, j. ,i .
. ' . tj. Lt U Lrc
- v ., . t, . ?n Ufa ... i . . yi ir-v v v . . ..."-".' n i . r;.
. 7-.,
J. YATES, Editor and Propreitor.
7Vri 0 Subscription Three Doliaks, in adrance.
CHARLOTTE, N. C, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1867.
SIXTEENTH ? VOLUME li UIIDEH
l.'S ' - . ..... ..
III,
I
THE
"Western Democrat
PUBLISHED BY
WILLIAM J. YATES, tditor and Proprietor.
o
Terms Three Dollars per annum in adyance.
o
Advertisements. For one square of ten lines or
load will chnrerod far P5ifh inuuvtinn unlou
- ' " ' - f- U II H
kept in for over one month. Notice? of marriages
and deaths published gratis. Obituary notices of
over five lines in length charged for at advertising
rates.
Important Public Notice.
MUST BE SOLD.
AVc offer our immense Stock of New Goods at less
than cost prices. We invite the attention of
Wholesale & Retail Buyers.
Special attention is called to our immense Slock of
Boots and Shoes,
The largest, best selected and cheapest in North Caro
lina. A splendid assortment of
DRESS GOODS, CALICOES, &c.
AX IMMENSE AND ELEGANT
Varicly ofie!aines, all grade.;
Shawls, lilankt-ts, Nubias,
Jiools, (j! loves, Hosiery, Notions,
And everything in our line.
Gents and lioys Clothing, all grades and all prices
Jeans, Satint-ts, Cassimere., liroad Cloths, Hoots
and Shoes, Under Shirts, Hosiery, &c.
fiROCEUIES, HARDWARE, BAGGING
And ROPE, &c, &.C., at prices that defy competition.
B!3ft- Wholesale and Retail dealcrs will iind our
&tock the cheapest and largest in Charlotte.
H. & li. EMANUEL,
Tryon Street, next door to Mansion House.
October 2a, 1807. '.)m
A.
A.
Afloat all Alone.
Having purchased the interest of J. M. Sanders in the
GROCERY AND PROVISION BUSINESS,
I would respectfully ask the custom of iny friends
and the public generally. And if fair dealing be
worth anything in the party with whom you do busi
ness, all I ask is a showing. My stock consists of
iiich goods as are usually found in the provision line. !
S. F. HOUSTON,
April 22, 18fi7. Next door to Charlotte Hotel.
Charlotte Female Institute,
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
The present session opened on Tuefday the 1st of
October, and will continue until oOlh Juir., IbiJS.
OFFICERS AND INSTRUCTORS:
Rev. R. Rurwell, Principal and Instructor in Men
tal and Moral Philosophy and Mathematics.
Jno. R. Rurwell, A. M., Chemcstry, Natural Phi
losophy and Ancient Languages.
Mrs. M. A. Rurwell, English branches and Super
intendent Social duties.
Prof A. Kaumann, Vocal and Instrumental Music.
Prof. R. E. Piguet, Drawing, Painting and Modern
Languages.
Miss Mary Ratte, English Branches and French.
Mrs Sally C. White, English Branches.
Miss Mary F. Penick, Music "on Piano and Guitar.
Miss Ella R. ("arson, Music on Piano.
Terms as heretofore. For Circular and Catalogue
containing full particulars address.
Rev. R, BURVVELL & SON,
Charlotte, N. C.
September 23, 1SC.7.
Medical Card.
DRS. GIBBON & McCOMBS, having associated
themselves in the practice of Medicine and Surgery,
respectfully tender their professional services to the
citizens of Charlotte ami surrounding country.
From a large experience in private as well as
Field and Hospital practice, they feel justified in
proposing to pay special attention to the practice of
Surgery in all its branches.
Ofiice in Granite Row, up stairs, opposite the
Mansion House.
ROBERT GIBBON. M. D.
Dec 11, 1SC5 J. I McCOM BS, M. D.
MILLER & BLACK,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Groceries, Provisions & Produce,
AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
Trade S'rect, CHARLOTTE, X. C,
Have now in Store and will keep constantly on hand
a full and select stock of the above articles for sale;
to which they respectfully invite the attention of
their friends and the public generally.
R. M. MILLER. W. J. BLACK.
September 23, 1807.
English Blue Stone.
A fresh supply of this fine article for sale low at
SCAUR'S DRUG STORE.
Congress and Kissingen Waters,
For pale at
SCAUR'S DRUG STORE.
