davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

eral feet inside the fence ran the dead line
and woe be unto the man who crossed it.
| saw one poor fellow pay the penalty one
day for his folly, and after that we gave it
a wide berth.
II could talk on for hours of the scenes
and incidents within this prison; of the
cracker house brigade, which was a COM
pany of fellows who built houses out of
cracker boxes they purchased from the
sutler and lived at least in a semi-civilzed
manner And l might well stop long
enough to relate how band of desperate
fellows dug a tunnel from their tents I'M
der the fence to the bay, and how when
the first man attempted to escape he was
instantly shot by a squad of soldiers, who
had been told of the plan by spy. 1t was
well that the boys made the mistake of
cutting the tunnel crooked else all would
have been killed, as the soldiers, as soon
as the first man was disposed of, COM
menced shooting into the opening. Then
might speak of the numerous wells. with
vile drinking water, saturated with cop
peras, which made ALI the men ILL., But
they are all incidents sof prison life and
have been told over and over again. You
want to hear of my escape, so III not tire
you further, but go right at it.
Stewards Escape.
1.-THE big stockade had a gate on the bay
side, and this gate wasyepened early in the
morning and closed at 6 o'clock in the
afternoon. The prisoners were permitted
allowed to fish. AS the days wore on and
the fall approached, I noticed that it got
to be quite dusk along about o'clock, and
made up my mind, unless the time was
changed, that my best chance of escape
would be while the men We're passing in
side the gates. I kept putting off the date
of my final departure until December and
then. with Christmas ahead, l resolved to
go the first propitious night 1t came on
the Sd of December, and it was the most
beautiful night l ever saw. 1t was cold
and dark and misty. | was late in re-
spending to the bugle which called us all
inside the gate and when no one was look
ing slipped behind big fence post 1 had
hardly secreted myself when the gates
closed with a bang. Overhead the sentry
marched with a carbine over his shoulder,
loaded with a messenger of death, maybe
to speed me. Down the shore came a
squad of soldiers under the command of a
sergeant. 1t was the searching guard, and
they passed along the beach diagonalIv
from me. The prison fare had favored me
in my effort to make myself thin and es-
cape detection. So drew myself in against
the post and waited They went by and I
breathed easier. What was to be nv next
step? Ny thoughts along this line were
suddenly disturbed by the return of the
guard. This time they were marching
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

remarkable variety Of scenes adapted to
every form OF vaudeville act They will
contribute very much to the beauty 81 the
interior and to the satisfaction expected TO
be derived from the admirable PERFORM
ances contemplated. Added to this viii be
a new drop curtain that viii rank as a
work Of art
From now on the hum Of the carpenters
hammer, the lacking Of carpets the hang
ing OF draperies and the hustle and con-
fusion Of numerous workmen striving to
VIII echo within the Grand. Messrs Burke
anu chase are Keeping faith" now as they
ald iast season with the theater-goars 81
washington. Their faith produces works
az an VIII TESTIFY who enter the portals ~
the theater after its opening, September n
next. -
CHEVY CHASE LAKE-Chev- Cbasa
Lake deserves every iota Of the great l,,nu-
larity which Il now enjoys. for n is mo
place where young and old. men. women
ana children, may go to spend the evening
and be sure of having a thoroughly good
time. The myriads OF beautiful lights about
the lake and the novel set pieces lend A
lalfy-llke appearance TO the pretty spot.
ANA the water. too. seems ahaZe with
lights, with the electric fountain in the CEN
ter, the Illuminated boats gliding TO and
iro, ana the reflection of the thousands OF
lights on land. Then there is Prof Ponder
on the wire, dancing I'm the big pavilion to
the excellent music OF Prof. Donch's band.
bowling and shooting galleries and tho
merry o-round for the little folks II Is
always cool about the lake. and the ride on
the electric cars I'm the fresh country air Is
a welcome relief from the hot evenings In
the city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

