen.
Immense derricks were hauling Gn6
lifting into their permanent places the
great blocks which form the walls.
Viewing all these scenes with quiet
~amazement, the soldier boy finally
concluded to explore the subterranean
passages of the wonderful building,
and he descended the narrow sandstone
stairway beneath the center Of the ro-
tunda, over which the workmen were
then rearing the dome. He was never
again seen on earth, and there was
never discovered a trace Of the mans
body or clothing.
Nobody knows what became of Har-
vey b. Wentworth. It has long been
the prevailing impression among his
surviving friends and relatives that the
soldier boy lost his way in the dark
and intricate passages, became ex-
hausted, or asphyxiated, died and was
walled in by the workmen. There are
numerous arches down in the founda-
tfons, giving support to the ions above,
and in any one of these the soldier boy
may have beenimmured. One thing only
is known, andthat is that the soldier enc
tered. the crypt of the capitol ON that
July afternoon, IS years ago. and he
has never since been seen. Poor coun-
try boyl Who can ever solve the mys-
terry of his disappearance?
SMITH D. FRY.