$2?" Hair Brushes, Tooth Brushes, Combs and
various articles of Perfumery, fresh supply, just re
ceived at SCARR'S DRUG STORE.
September 0. 1807.
COOKING STOVES,
OF THE NEATEST AND MOST SUl'EEIOK PATTERN".
D. II. BYERLY, Springs' Building, Charlotte, N.
C, has for sale '-Spear's Anti-Dust Cooking Stoves,"
jyhieh, for every variety of cooking and great econ
omy in fuel, cannot be surpassed by any Stove here
tofore used.
Everybody who has used one of these Stoves testify
that, for convenience in cooking, durability and clean
liness, they are far preferable to all other patterns.
.Call and see them.
D. II. BYERLY has also on hand a good assort
ment of Tin, Japan and Sheet-Iron Ware- such arti
cles as are necessary for house-keeping.
6 TIN-WARE niade to order at short notice on
reasonable terms.
REPAIRING promptly executed.
D. II. BYERLY,
Springs' Building, Charlotte, N. C.
March 2C, 1807.
SADDLES AND HARNESS.
Robert Shaw & Son,
Third Door from the JIanmon Jlouxe,
RESPECTFULLY in-
form the public that thev
2. have a large stock of Sad-
V dies and Harness on hand,
nimii uu-v oner 10 the
Srjst public at low prices.
Anything in the way
of
X? S ATYTiT.T'Q TTAT?XTT?C!0
urioies, rtlartinsrales.
COLLARS, &c., will be furnished or made to order.
As we are regular mechanics, we think it will be
to the advantage of all to buy from us. We warrant
our work. , .
83 REPAIRING neatly executed at short notice
and on reasonable terms. R. SHAW.
W. E. SHAW.
oet. H, m.
Cm
mm
The Eternal Word.
No fragment of an army ever survived so many
battles as the Bible; no citadel ever withstood
so many sieges; no rock was ever battered by so
many hurricanes and so swept by storms. And
yet it stands. It has seen the rise and downfall
of Daniel's four empires. Assyria bequeaths a
few mutilated figures to the riches of our Na
tional Museum. Media and Persia, like Bady
lou, which they conquered, have been weighed
in the balance and long ago found wanting
Greece faintly survives in its historic time: "'Tis
living Greece no more;" and the iron Rome of
the Caesars is held in precarious occupation by a
feeble hand. And yet the Book that foretells
all this survives. While nations, kings, philos
ophers, systems, institutions, hare died away,
me mine now engages men s- deepest thoughts
is examined by the keenest intellects, stansflirpasRed around the circle, the chief commen
revered before
the highest tribunals, is more
read and silted, and debated, more devotedlv
loved, and more vehemently assailed, more de
fended and more denied, more industriously
translated and freely given to the world, more
honored and abused than any book the world
ever saw. It survives all changes, itself un
changed; it sees all things decay, itself incorrup
tible; it sees myriads of other books engulfed in
the stream of time, yet it is borne along trium
phantly on the wave; and will be borne along,
till the mystic angel shall plant his foot upon the
sea, and swear by him that liveth forever and
ever, that time, shall be no longer. "For all
flesh is as grass, and all the glory of many as the
flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the
flower thereof falleth away; but the Word of the
Lord eudureth forever."
New Piano for Sale.
A splendid new 7 octave Rosewood Piano. We
can ship any day desired. Terms very reasonable.
BRANSON, FARRAR & CO.,
Agents StiefF's Premium Pianos,
Nov. 11. 1K07. -Iw Raleigh, N. C.
Administrator's Sale.
As Administrator of William Ross, deceased, I
will sell at his late residence, on Tuesday the 3d day
of December next, and from day to day till finished,
all the personal property of said deceased, consisting
of
Horses, Mules, Cattle, Sheep,
About 20 head of Pork Hgs, 30 head of Stock
Hogs, 3 Road Wagons and Harness, 1 Carriage and
Harness, 1 Buggy and Harness, Farming Implements,
Blacksmith Tools; Household and Kitchen Furniture
(some fine Beds.) .ic. Sec.
Also, Corn, Fodder, Oats, Hay, Teas, Cotton Gin
and Threshing Machine.
Terms made known on day of sale.
Nov. 4th. J. P. ROSS, Adm'r.
FURTHER NOTICE.
All persons indebted to the estate of Wm. Ross,
deceased, are notified to come forward and make set
tlement, and those having claims, must present them,
properly authenticated, within the time prescribed
by law, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their
recovery.
November 4, 1807.