and few days ago he came to Washington
with his mind fully made up to follow step
by step the route he took when. after
GLIDING the sentrieS he slipped outside the
barriCade of the prison and, in a shower of
bullets, plunged into the freezing waters of
Chesapeake bay and swan for life and
liberty.
With Two Desires.
And so, without a care as to expense, he
set forth. filed with two desires-to be an
escaped prisoner again, and, travelling
through that wild country, search for those
people who had aided him; or, failing in
that. to reimburse in some practical way
their children. Cast your bread upon the
waters was his text, and, with the argu-
ments that prosperous business career
had brought him, he started. There could
be nothing but success attending such an
expedition. although on the way he often
shook his head and deplOred the fact that
he had neglected his duty so long Fervent-
ly he prayed that God had spared some one
who had helped him. but thirty-six years
works many changes, and he only hoped.
Simon Seward is man flfty-five years of
age, and stands several inches over the six
foot mark. He is as straight as an Indian,
with a square chin and firm mouth that
denote logged determination high check
bones and-well. to use his own description
Of himself, 81 am never so happy as when
people saw / look like Abraham Lincoln
even though the dear old man was ugly"
And that about fits him: for he Is every
inch q counterpart of the great emanci-
pator. even to that sympathetic nature
which wins as friends all brought in con-
tact with him He wears no beard and
possesses the virtue of bashfulnesS 1t was
only after the most continuous and urgent
questioning that he consented to relate the
experiences Of his escape. although later in
the excitement Of a meeting with the very
boy who had piloted him through the dense
woods he flushed, and, with the enthusiasm
of q bow of fifteen. related the wild i0pi-
dents Of that memorable December night
nearly half a century ago.
Recognized at Once.
1t was my pleasure to accompany Mr..
Seward and his brother, the latter a we'll
known merchant of this city on the trip
to PoiEt Lookout. We selected the steam
er Potomac to furnish the motive power
and o'clock last Tuesday we started. The
trip developed interest from the start Our
party had gone on the hurricane deck to
Get a better view of the scenery, when We
encountered Capt. William c. Geoghegan
pronounced Gagin). The eyes of the cap
tain and Mr.. Seward met fer an instant
then both started forward, and. calling each
other by name, claspcd hands and shook
heartily.
Well if you amt Simon Seward I want
TO be keel-hauedT' exclaimed the captain
Yes. and you are Captain Bill Geoghe-
gan. or cont know my own name"
1t had been forty years since the two
had met. Captain GeogheGan was a pilot
on a James river steamboat and Simon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29
Story of an Escaped Con-
federate Who ReVisits
Scenes of Wartime.
From a StIn CORRESPONDENT.


POINT LOOKOUT, Md. July 2i 1890
on the night Of December 3, 1863, Simon
Seward. a confederate prisoner of war con-
fined in the United States military prison
at Point Lookout. made his escape. 1t was
q desperate piece of daring. requiring for
its successful performance a man of iron
nerve, strong determination and signal
bravery. That occurred nearly thirty-siX
years ago, and few of the actors of that
memorable incident in Mr.. Stewards life re-
main to tell the story. There are some,
however, who remember the night of the
escape. and few days ago they turned
back the leaves Of time and lived over
again the memories of the night, when
peaceful st. Marys county swarming
with bluecoats hunting a youth who had
out vitted them and escaped.
Today Mr.. Simon Seward is wealthy
Virgnian. dOmiCiIed at Petersburg, where
he is respected as q prosperous manufac-
turer and loved by large coterie of
friends For years it had been Mr.. Seward $
ambition to visit the scenes of his escape,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

