The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-08-04

ESCAPE OF O'DoNAHUE THE IRISH EXILE
FROM VAN DIEMAN's LAND.-That valuable
paper, the Cleveland Herald, has condensed
from the Tribune very interesting ac-
count of the escape Of this distinguished ex-
lie, from the English Penal Colony
Mr.. O'D. left Launceston in December
last, disguised as a sailor, being put on
board a steamer bound for Melbourne, first
concealed in stove, and afterwards in a
cavity under the coal hole, Immediately ad.
joining the furnaces, and separated from
them by sheet iron. This apartment was
seven feet in length, three in width, and
two in height, admitting the body only in a
recumbent position. When the boat fred
up, the heat. was almost insupportable,
threatening death by suffocution or apo
plexy, and which was avoided by pumping
water into this prison, which completely
saturated Mr.. O'D., and where he remained
two hours during the po lice search, when he
was removed to the engine room greatly ex-
hausted. About forty miles farther, at
Georgetown Heads, the same ordeal was
passed through for the space of three hours,
during which time even the coal hole was
examined by the police.
On second release from his fiery fur
mace the exile was concealed in a birth,
remaining there day and half, until the
arrival of the steamer at Melbourne, where,
accompanied by friends, Mr.. O'D. walked
ashore dressed in his old blue trowscrs,
check shirt and black and greasy, passed
through crowd of people composed of po-
lice and detectives on horse and foot, took
a carriage and after feet horse was carri-
ed to the house of friend about four miles
from Melbourne.
After remaining two days under this hos
pitabe roof it was deemed best by the
friends of the patriot that he should remove
long distance from Melbourne, to a Sc
cluded and remote part of the forest, border
ing on the sea shore, and remain there un-
til an opportunity should offer for his escape
to America. A Accordingly accompanied by
an Irish guide, and armed cap-a-pie, they
travelled 80 miles to the beach on Hobson's
Bay, where an old dlapidated hut, swarm
ing with rats and musketoes, was selected
as the least suspicious abode to place the
escaped convict, and where he was kindly
cared for by the family of brother of his
guide, and where he suffered severely from
dysentery, brought on by the hot weather,
bad water and unwholesome food.
Here Mr.. O'D. remained three or four
days when he was summoned bya letter
brought by a friend, to come Immediately to
Melbourne to embark for South America,
and Notwithstanding the mercury was at
l02 in the shade at midday, and the severe
illness of Mr.. O'D., the distance was accom-
plished on horse back in 20 hours.
1t was intended that he should sail in the
ship earl of Lincoln" and his passage and
a bribe were paid the Captain, but the
drunken state of that officer prevented the
plan being carried out, and finally Mr.. O'D.
sailed on board packet, January Slh, for
Sydney, and was concealed in the hold of
the ship without light or air, and so covered
up by the cargo as to escape the search Of
the police, arriving at Port Jackson on the
evening of the 2lst, where by accident he
got into the Hotel of an Irishman who
stood guard through the night.
The next day the fugitive was conveyed
to secluded spot on the beach, four miles
from Sydney, and in sight of the far-famed
Botany Bay, where he remained until Feb
ruary 9th, treate | in the most hospitabe
manner, when, getting passage in small
cutter "Oberon," he sailed for Tahati, one
Of the South Sea islands, under the protec.
torate of the French; the friends of the ex.
lie paying the exorbitant price Of G4o0 for
his passage. Tahati was reached on the
Sd of A pril, where the American Consul, sc
far as he was empowered, placed the refu
gee under the protection of the American
flag, and as there was British Consul al
that island, Mr.. O'D. remained incognito
under the name of John Thompson, ant
was kindly treated by the Americans.
Crossing in whale boat, twenty-five
miles, to the island of Emio, passage wa'
taken on the bark Ontario, April 3Oth, 70
San Francisco, which was reached June22d
1853, having been 1856 days in suspense ant
i'll health, in escaping from Van Dieman'
Land,
Mr.. O'Donohue landed on Monday a,
New York from California, looking hal,
and hearty, and has taken rooms at the As
tor House, where he is receiving the con
gratulations OF his friends.
MONUMENT TO GALLAUDET. "A monumen
in memory to the late 7, H. Gullaudei
whose invaluable services to the Deaf an
Dumb have rendered his name famou