J. P. ROSS, Adm'r.
IMPORTANT SALE.
I will offer for sale, on Friday, the 6th of Decem
ber next, one Tract of Land, within half a mile of
Ilarrisburg Depot, containing 400 acres . lying in
Cabarrus county, on the waters of Back and Footy
Creeks. Ou the premises area good Dwelling-house
and all the out-houses necessary for a well regulated
farm ; a good Gin House, Screw, &e. ; a fine orchard,
not excelled by any in the county. I will also sell
all my Household and Kitchen Furniture, Wheat,
Corn, Farming Tools, &c. Terms made known on
day of sale. ALEXANDER McKLNLEY.
November 11, 1867 4wpd
Dr. JOHN H. McADEN,
Wholesale and Retail Druggist,
CHARLOTTE, N. C,
Has on hand a large and well selected stock of PURE
DRUGS, Chemicals, Patent Medicines, Family Medi
cines, Paints, Oils, Varnishes,. Dye Stuffs,-Fancy and
Toilet Articles, which he is determined to sell at the
very lowest prices.
May 20, 1807.
NEW BOOT AND SHOE STORE.
S. 15. MEAC1IAM,
Xear the First National Bank of Charlotte.
I am now receiving from the Manufacturers North
the most complete assortment ever offered in this
market of Boots and Shoes.
I will sell by the case to Merchants at New York
prices, and to the Retail Trade I will sell as low as
any one.
LADIES SHOES.
I keep Miles' test Shoes for Ladies, Misses and
Children, and Gentlemen's Boots of all kinds
French Calf Skins, American Calf, Kip Skuw and
Sole Leather of all kinds.
1 feel thankful for the liberal patronage heretofore
bestowed on me.
Be sure and look for the green Sign-board.
S. B. MEACHAM,
Near the First National Bank
October 14, 1867.
Six per cent Interest.
Deposits received subject to sight checks and six
per cent interest allowed at
Oct. 7, 1807. CITY BANK OF CHARLOTTE.
Notary Public.
Notary Tublic for the City of Charlotte and Meck
lenburg counfv, applv at the
CITY BANK OF CHARLOTTE,
November 4, 1807. Trade Street.
Ragged Money.
Torn and defaced Shinplasters, Greenbacks, and
National Bank Notes, bought at a very reasonable
discount at the CITY BANK OF CHARLOTTE,
November 4, 1807. " Trade Street.
State of North Carolina, Union County.
Court of rieas $ Quarter Sessions Oct. Term, 1867.
Green B Rushing and wife Penny et al vs. Joel
Rushing and wife Zilplia, Grten D'eesc, Allen Deese,
James Home and wife Mary.
Petition for Partition of the real estate of Edmund
Deese, deceasad.
It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that
the defendants Joel Rushing and Zilpha his wife,
Green Deese, James Home and Mary his wife, and
Allen Deese, reside beyond the limits of this State,
it is ordered by the Court that publication be made
for six successive weeks in the Western Democrat, a
paper published in the city of Charlotte, notifying
said absent defendants to be and appear at the next
Term of this Court, to be held for the county of Union,
at the Court House in Monroe, on the 1st Monday in
January next, then and there to answer, plead or
demur to the allegations f said petition, tr judgment
pro confesso -wiU be Xaken and the case stand for
hearing. - "
Witness, J. E. Irby, Clerk of our said Court t
office, in Monroe, the let Monday in October, 1867.
93-Ctadv, $10,) . , 'jlKEYy Clerk.
An Indian Dog Feast
The correspondent of the St. Louis Democrat
was one of the invited guests t a dog feast giT-
en by the Indian chief SrMed Tail. He thus
describes the symposium : As the occasion
was one which promised novelty, we readily ac
cepted. Un our arrival we lound the supplies
of the Indian delicacies commensurate with the
quality of the guests. The cooking was simple
enoughs without salt or condiment. We all
squattediiujives on the ground, and the old
and yongfsquaws acted as servitors 5 for the oc
casion, i. Before proceeding, the great calumet
of peace Mas passed around. 'Whenever this
calumet is brought forth, it is a token of great
respect, adorned as it is with brassitacks, blue
and golden feathers, beads of coral, Shd carved
in the most unique manner. After the pipe had
ced the feast by eating, regardless of any of us.
