George, this is the procedure. Call the Columbus, Ohio Public Library (downtown) at (614) 645-2275 after you call hit option #2 then hit #2 once more this will put you in contact with the proper librarian. You do not have to be a member of the library to do this. Another option is to use the internet for a request. Their address is www.columbuslibrary.org//contact
If I were you I would do it by phone although they would prefer it be done by email. They will do newpaper aritlces only and are kinda funny about only doing one at a time.
There were in fact two articles in question about the event. However what you want is the second article and the name of it was "Soldiers of the Prison" "Hold one of Most Unique Reunions Upon Which the Sun Ever Shone" "The Blue and the Gray" "Mingle Their War Songs and Stories Together in the Penitentiary Campus" "The Rollcall of Prisoner Ex-Soldiers- A Happy Event"

A rather long title to be sure. The newspaper is the "Ohio State Journal" dated Tuesday June 1, 1897. Excluding the advisement you want columns 2 & 3. The library hours are from 9 to 9 Monday through Friday and they are open now. Depending upon whom you speak to and how you speak to them you might have the aritcle today.

The other article is dated Monday May 31, 1897 and the title is "Celebration Most Unique" "Ex-Union and Confederate Soldiers in the State Prison to Have a Reunion Today"

If I were you I would only get the second article. Once you have it than call back and ask for the 1st article if you want it. The article on May 31, 1897 does not mention anyone by name only the planning for the memorial day event. The library is sort of funny about doing more than one article at a time. If you run across any problems let me know, I will not be able to help you after this weekend as I'll be traveling again. Thx Dennis

Also Columbus does have criminal records going back to post Civil War in Franklin County. They are on Micro film and a person could find out exactly what the crime was and information about the case. Just thought I would throw that out if interested.