The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-24

his head, but the young physician re-
fused to bride his tongue. He con-
tinued to visit the sick, and mixed with
his prescriptions usually a free dispen-
sation of loyal sentiment
Finally the doctor was taken sick.
He had slow fever which confined
him to his bed for several days. Al
ready the Confederate partisans had
decided the Union physician should not
live. The illness of the doctor delayed
the execution of vengeance. AS soon
as the sick man should become convd-
lescent the decree had gone forth that
DR.. Watson was to be hanged. He had
been such an obnoxious Unionst that
special ignominy was considered the
proper feature in his taking off. The
rope was a more degrading instru-
ment of violence than bullet and used
in dealing with an especially hateful
enemy.
The progress of the doctors recov-
cry was noted from day to day by
spies who found access to the sick
chamber.
The word went out that the conva-
lescing victim was getting about strong
enough to hang. 1t was dangerous 70
give the doctor more time He might
hear of the deadly plot and escape.
So the men who had agreed to re-
move the Union physician went to Dr.
fatal work. The doctor had suffered u
slight relapse and was more feeble than
his intended executioners had expected
to find him. They decided to give the
man one more night, but it would not
do now to leave him alone since the
plan of vengeance had been exposed.
A few members of the party were de-
tailed to act as guards and watch the
doctor till morning. 1t was a chilly
night and the men sat close to the fire
as it burned lower toward morning.
The sick man knew the mission of
his visitors. They had not attempted
to conceal from his ears their purpose.
Near the bed was a door that fastened
with a hook and opened on a back
hook of the door from his bed He
watched the doing guards as they sat
around the fireplace. While the chick
ems were Growing for day he carefully
lifted the hook and the door swung
open without noise. The doctor rolled
out of bed in his night clothes and
crawled through the door. He was
very weak, but the hope of escape raj
lied every latent energy in his body
and will. He crept out into the little
village. All was still There was yet
no pursuit 1t was a half mile down to
the ford of the Gasconade, where a
Union friend lived. The doctor man
aged TO reacn Tins mouse. mere ne
quickly told his story and got suit
of clothes.
At the next house up the river a
horse was procured and the doctor set
out for Springfield. Before daylight
the sleeping guards awoke and saw
that their prisoner had fled. They
hunted all about the house, never
thinking that the sick man could have
gone far. By sun-up DR.. Watson was
riding through the woods toward
Springfield, while battied enemies
searched the houses in Hartville, ex-
pecting to find him concealed in the
home of some Union friend. The sick
fugitive reached Springfield the next
night following his flight, and never
returned to Hartville until after the
war. All the old people in Wright coun-
ty tell this story to-day as one of the
most remarkable incidents of eventful
days Of the great civil conflict.