There were all kinds of wild meat spread out
and the most delicious of them all was the dog
meat. In huge dishes of wood might be seen
a juicy lump of bufialo, a hind quarter -of an
antelope, elk meat, venison, wild- ducks, geese,
and turkeys, surrounded by dishes of wild beans,
Indian corn, wild rice, and some strange herbs,
which appeared to be very palatable. These
various vegetables were boiled separately, with
a sprinkling of buffalo grease, giving the whole
an extremely unctious yet savory appearance.
In the centre of the circle were two dogs, of
dropsical appearance, the hair merely cut close
and roasted entire, intestines and all. Over this
excellent, delicate food was poured a gravy
dog's grease. This exquiste dripping had been
collected in bone dishes. The dogs appeared
plump and young, and all appeared to pay es
pecial attention to the two young pups, which
were to them what dessert is to the civilized
whites. For the sake of appearing satisfied with
our surroundings, we partook of a very small
piece, merely out of curiosity, and could we but
conquer our prejudices, we might have made a
very hearty meal; cs it was we were, satisfied.
The meat appeared to be of a brownish color,
somewhat resembling porpoise meat. If we
might judge by the oily streaks about the ca
pacious mouths of the chiefs, and the pleasure
which sparkled in their eyes, we would pronounce
dog meat delicious. After the feast was over
there were three canine skeletons left on their
respective dishes, forlorn looking remnants of
dogs that once barked. Tomahawks, answering
the purpose of pipes, as well as instruments of
bloody deeds, were handen to us, and as this
was an important epoch in Spotted Tail's life, he
caused them to be filled with the leaf nocotianna
quadrivalvis. Generally, the tobacco they use
is composed of the sakakorni plant (arbitus
ovaursi) or knnikinnick, a species of wellow bark.
Till a late hour we smoked a tomahawk that
was once steeped in gory brains, and under the
soothing influence of the tobacco we wove bright
Indian legends.
Special Term of Superior Court.
State of Noitth Carolina, 1 Superior Court of Law,
Mecklenburg County. Fuji Term, 1867.
It appearing to the Court that the Civil Business of
this Court is too great to be done at the regular term
thereof, it is ordered by the Court that a Special
Term of the said Court be held for said County, to
commence on the SECOND MONDAY in December,
1807, (which is the 9th day of the month,) and con
tinue until the end of the following week, if necessary.
All witnesses summoned in the civil causes of said
Court, who may be bound to attend the next regular
term of the Court, shall attend the special term un
der the same rules, forfeitures and penalties, and
with the same privileges, as if the term were a regu
lar term.
Witness, E. A. Osborne, Clerk of our said Court,
at Office, in Charlotte, the 9th Monday after the last
Monday in August, A. D. 1867, and in the 92d year
of American Independence.
94-4v E. A. OSBORNE, Clerk.
NEW DRUG STORE,
opposite the Mansion House, 3d door above
Dewey's Bank, Charlotte, JV". C.
Xearly
KILGORE & CURETON,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Drugs, Chemicals, Perfumery,
Surgical Instruments, Paints, Oils, Dye Stuffs, To
bacco, Segars, Stationery, &c., &c.
B. F. KILGORE, M. D.
Nov. 11, 1867. T. K. CURETON, M. D.
LEONARD H. SMITH
WITH
Kilgore & Cureton, Druggists,
Will be pleased to see his old friends at the New
Drug Store, and being anxious to close out the re
mainder of his Stock of Millinery Goods, Hats, Caps,
Furs, offers great inducements to purchasers. Call
and examine this stock and secure bargains.
November 11, 1867.
Wooden Ware.
Tubs, Churns, Buckets, Washboards, Rolling Pins
everything in the Wooden-ware line, for sale cheap,
next door to the Court House.
Nov. 11, 1867. : JAMES HARTY & CO.
Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes,
Hats and Caps, for sale at low prices, next door to
the Court House.
Nov. 11, 1867. JAMES HARTY & CO.
Crockery, Glass Ware and China.
Beautiful Gold Band Tea Setts, Cut Glass Goblets,
Wine Glasses, Bohemian Glass Toilet Setts, in great
variety, next door to the Court House.
Nov. 11, 1867. JAMES HARTY & CO.
House Furnishing Articles.
Chamber Setts, Japancd some very handsome ;
all kinds of House Furnishing Articles, Knives and
Forks, Spoons, Castors, Candle-sticks, &c., next doer
to the Court House.
Nov. 11, 1867. JAMES n ARTY & CO.
Groceries. .
Sn jrar. Coffee. Tea. Molasses. SoaD. Candles. Table
i Salt, Musti.rd, &cvj;kcap fpr. casly .m?U i4oorAftlh
jCourt House. f.,
Nov. 11, 1 867. t JAMES HARTY & CO.
