The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-07-13
In three chapters-chapter II.

lceted in the street very soon
found out that they we're holding a
drumhead court-martial on me. During
this time there was a stream of men
and boys passing by the wagon and
looking over the sides to get a sight
at me Two grayhaired men, hand.
somely dressed in gray, with stove
pipe hats and ruff1ed shirt bosoms.
each lne looking gentleman, came
along on the sidewalk and looked ov-
er the side at NE, and one said to
the other 1T is a pity to hang that
young fellow" The other answered:
Yes, II is too bad At this time
several in the crowd hollered out:
Now we will see a Yankee hung in
few moments" well knew on
hearing the above that the drumhead
court martial had sentenced me to be
hung. Becoming tired Of having 50
many gazing at me, ! drew red silk
handkerchief over my face with my
right hand. could see through this,
but they could hardly see me. Some
moments before this | had noticed
two ladies sitting in an open window
over the headquarters Office and that
they we're looking down at me.
could see them through my silk hand
kershsef very plainly, and saw that
they had made no manifestations Of
Joy when It became known that ! was
sentenced to be hung. One OF the
ladies seemed about forty-hve and
the other eighteen OF twenty years
old. They we're looking right down
in my face. The thought ran through
my mind: Possibly you are Union
ladies'" Anyway, would find out
what their feelings towards me were.
So took hold of my handkerchief
with my right hand. and, watching
my opportunity. when nc one would
zee me, drew II of my face. They
both saw the movement and that
was looking at them. The younger
one stepped backward, and, pulling
from her bosom a handkerchief way
ed her hand. nodded my head to let
them know that recognized the act.
This little act of sympathy was TOO
much for me. and instantly flood Of
tears ran down my cheeks in spite
OF my best Efforts to hold them back.
Not long after the above incident,
very nicely dressed and gentleman
ly young man about twenty-four years
cid, having on a captains uniform
came up on the sidewalk, and, lean.
ing over the sid eof the wagon, asked,
in very pleasant voice and manner;
.Are you the officer they have here?"
j said: 4 presume am the one you
mean"
what is your Manner
Samuel Harris"
what regiment are you from?"
"The Fifth Michigan Cavalry"
What is your rank and company"
First Lieutenant, Company A."
Il want TO be sure / am right You
say you are Samuel Harris. First Lieu
tenant, Company A, Fifth Michigan
Cavalry"
Yes, sir; that is right"
He then leaned over close TO nv
head and said; Lieutenant, don't be
scared; they are not going to hang
you or hurt a hair Of your head, as
sure YOU" l started TO ask him who
be was and by what authority he said
SO, but he was gone. raised up on
my right elbow and looked for hp,
but he was nowhere to be seen. ne
had completely disappeared In the
crowd lay back on the straw and
thought over what the captain had
said to me. HIS looks and manner as
sured me that he was not triilins
with me. and that he meant just
what he said when he told me "they
are not going to hang you" But itl
that was true, why had he disappear
ed SO suddenly? Why did he not ten
me by what authority he made this
statement? Hope and fear raced
through my mind at lightning speed
for the next half hour. 1t would be
Impossible by the greatest stretch OF
imagination for the reader to con.
celve OF my feelings during this time.
Then a sergeant came~up by the side
~ the wagon with a great, hro
smile on his face and his eyes just
sparkling with JOY, and said to me:
"IAeuteDant. they amt going to hang
you ! have got orders TO take you TO
Libby Prison, and that you are 20 be
used Ike other prisoners OF war"
Libby Prison, with all it's horrors. !
was better than being hung
Very soon the sergeant ordered the |
driver TO 60 down Capitol street 70