The Washington herald., 1909-01-17
ESCAPE FROM LIBBY
Survivor of Seven Men Who
Dug Tunnel Tells Story.
OATH OF SECRECY WAS TAKEN
John Mitchell, of POmeroy, Wash
Held In Famous Prison for Nine
Months, and, Following Long Ill
mesa, Learns that He Is Free and
that the War Is Over.

tlE WIZ uEeE
Spokane, Wash. Jan I6.-yOhn Mitchell,
Of Pomeroy. Wash, last survivor OF the
seven men who dug the tunnel from
Libby Prison. thus providing means for
the escape Of 165 men. told for the first
time the story Of the desperate struggle
during the civil war, also casting new
light upon the manner IN which the plot
was conceived and carried out.
Before beginning the work. he said. on
a recent visit to Spokane. the seven men
took an oath Of secrecy. fixing death 10
be the penalty OF violation. Il was de-
cided that If any OF them revealed the
plot while they were digging the tunnel.
the others were TO take him 70 the top
Of the warehouse at night and throw
him from the highest window 10 the rocks
below. This would have meant certain
death.
The rest Of Mr. MitcheIFs renarka BE
narrative Of the escape is best told in
his own words:
i vas in Libby for nine months-the
longest, dreariest. most hopeless nine
months Of my life Hope was something
that none OF Us knew. There were in
the prison at that time many OF my com
rades OF the seventy-seventh Pennsyi-
vania. true patriots, every one Of them.
They knew what suffering was. If ever
men did in this world There is not one
OF them alive to-day who cannot recall
as distinctly as II but a month ago the
awful suffering and misery We endured.
willing to suffer.
But let me tell you. there IS not one
Of them who would not go through il all
again II necessity demanded it. that the
greatest government in the world might
be perpetuated and the Union preserved
for the greatest people Of the world.
After We had spent months that seem
ed years-decades-and 10 some OF US.
centuries. in that pen, the plan Of escape
suggested itself TO seven Of Us. six com
rades and myself. We conceived the idea
Of digging the tunnel under the ware
house. under the walls Of the prison pen.
and far enough outside to give a start TO
those who were willing 10 take the risk
IN the hope Of gaining liberty.
1t vas a desperate undertaking. as We
fully realized. and even believing as We
did In the loyalty Of every prisoner
there. we could not dare 10 take them into
our confidence for fear the secret would
become known 70 the guards. In that
event We knew It meant nothing but
wholesale slaughter OF prisoners. many Of
whom would not be connected in the Mot
20 escape There was one obstacle. the
guard inside the warehouse, whom we
could not expect 70 escape while We
worked, and therefore there was but one
way TO overcome this obstacle. and that
was 10 bride him. After numerous Al
tempts We succeeded in doing this
agreeing each Of Us to pay him s.N0
after We had regafned our liberty and
OUT homes. An agreement on this basis
was finally concluded and we set 10 work.
Progress Is slow.
I need not say Il was slow progress.
handicapped as We were by the fear and
danger OF being discovered. and having
TO work with the disadvantage OF 10 tools
but our hands and the pocket knives
few had been able TO retain when in
prisoned. The disposal Of the earth and
stones. as We loosened them. was a hard
matter Not one Of Us was able. phvsi-
cally, to DO much work But hope sprang
up in our hearts. and the prospect Of free
dom buoyed Us I'D in a manner that
now seems miraculous 10 me
The days and nights grew into years.
Z seemed, as We tOiled- But not once
did any OF Us become discouraged. We
grew weaker as the task neared its end,
and when It was all but completed dark
ness came over me. and yielded to the
OF an overweight constitution.
and for weeks knew nothing. That I
lived is due 10 the fact that I was cared
for by pris0ner-nurse whom 1 shall
hold in grateful remembrance as long as
/ live He kRd charge Of my case half
the time, ana frequently on coming on
duty found me lying on the floor. IN
noticed and uncaTed for. where I had
fallen in the delirium.
When consciousness returned he made
every effort TO find out ny name and
where H. home had been, but my mind
was blank. and il was DAYS before
could tell him anything remember
the JOY with which I learned that the
plans for escape through our tunnel had
been successful and that my six faithful
comrades had GOT away, accompanied by
I'D other prisoners.
shot for DisObedience.
The days after I recovered seemed
more UnendGrable than ever. The pri-
Fation and the awful scenes Of daily &C.
,urrences go TO make up q chapter in. my
ife I would Ike TO forget. but can never
expect 70. ] saw men shot for disobe-
Hence for trying 10 reach little stream
II biaekish. foul-snelling water 20 quench
he consuming thirst: for inability To
perform some task when called upon. for
hings that they were as pOWerless 10
prevent as little babes. Some OF those
Who fell were my own comrades. That
ever left the place alive is a great won
Ter TO NE. and I know there were times
when / wished death would relieve my
offerings
The darkest hour is Just before ths
lawn, they say, and il seems so now
Dragging myself YEARLY around tba
toekade one day l heard the heavy firing
4 guns and knew in an instant they
we're the guns Of the Union army. Moth
rs ever sounded half so sweet TO me be-
ore. FOR in their thunder I read the glad
ieWs that We were 10 be set free. I can
emember clearly Of throwing nv can
gainst the walls Of the old warehouse
nd feebly cheering
Nothing msttered then. and We no
1ngeT feared the guards. Relief and re-
ease soon came, and those of Us who
'ere able TO overcome the deplorable
hysical condition into which We bs5
allen, were soon on the road to recov-
". By our comrades We were treated
18th every consideration.
OF the seven men who dug that tunnel
nd provided the way for escape Of them
elves and their comrades. I an the o,Iv,