BAKERY.
Having .secured the services of an experienced
BAKER, w wiU keep ) constantly oa hand a fresh
SUppiT Of.'., ,.., i . fi'- 7 v.
; JBrea4 jand Cakes,
Ajid are prepared to furnish Families and Parties,
at abort jiotice, w ith PLAIN and ORNAMENTAL.
CAKES, Cake Trimmings, &c, at moderate prices.
Satisfaction guarajiteed. Personal attention
given to aD orders.
"ot 18; 18C7. 7SBE7 t MAXWELL'
Castle : Thmider During t the War.
. . From the Richmond Southern Opinion. -
Castle Thunder I What a horrible euphonious
name for a prison place. So suggestive of doom
.and death. r And so it proved to many a Confed
erate soldier, who, lying in the dungeons damp,
or crowded into the common pens, for long weeks
and months awaiting trial for' some violation of
army regulation, sickened, and were taken forth
not to the court martial, but to Oakwobd Cem
etery, where Death was recruiting another great
Confederate army.' Death finds little respect
paid to its grim shape in stern war times, and as
the dead passed the Castle doors day by day,
there were no tears shed for the. departing by
those left behind. Such jocular remarks as these
would be invoked by the appearance of the dead
wagon at the gites, and the passage of the corpse
thereto : "There ; goes a fellow with his dis
charge in his pocket." "Wish ' I was him."
"Got on his pine overcoat at last, bound for Oak
wood."' "Good-bye, Johnny," etc.
Thus did the living learn to mock the dead;
but such are the teachings of war, and "Died in
Castle Thundev" is the entry upon the tablets of
scores of anguished hearts in Southern homes
to-day.
But there are, we suppose, thousands of men
throughout the South, who, as Confederate sol
diers, were at one time or another, during the
four years of its existence, inmates of Castle
Thunder. Not that they had committed grave
offences, for that was not necessary, for the
smallest transgression of military regime such
as neglect of duty, insubordination, transgres
sions condemned the unfortunate offender to
the Turgatory of Castle Thunder, for a period of
time measured according to his offending. 'It
will interest, we know, this large number to learn
something concerning the place where they first
experienced the hospitalities of a Confederate
prison, though the remembrance of it be painful;
and the great public, in whose ear Castle Thunder
was dinged through the Press during the war,
until it became familiar over the whole South,
will listen willingly to the reminiscences of an
institution that is numbered with those of the
past, its glory and its terror alike departed.
The first Confederate prison was located in a
dingy alley, back of Franklin street, between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets. Here John
Minor Botts and other "Union" men were im
prisoned for a short time in 18G1.
Castle Godwin (for by such name itwasknown),
was abandoned in 1862, and the large tobacco
factory of William Greanor & Sons, on Cary
street, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth
streets, became the receptacle of the prisoners.
This factory soon after came to be known as Castle
Thunder a term that had already entered into
history and became , historical. It was never
known, and we believe never inquired into, as to
who suggest ed the name. But before it became
known as Castle Thunder, Captain George W.
Alexander had taken command of the post, and
we believe he applied or suggested it to members
of the Ilichmond press, who did the rest through
their respective journals, styling the post, iu their
reports, 'Castle Thunder." -
Captain Alexander, the commandant, was of
unusually fine physique, in height about five feet
six inches, shoulders broad, and chest deep, limbs
elegantly moulded and proportioned, and when
set off by his Zouave leggings and Confederate
uniform, his appearance was one to attract notice.
His face was full, complexion olive, black hair,
mustache and beard. In his youth he was a
sailor, which fact gave to him a natural, easy
gait and swagger of carriage, which better be
came the deck of a ship than the wards of a
prison. His voice was of the loud, rattling kind,
and he loved to shout his commands as though
delivering them through a speaking-trumpet.
He loved to command and threaten, and there
were qualities in him that greatly assisted him.
In his moods he was capable of inspiring cither
hatred, love or fear. Whether sitting in his
office or moving about through the Castle he
always wore his sword and pistol sometimes two
of them. His black felt hat was adorned with a
feather of the same hue, and altogether he was a
striking and unique figure.
The constant attendant upon the commandant,
lying at his feet, walking at his side, or ranging
through the Castle, with the entree of every quar
ter, was "Hero," the Russian bloodhound, of
massive size, terrible appearance, but peaceful in
disposition. He acted only upon orders from his
master, but then that action was quick as a thun
derbolt. The person of the commandant was
perfectly secure in his company, though he were
unarmed. :?
