The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-18
lRN0LD'S STORY Of
THE LINCOLN PLOT
The Only Survivor Of the
ConspIrators imprisoned
at Dry Tortugas Gives
HIS Confession to
the Public.
SILENCE OF YEARS BROKEN
THRILLING CHRONICLE OF THE
FAMOUS CONSPIRACY.

Yellow Fever Strikes Dry TOrGugas-
Stationed There-Best Officers Carried
OR-pr. Mudd Renders Excellent As
ststance-FinaIly Stricken Himself
Left Unattended by the Post Surgeon
Alleged Effort TO Get ConspirOtors to
ImpIicate Andrew johnson ia the
CrIme-GrenfslI, "a .SenteneI and Three
Prisoners Escape.
In the brief space of month after
the killing of Winters our small island
and Enclosure was visited by yellow
fever. It made fearful ravages among
the limited number stationed there,
sweeping nearly every officer at the
post away. 1t struck from earth our
best officers and permitted the heart
less ones to recover, to repeat again,
suppose, more of their cruelties upon
humanity under their command. The
ways of Providence are mysterious and
no doubt it was done for some good
and wise purpose.
Among the first to succumb to the
dread disease was BreVet Major j. Sim
Smith, surgeon in charge DR.. Smith,
on his arrival at the post, which was
but a few months before, corrected in
various instances the abuse and reign
ing terrors which abounded there. He
was, indeed, man of humanity and
kindness, a gentleman by birth and
culture-the soldiers and prisoners
friend and protector, and his memory
lives in the mind and the heart OF all
by whom he was then surrounded as
all that was good, pure, upright and
noble. He worked with untiring zeal
whilst the fever ragged, until the fatal
malady struck him down upon the bed
of sickness, where he fingered but
three days and died. He received eV-
cry attention from DIR. Mudd, who, at
that PERIOD had charge.
Mrs. Smith was lying in an adjacent
room, sick with the fever. DR.. Mudd
paid her every attention and worked
unfalteringIy to save her life His eff
forts were crowned with success and
she recovered from the disease. During
the period of the sickness of Mr.. Smith
and family there was neither an officer
nor an officers wife that came near
them to administer to their wants,
their cases devolving upon the care of
DR.. Mudd, and faithfully did he per-
form all that lay within his power.
In a short time the fever proved
epidemic, and men could be seen fall
ing down in every section of the fort,
as the dread malady seized them.
When in former times officers were
parading about devising plans where
with to torture the soldiers and prison.
ers nothing was seen or heard of them
thew keeping themselves closely clos
eted, pail like unto death seemingly
Y hanging over the officers quarters.
Fear was depicted upon the counten-
ance of everyone on the island, each
looking for his turn next.
Two of the companies were removed
to the adjacent islands, thereby being
saved from the fevers fearful ravages.
Two companies We're retained to guard
the fort and prisoners. Prisoners had
to stand the brunt of the fever, their
only safety being in an overruling
Providence. Out of the 50 prisoners
the garrison lost in officers and men ~.
HAD COFFINS READY.
Men at first when taken sick, were
carried to the small key termed Sand
Kew. upon which small temporary
shed had been erected as a hospital,
the commanding officer thinking there
by to prevent the garrison from being
infected. Sick patients, seated in a
fronted by collins which were piled up
in the bow of the boat This of itself
was sufficient to cause alarm, and even
to kill the faint-hearted, of whom
there were quite number collected on
that small area of seven and hall
acres.
With but few exceptions those VINO
were conveyed to the key in the small
boat fell victims to the disease, and
are buried beneath the sandy soil
When DR.. Mudd was given charge he
stated to the commanding officer that
it would be advisable to discontinue
this practice; that the fever was in ou1
midst and that it could not be dis
lodged until the poison had expended
itself, advising that all cases be
brought to and treated at the hospital
This was acceded to, and, from hlf
manner of treatment in the disease,
great change was soon to be noted.
From this period until the arriva
from Key West of DR.. Whitehurst ev'
erything was progressing favorably
no death occurring. DR.. Whitehurst
perfectly conversant with the mode OF
treatment, he having had immense
practice in the disease, approved DR.
Mudd's manner of treatment and II
was continued throughout the perioo
the fever ragged in our midst. The few
err began to assume a more virulen
type, and in spite of the untiring eX'
ertion of both began to make sad IN
roads into our numbers
Everyone now thought of self alone
There was no respect shown by the at
tendants, they being soldiers taker
from different companies, to either The
dead or the dying. No sooner had the
breath left the body than it was cot
fined and hurried over to it's last rest
ing place, there being a boat, with {
crew. detailed as the burying party, al
ways awaiting. In many instances cot
fins were brought into the hospital ant
placed alongside of the bed to receive
- taH IN a