yOHutT, ne SAID, pointing 10 an old renee
running up the side of a hill. We'll right
there l hid fIom a body of Yankees VINO
were after ne. We must be near the big
mill"
The Road Had Been Moved
And he was correct. for on the brow of
the hill We could see nesting in a pic
turesque valley at the base the old mill.
1t was Valley Lee named after the great
southern general. and it was here Mr.. Sew
arc. received succor from woman named
Long. He was greatly puzzled at not being
able to locate the house, which he main
tanned was a small affair, situated on the
roadside. The village blacksmith supplied
the information. He had lived there all his
life and had known every one in that sec
ton for miles around. Unc0ns3iousIy- put
ting his arm around the neck OF the old
gray-haired darkey, the Two adjourned to
the road, where Mr. Seward explained the
house infinitely The smith remembered
the house very we'll He pointed it out, but
1t was not on the road.
When mis- attention was called to this he
settled the problem by declaring the road
had been changed. And sure enough it
| had, for when We got close to the house the
traces of the old road We're distinctly Wis
ible. So far our trip had been successful
but no matter how closely the people were
questioned no trace of those who had helped
Mr.. Seward could be found Some had
known them. but whether they were dead
or alive they could not tell
1t was shortly after leaving the great
mill that scene was enacted which for
dramatic effect and intensity of feeling
could hardly be reproduced. Capt Adams
had said early in the trip that he knew of
man named John Hewitt. whose father
lived in that section some years ago Could
II be that he was the one who as a lad of
sixteen, had conducted the escaping pris-
Cner through the woods to the river? 1t
v as too good for Mr.. Seward to even hope
FOR. But he was determined to leave no
stone unturned. and though 1t was several
miles out of our way, the driver was d.
rected 10 find John Hewitt. He was not at
nome, his two sons informed us, but could
! be found abe ut four miles away building
house Hurrying on came 10 the place
ard found the man. A halloo brought him
TO the side of the wagon.
Mr.. Seward was very much excited as he
directed the rest of us not to say anything
of the object of the visit.
A Dramatic Scene
John Hewitt came up to the wagon smiI-
ing pleasantly, and wishing every one good
morning. His short, rotund form was Door
ly clad. showing he had not much of this
worlds goods. But what a face Wrinkled
though 1t was from the hard buffeting he
had endured from an unsympathetic world
| 1t at once bespoke kindness and sterling in
| tegrity. 1t one of those faces that lin
| ger along with sweet memories, one that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

MY hopes of escape were considerably
blasted one morning when I arose to find
preparations being made to hem in with
a big fence. 1t seemed the biggest fence 1
ever saw when completed, and the only
gate for the prisoners was the one which
looked out upon the Chesapeake bay.
Around the top of the fence, about four
feet from the rail, there was a platform
built, along which the sentries walked to
and fro. We called it the parapet. Sew
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

Seward. the eldest son of Joseph Seward,
a Petersburg merchant And how they
talked Of old times on the "Jeemes'' and the
Gays before the war. From the captain
considerable information was gained as to
the war history of the Potomac. and many
piled.
The boat did not make landing at Point
Lockout, but that made no difference
since it was Mr.. Stewards plan to travel
backward along the route Of his escape and
then return in an opposite direction. We
arrived at Piney Point early Wednesday
morning and found a man who contracted
TO supply a pair OF horses and wagon.
not To mention fund of information con-
corning the country and reCollections of
places and people. II was fortunate con-
tract We entered into with this man, Cap
tain Adams by name, and throughout the
trip We found him a most agreeable COM
panion. We left our traps at the hotel and
took a saiiboat to Herring creek the point
where Mr. Seward crossed the river the
night OF his escape.
Where Seward Crossed the River
The wonderful memory of Mr.. Seward
nize the mouth of the creek and it was no
wonder, as the mouth had been shifted
about half a mile by the oystermen, who
used the creek considerably and wanted a
better outlet. A fortunate incident occur
red here. The SailbOat was beached a short
distance from the creek, and there upon
the bank We found an old 'dug-out'' canoe
1t had long since been abandoned but the
owner. who came down at our approach
said in reply to question could have
II for 50 cents. l wondered why Mr.. Sew
ard had offered to purchase the relic. for
you could see the light of day through a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29
New Workers and Suicide.
From the New York Press.

FrOm Tue New 1UrK PfesS.
According to the annual police report
there were in 1898 672 cases of suicide In
New York. These were divided up in this
way: By burning, 1; by drowning, d. by
suffocation by means of gas, 1877; by hang
ing, 70; by jumping from balconies, 1; by
jumping from buildings, 2; by jumping from
roof, 1; by jumping from windows, 8; by
knife, "a; by poison. go; by razor, /, and by
shooting, Ia.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29

right down the fence line, and felt sure I
would be discovered. But fortune favored
me-
Just few yards away heard one Of
the men remark, Look there, at that grave
I'll bet there Is a Johnny in there So they
bayonets into the little mound. But there
was no soldier there, and they continued
their march in disgust Then all was quiet
again save the tramp of the sentry. 1 crept
from one post to another until I arrived
at the end of the fence. On the other side
was the 9th New Hampshire Regiment, do
ing guard duty, and beyond them the woods
and freedom. AS peered around the fence
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-29
Return to Richmond.