The sagacity of Hero seemed to partake of the
military character, and he fell readily into the
routine of the Post. At the drum beat for
parade, in the guard room for mustering relief,
Hero would walk through the gang-way, pausing
for . the sentinel to remove his musket, and
leisurely ascend the stair way to the guard room.
There he would seat himself on his haunches,
and calmly observe the evolutions of the guard.
Some of the guard on coming to a "present arms,"
would pretend to salute Hero; whereat the dog
would express delight, nod and yawn, as though
he comprehended the movement, which doubt
less he did, after a dog's fashion. The parade
over, Hero would descend to the great prison
room, and attend the roll call of the prisoners,
manifesting the same degree of interest.
In this way Hero inspected all the operations
of the Castle, penetrating to the cook room and
mess room,"but never touching anything unless
given him from the hand of 4he Commandant.
He was afraid of being poisoned by some of the
prisoners who were enemies to his master, and
therefore kept upon his guard, eating his daily
rations of raw beef and bread, prepared by his
master. -' ' ' : "
1 The next figure that we shall introduce, is that
Of Miss Doctor Mary Walker. : She: was appre
hended in General Johnson's lines in Georgia in
18G3, we think and sent to the Castle upon sus
picion that she might be a spy in disguise. 'Her
arrival in Richmond created a sensation,, as well
it might, as she was the most outre looking crea
ture that could be well conceived.' Her costume
when she entered the Castle, blended the Bloomer
with that of the Exquisite bine frock 'coat; but-
toning ap to tne tnroat, wnn Dcass outtons, ome
trowsersj full Bloomer hat, and rneat little boots.
She exhibited the commission of a Surgeon in
the Federal service, and the insigna; of her dress
also denoted tnat ranjr.- - - ; '
I 'jGood looking ihe was; deeair and ofaleyef
bine, a figure petite " and round, small and lithe.
uood humored she was too, and laughed instead
of cried, and when brought into the presence of
tne commandant, she saluted him with a "Hallo
Captain! At your service, sir." ' . ,
She was unarmed with the exception of a small
poignard she carried in her bosom. This she re
fused to give up, and when the Commandant
made a jocular motion to take the weapon, by
force, she stepped back, planting forward - her
dainty foot, and flashed its blade against hini. m
We do not know how long she was detained at
the Castle, but while she remained, she was
treated by the Commandant more like a guest
thaji a prisoner. At first she was granted the
freedom of the office, where she would sit all day
conversing and joking with the detectives and
reporters, whom she declared were a "horrid set"
for , iiaving carricatured . her so badly in their
reports. -
"I am a lady, gentlemen," she would say, "and
I dare any man to insult me." And her delicate
fingers would tap her poignard significantly.
, After a time she was granted a parole, and fre
quently appeared upon the streets, followed by a
rabble of hooting boys wherever she went But
she did not mind in the least that species of
rough attention, but rather seemed to like it, if
not positively enjoy it.
Finally Miss Doctor Mary Walker was sent
North by flag of truce, but returned here after
the evacuation, and on the 4th of July, 1865,
was the reader of the Declaration of Independence
on the occasion of the negro celebration of the
day on Capitol Square. She is at present, or was
recently, iu London and Paris, making an exhi
bition of herself. She threatens a book on her
Confederate experience. Gracious I
Another noted prisoner was Joseph G. Conuer,
but at what particular date he was committed at
the Castle we do not remember. He entered the
Confederacy at Wilmington, North Carolina, on
one of the blockade runners, and came on direct
to Ilichmond. At the Passport ofiice he applied
for papers under the name of Stanton, but was
recoguized by the clerk as Joseph G. Conner, oi
Baltimore, and arrested as a Federal spy. Fre
quent and tedious examinations before Commis
sioner Baxter failed to produce any direct evi
dence against him. But still his innocence was
not clear, and he lay many months in the Castle.
The writer of these Recollections and Colonel
George P. Kane, with both of whom the prisoner
was acquainted, being importuned by him, made
unsuccessful efforts to obtain his release. The
authorities were convinced that he was a spy, yet
they could not convict and hang him as such
without the evidence. .
When Richmond fell, Conner among other
prisoners, escaped, and then it was he proclaimed
his true character, and threw off his false one, as
no longer needful. He was a Federal spy, in the
employ of the secret service of the United States
Government.
