The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-01-25
John Walden and Henry Brubaker,
12oth Ohio; D. Welker, 4sth Ohio; j. c..
Buckley, 4th Vermont and F. D. Lee,

1Oth Ohio; u. Welker, 48th Ohio; j. q.
Buckley, 4th Vermont and F. D. Lee,
18th Iowa. Buckley was not in Tiler
prison. I tell you there were some hard
stories told during the evening. Bruba.
ker said that he had no clothes to wear
for nine months; having been relieved
of what he had when captured. Com.
rade Lee said he escaped three times
but was caught each time, after travel
ing from 2 to 500 miles each time. One
follow jumped from the train while run
ming full speed, and an Irishman after
him. but he got away. Such is war.
The latter one wears handsome medal
bearing the following inscription:
"The Congress to Sergeant John G.
Buckley, Co. G.. 4th Vermont, for
Gallantry at Vicksburg. May %,
1863"
He was one of the 800 carrying the
scaling ladders to the Rebel works.
I visited Andersonville prison pen few
days ago and saw many sights that still
show very plainly the many hardships
the boys in blue had to undergo while
prisoners there. The seven large forts
around the stockake, to keep the enemy
back, are still there. The old reliable
Profadens spring is the curiosity of all
visitors and it still flows big stream.
Captain aud Mrs. Wilson are very
obliging and spare no time showing and
explaining every point of interest. The
cemetery is kept il nice shape and
about l.5G0 lie buried there who died in
that horrible prison. The w. R. c. are
trying to get the grounds fixed up, but
find it up hill business on account of
shortage of funds. Andersonville sta
tion looks like tie curse of the Lord has
been pronounced over the place. The
cemetery is out main street, Just outside
the town, if it may be called at town.
Most all of the old shacks are empty;
the building where Captain Wertz had
his headquarters has crumbled away.
save few brick bats. You all know
his fate; God help his poor soul. There
was another living here during the war,
just as bad, but I forget his name. He
had q bloodhounds to catch escaped
prisoners. I asked an old negro if he
knew this man, and he said: 20. yes sa,"
What did tie boys do with him when
they wore free, I--asked?' "Wy, da went
| up to his plantation an made him kill
dem ar dogs an cat 'em raw. tell you
he got sick uf his hounds. Den de boys
rails Cane aroun her fur awhile, I tell
you."
We enjoy the winter here very much.
We have only night frosts once in awhile
and no wind to speak Of. Fitzgerald
was four years old last December, and
is located in Irwin county. A heavy
pine forest four years ago; today beau
tiful city one and fourth miles square,
with graded streets, water works, cleo
trio light and population Of about 5000.
1t is known as the Northern Soldier q
Colony, but there are many southernera
in business here. All is peace and har-
mony and there are three G. A. r. Posts
and all other fraternal societies are rep.
resented. Fourteen churches of which
two are Methodist, one south and one
north. The five acre tracks around the
city are dotted with fine buildings, fruit
trees, flowers etc. The improvements
in this short time have been many. OF
course some are dissatisfied because
things do not move faster; consequently
there is constant string of folks COM
ing and going. Two railroads enter the
town giving us six passenger trains dai
| ly, four of which carry mail. The third
road is within u miles and the fourth is
being surveyed. Health is very good
the death rate last year being 4 pc,
thousand. No sickness whatever in the
colony. The soil is not very good anc
must be heavily fertilized to produce {
crop. but here is some of the finest tim
Der in the world.
AS I said before, Mrs. Lang and my
self are enjoying our stay here YER!
much, and we hope all OF you are doing
the same at Hope. ...-.
Wishing The Pioneer and all of ou
friends at Hope happy and prosperous
New Year, we are Yours Truly,