well, to make long story short, I
crossed the Rappahannock river on a cat
tie barge and finally reached Richmond.
reported to Gen. Winder and asked for a
furlough in order to go home. He listened
to my story of adventure and did not be-
lieve it. He gave orders to have me sent
back to my regiment. and L was downcast
AS l sat in the hall waiting for the order
ly to escort me to the guard, a familiar
face passed. l saluted him, for he was an
officer. He approached and recognized me
as the man he had seen at the Old Capitol
prison l told him my story and he
promptly corroborated it to Gen. Winder,
who granted me the furlough, and the
next day 1 was home again. ]. E. ].
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26

During the year two bulletins have bsen
prepared and printed. the one on THE Ar
tesian Well System" and the other on
''The Clay Deposits Of Georgia"
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
BOARD MUST SHOW RECORDS.
Cause Must lie SSovn for the Dis
charge of Douthit.

Columbia, S. c.. Oct. 25.-Judge Aldrich.
in the Circuit Court to-day. ruled that
the state board of liquor control must
exhibit to that court the records on which
the commissioner. J. b. Douthit, was dis
charged without a hearing.
The commissioner can be discharged for
cause only, and Douthit demands a trial
by The board. His leading attorney. Col.
George tombstone, was very caustic in his
arraignment Of the board.
Mr. d. A. G. OUTS, the discharged clerk
has accused the ex-chairman OF the
board, j. D. Hazelden, with being ipfiu-
enced by wholesale whisky houses, and
with receiving at his home quantities of
liquor.
Capt. John Black. shipping clerk, has
accused QUITS of being a SPY, thief
ard a scoundrel.
The amount Of liquor business last year
exceeded $l,250,000.
The police provisions of the dlspensary
law are grated upon the constitution, no
sales by the drink no drinking of the
premises no sales at night, etc, but the
method of purchasing is simply according
to a statute.
The Legislature will, in January, have
an investigation and may do away with
state dispensary, letting each county buy
It's own liquor.
There, Is extreme bitterness between the
factions of The board and their friends,
the development of several years friction.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
THE MORNING NEWS: THURSDAY OCTOBER &c. 1895

that had done my duty were 1 TO fan TO
make special mention OF Lieut.. EcWaru
Leonard. of the FIRST Infantry, whose val
ue BILE services in arresting John Delvsal
and others of the most desperate OF the
rioters. is so highly commended by Col.
Lawton in his clear. lucid and admirable
report, hereto attached as an appendix, TO
which l invite the spe i'll attention oil the
members of the general assembly, in order
that they may realize the rious ana dan
gerous character of this uprising OF ne
groes and the invaluable services OF Inc
military as an aid 10 the civil authorizes
in protecting life ard property ana reslor-
ing order in such emergencies.
Amendments of Military Laws.
My experience and observation at time
when so much depends on the efficiency OF
our soldiery have suggested necessity for
several amendments of our military laws,
which were framed, as 1 am informed, by
an officer of the United States army ana
modelled after the United States laws gov
erning the organiza ton and control OF the
regular army. While life tenure of office
is best in the regular army. it is repugnant
to the spirit of a volunteer organization.
Some of the military organizations of the
state have been found by the inspector
general to be inefficient and incapable of
being brought up to a standard of etil-
cheney because they are commanded by
officers who were elected by men, not one
Of whom is now a member of the organi-
cation. Thus there is want of sympathy
between the officers and the men, interest
is lost in the company, and it becomes
practically useless.
therefore recommend that the law be
so changed as to limit the tenure of office
in all companies and regiments to three
or five years at the expiration of which
time the office shall become vacant and be
filled In the manner now prescribed by
law.
Another matter to which desire to call
your special attention IS the great discrim-
inaton between officers and men in the
matter of pay when in actual service. It
is now provided that the pay of each shall
be that prescribed by law for officers and
soldiers of the regular army of the United
States. Under this law a colonel of i'm
g.. 49, la..
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
LEGAL NOTICES.