Connor, at liberty among his Yankee friends
at once began his work of revenge, but those
against whom his wrath most burned had left the
city, and he turned hia attention to citizens,
levying black-mail in some instances, and seizing
property in others. For these and other crimes
he was apprehended by the military authorities,
convicted before Judge Mclntee's Court, and
served a term in the Penitentiary. Ho was re
leased about one year ago, and disappeare d.
One of those whom we believe suffered impri
sonment wrongfully was Captain Green wall, a
young Englishman of the Britisb-service, who,
like a few others of his countrymen, prompted
by a love of adventure, or a real desire to aid the
South, came over and landed at Charleston in
18C3. Here he found employment in the corps
of Topographical Corps of Engineers, but falling
under the evil eye oi suspicion, was arrested and
forwarded to Castle Thunder. Here the writer
made his acquaintance, and found him intelli
gent, and even learned to a degree only attained by
the higher classes of English society. He was
handsome as he was intelligent. He state! he
had served in the Crimean and India wars, but
unfortunately had nothing to support his profes-
sions save his own averments. A long connne-(
ment in the dreary Castle followed, varied only
by his frequent examinations before the authori
ties. Nothing was proven, and he was dis-j
chanred. But his proud spirits . were broken;
he was thousands of miles from home, penniless,
and though his wants would, in a measure, have j
been supplied by entering the Confederate ser
vice, he had not the heart to aid in the delence
of a Government that had so unjustly and cruel
ly suspicioned his first hojiest intentions, and in
jured his name and honor. Many is . the time
we have seen tears come into las hne eyes when
any allusion to the subject of his treatment was
made in his' presence.
In his great need he lound a good iricnd in
the late A. Judson Crane, of this city, who al
lowed him' the use of a room in hia ofiice for a
bed-chamber, and supplied him with money.
He was a strange young man, and there was
a mystery about him that he would not, and no
body else could, explain.
One day an English advertisement appeared
in one of the Richmond newspapers, calling for
information of Captain Greenwall, and warning
him, if that notice should reach his eye, to re
turn to England, immediately, as a fortune
awaited him. Whether the notice was the gen
uine emanation from his family, or whether it
was a very clever ruse on his part, we never
learned; but Captain Greenwall disappeared from
his accustomed haunts, and we saw him no more.
We trust he is at home, happy and rich.
St. Marie, the celebrated witness against John
H. Surratt, who is reported to have tracked
him in his wanderings s over the world, encoun
tering him in different quarters thereof, was an
inmate of th: Castle at some time during 18C4,
but under an assumed name, we believe. He
was' apprehcuded as a Federal spy, ... inside the
Confederate lines, but in his case, too, unfortu
nately, the necessary evidence to convict him
was not available! and fhe utmost the Confcde-r
rate authorities could do was to send him put
through one of the "blockade ports to Bermuda.
He made his way thence to Canada, and his next
appearance was in the character of the important
witness against burratt; ' , : "
So far we have written concerning 1 political
prisoners onlyJ ' There were Others of the same
class, but their cases present no incidents of in
terest. " ' Political prisoners were confined sep
arately 's from "all otnersv in' cells located in the
4 ifecand story, "tjie windowi lo"oktipon Cary
street. , There was separate cell for women,
fitted, up expressly for the reception of Mrs. Pat
terson Allen, but refined society cried out against
the humiliation intended for it, and Mrs. Allen
was transferred into the tender keeping of the
Academy of. St. Vincent de Sake. Bat other
women, good, lender and innocent as she, .hart
mourned their days, and wept their nights away
in .the gloomy apartment appropriated to their
sex at the Castle. ' , s
Three or four executions of epics, counterfeit
ers and outlaws took place during the war. The
executioner . on all these occasion . was John
Caphart, who was attached to Castle Thunder in
the capacity of detective for the commandant
Caphart was 4 man with a history. He wai the
same who, many years ago, in Massachusetts,
when the Fugitive Slave Law was in force, brought
off from that State to Virginia, an escaped slave
named Burns, who had been remanded to hia
master by the Massachusetts courts.
The Abolitionists at the head of whom wy
the notorious Passmore Williamson, attempted a
rescue as Caphart was carrying the slave away
to the cars. Caphart clung to his man, wielded
his club, beating back his assailants, who, black
and white, howled upon him like wolves. Burnt
was torn from his clutch; he grasped him again.
Away went part of Caphart's coat; he cared not,
but resolved to take his prisoner or die. He did
the former, and we believe brought Burns back
to Virginia, for which he was rewarded by hia
master.
