The National tribune., 1904-09-29

tons and banqusts "when the old house
was new"
Among its most famous prisoners were
the late Senator Vance, Governor Letcher,
Representative Barnes Compton, and many
others who had held high political and
social position in former days Editors Of
seditious newspapers, Knights Of the
Golden Circle, deserters from the Union
army, blockade runners, prisoners Of war
and prisoners OF state to the number Of
800, and at times over 1000, were con.
fined in the Old Capitol Prison. The pres
sure for room finally became so great that
new quarters had to be provided. Along
First street there was q row Of houses adj
joining the Old Capitol Prison, known as
the duff Green Row." ard these were
pressed into servics. The houses were the
very oldest in the District Of Columbia,
and were used a. 4 hospital during the
War OF 1872: the wounded from the battle
along the Bladensburg road being taken
there. In the early sos Duff Greer Bought
portion OF the row of houses end turned
tnem into printing Office. In this print
ing office the late Simon Cameron worked
at the case many a day
Men were not the only prisoners Of
war" The keepers of the detention houses
and prisons used to say that they would
rather take care of 10 suspected men than
one suspected woman. The women were
very cunning, and they were excellent
spies and messengers for the enemy.
The most noted woman prisoner was
probably Belle Boyd, the rebel spy, who
began her career by shooting a Union SOL
dier whom she said had insulted her at her
home In Martinsburg, Va Mrs Rose ON.
Greenhow, aunt Of Mrs. Stephen A.
douglas. was another prisoner of estate"
She was VIGOROUSLY active in the Sa.h-
ern cause. and being something of -
- ~.
curing information through her society as
sociations. This information she imme-
diately sent to the rebel authorities. and
took pains to tell it. The idea Of arrest
ing q woman was repugnant to the Pro-
yost- Marshal, but the offenses were 50
nagrant that he finally ordered her ar
rest and confinement in her own house.
313 18th street northwest. Mrs. Green
how from this semi-prison wrote some re-
markable letters to the members of the
Cabinet, telling them what to do and what
would happen il they did not do it. These
she printed in queer little volume, long
since out of print, with scathing comment
upon the way things were done, they being
not at all to her liking.
Mrs. Greenhow became 50 ardently open
in her denunciations Of the Administra-
ION; and 50 troublesome: that she was
finally removed to the Old Capitol Prison.
where she was kept till she could be sent
to Richmond, where she went to Join Mr..
Davis. who was then posing as a Presi-
dent. Her house was used as a prison for
the milder kind Of women suspects until
such place was no longer necessary. A
few who were recalcitrant were sent to the
Old Capitol bastile to keep Mrs. Greenhow
company. Among those of most note were
a Miss Poole, Mrs. Phillips and two daugh-
ters. Miss Levi, Mrs Hasler, Miss
Mackall. and Mrs. Jackson. mother of the
man who shot Ellsworth Among the pris-
oners of 1865 was Mrs. Surratt. who was
held there for time before being trans-
ferred to the Arsenal Prison.
-Four military executions took place In
the Old Capitol Grounds. The most noted
being that of Wirz, who was the keeper OF
Andersonville Prison. and who, after being
tried by military commission of which
Gen. Lew Wallace was President, was
convicted of violation of the rules of war
in wantonly destroying the lives of United
States prisoners while they were prisoners
under his care, and was sentenced to be
hung. He confessed that the Indictment
was true. but said that he was obeying
the orders of high superiors. He was
hung in the grounds Of the prison. the
scaffold standing exactly where the flower