Old Capitol Prison

[Laurie Verge]

I am not aware of a full book being dedicated to the history of the Old Capitol Prison, but there are cameo histories of it in quite a few sources. One interesting story is from the days that a hell-cat by the name of Catherine Baxley "resided" there at the same time that the occupants of Mrs. Surratt's boardinghouse were there. I believe one of Mrs. Surratt's young ladies, Honora Fitzpatrick, was a roommate of Mrs. Baxley. There is also reference to Mrs. Baxley's Confederate son being brought there to die and Mrs. Surratt lending aid and comfort to the young man.

One of my staff members, Joan Chaconas, did a talk on the Old Capitol and its superintendent several years ago at a Surratt conference. I'll see what she has to say.