Caphart, subsequently in the police of Norfolk,
and during the war at Ilichmond, - maintained
that trait of indomni table resolve. He was never
kuown once to let a prisoner go after the iron
vice of his grasp was fairly upon him. If he
resisted he used a peculiar heavy stick that he
always carried; but prisoners, knowing their man,
usually submitted. Caphart, in person, was tall,
heavy set; beard white, Jong and flowing, and
adown the hairy strands a muddy rivulet of to
bacco juice was always coursing. . His face waa
hard; features large and firm; eyes grey, cold and
cruel
At an execution, Caphart was off-hand and
impromptu, showing no more concern while fix
ing the noose, or pulling the bolt, than when
turning the key in the lock-up. If a culprit ex
postulated with him about the arrangement of
the noose, Caphart would reply, "Oh, neyer
mind, I know how to fix it right." If he prayed
for a little more time, he would be comforted by
the assurance that the sooner over,- the sooner
ended.
"But oh! Mr Caphart, I do not want to die!"
"Butyouroul. So be a man. Now do, for
my sake. You know I always treated you well;'
patting the subject on the back.
"But my God, Caphart, this is hard 1"
"I know it is, but its my duty. Now hush I
That's enough. Good bye;" pulling down the
cap, and turning down the step.
"Oh I one moment " .
Be-lung! falls the trap. Caphart's work is
done, and as he surveys his work, he draws forth
a red bandanna, removes his hat, and stands
wiping his face wiping a moi6t eye, perhaps.
But all these things are of the past, and here
we shall rest these Recollections of Castle Thun
der. Caphart is dead and in his grave passed
to that bourne to which he dispatched the malo
factora the executioner with the executed.
The Castle doors are opened, the . guards re
moved, and the prisoners gone to their country
and their home. -
The Castle is a Castle no more only a tobac
co factory, in which busy hives of negroes work
and sing. -
Kindness Conquers. The superintendent
of a Home for Orphan Children found one of
them so wild and unmanagable that he was for
ced to resort to severe measures to keep him
within proper bouuds. One day he was brought
up for some misdemeanor, andas usual a flogging
was the only alternative. It so happened that
the superintendent's little daughter was by, and
as she saw the little lad brought forward, and
heard the offense named, her heart waa touched
with pity; slipping her hand into her father's,
she s:iid :
"He looks sorry, papa; please forgive him and
he won't do so again." I
He reflected a moment, and then calling the
boy to him and asked him what he had to say in
vindication of his conduct
"Nothing,, sir, only I am sorry for what I hart
done."
' Taming a kind and pitiful look on the boy,
he said : r
'This little girl says if we forgive you thie
time, you will not do it again." -'
Tears started into the boy's ey es as he said
gently.' J '..'"- ' - ' , -.1 -t
"And she is right, sir ; I never will do it again."
And from that hour, as the officer afterward
said, he was like a new , boy. Kindness breaks
when harshness cannot bend. : Mercy and for- ,
giveness are not unfrcqucntly i-he best reformers,
African Civilization.- The latest news
from Abyssinia developcs King Theodore in a
still more bloodthirsty aspect. He had made
an expedition to the small island of Metrata, in
the Lafce Tana, and put every lnnamranx lo ve. .
by fire; then he made a trip to Ifag, a flourishing
town in Foggara, seized fifteen hundred peasants.
placed them in ' five ' large houses and burned , s
them alive.. It is said there is now , not a single ,
man, woman or child alive between Debia Tabor z
and Emfras, on the borders of Dembia. In the
camp his majesty has v been pursuing" - the same
inie.T Having heard that two thousand of his "
troops wished to desert, he had them surrounded :
by the others and their throats cut like cattle
the mothers, ves, children and nearest relatives -of
the men being pistoled by the tdldiery. Two
hundred and ninety-five chiefs of districts have :-
had their hands and feet cut oil and nave neen
left to starve. ' - l-: ;'1-' : " ,
' " ' . ' j 1 . '
i The latest styles of bonnet has turned up a
Richmond, Indiana. It is described as fcoui- :
sisting of two- straws, tied together with a blue " '
ribbon on top-of -the head, and red tassels sua- z
pended at each of the four ends of the straws."
Price $19. - -r .
"Miss Smith,t 'wish to' speak to you in private.', r
Permit me to take you apart for a few moments." t
Mis3 Smith rwhb wasn't a.1 all frightened.), 'Cer- -tainly,
sir; it1 ybuVilTpromise to put me together:,. , .
rain' ' . ; . 1