GEORGIA. CHATHAM COUNTING
tice is hereby given that | have made
application to the Court Of Ordinary for
Chatham county for leave to sell ten and
four-hfths 90 40 acres OF land in the
county of Chatham fronting on the Thun-
derDolt road. at or near the toll gate and
belonging to estate OF Dennis Resrdon.
deceased, for the payment Of debts and
distribution. and that said order will be
granted at November term, 1899. of said
court, unless objections are filed thereto.
JORDAN r. BROOKS,
Administrator Estate of Dennis Reardon.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
CHATHAM

GEORGIA, CHATHAM COUNTY
Whereas. Arthur b. Elliott has applied 10
Court Of Ordinary for letters of adminis-
tration, 4. b. H., on the estate of Maria
Z. White. deceased.
These are, therefore, to cite and admon-
ish all whom IL may concern to be and
appear before said court to make oblec-
ton df any they have on or before the
first Monday In November next, otherwise
said letters viii be granted.
Witness, the Honorable Hampton L.
Ferrill Ordinary for Chatham County,
this the 18th day of October. 1899.
FRANK f. KEILBACH.
Clerk C. O., c. C.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
Savannah. Ga. Oct. 3, 1899.
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CRED
ITORE

GEORGIA, CHATHAM COUNTY
Notice is hereby given to ali persons hav-
ing demands against Adeine Entelman,
late Of said county, deceased. 10 present
them to me, pro- erly made out, within the
time prescribed by law, so as to show Their
character and amount; and all persons in
debted to said deceased are required 10
make payment 10 me.
J. FRED ENTELMAN,
Executor win Of Adelne Entelman.
Savannah, Ga, Sept. 10, 1899
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDIT
OBS.

GEORGIA, CHATHAM COUNTY
Notice Is hereby given 10 all persons hav-
ing demands against Mary 5. Lamar. late
~ said county, deceased 10 present them
~ me properly made out, within the time
prescribed by law, so as 20 show their
character and amount; and all persons in
debted to said deceased are required to
make immediate payment to me.
r. NJ CUNNINGHAM,
Administrator.
Savannah. Ga. Oct. 3. 1890
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
LEGAL NOTICES.

GEORGIA, CHATHAM COUNTY
Notice Is hereby given that I have made
application to the Court of Ordinary for
Chatham county, for leave TO sell the
stocks and bonds belonging to the estate
of Mary S. Lamar, deceased. for payment
of debts and distribution, and that said
order viii be granted al November term.
1899, Of said court, unless objections are
fled thereto.
T. NJ. CUNNINGHAM.
Administrator Mary s. Lamar.
Oct TO- 1899
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-26
NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CRED
ITORS

GEORGIA, CHATHAM COUNTY
Notice is hereby given to all persons hav-
ing demands against Andrew j. Clayton.
late of said county. deceased to present
them to me, property made out. within the
time prescribed by law, so as to show their
character and amount; and all persons in
debted to said deceased are required to
make immediate payment to me-
ISAAC BECKETT,
Administrator.
Savannah Ga, Oct. 2. 1899.
Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-13

BILE people. This is true, but while
my parents were poor and compar-
atively humble people, they we're
always honest, and that esteem a
heritage more valuable than wealth
and position. My parents were as
honest, and as honorable as any
Hardin or any Duke or any Helm
that ever drew the breath of life.
have not had a powerful family con-
nection nor wealth to aid me. / am
not theichance bearer of a great
name made famous by somebody
else. Isprang from the ranks of the
common people, and there is nothing
under heavens sun of which | am
prouder. No scandal ever came
into the life of my father. And my
mother, God bless her, was help
less invalid for many years before
her death. Ihave revered her men,
DRY for twenty years by keeping up
her membership and few in the
church to which she belonged in
life, and shall do so as long as l live
In one of these publications it is
stated thatmy parents were natives
of Goettingen,in Germany. That is
true. The city of Goettingen is the
seat of one OF the greatest universe.
ties in the world. 1t graduated
Alexander Won Humboldt-one of the
greatest intellects and characters
that ever lived Otto Won Bismarck
and Prof. Gildersleeve, of the Uni
versity of Virginia. 1t was Alex
ander Won Humboldt who said thatit
was a misfortune that he had been
born in the palace of a noble instead
of the cottage of a peasant.
And in these publications of which
/ speak my two brothers are men
toned. No charge is made against
them except that they are loyal