Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-11-28
Slipper Heson's Ride.

SEippef TeSOh'S nae.
Those who read The first number OF The
Aiiantic Monthly will remember Whit
TIERS poem with the above title, which
appeared in one OF the earlier numbers,
and was very widely quoted in the news
papers OF the day. The poem related to
an actual occurrence which we find so
well told 10 a letter from Marblehead to
the New York Evening Post, that we copy
it for the benefit OF our readers:
"Marblehead, whence | wrote you q
year ago, has name in history. She
fought the first naval battle OF the revo-
luton. In the second war with England
she furnished the irigste Constitution
with q great part of her gallant crew.
By her energetic treatment OF Floyd
Ireson she more recently became cele-
brated 10 Whitlier's song. Every body
has read the poem entitled Skipper Ire
sons Ride" but | may tell the story as |
opce heard it, long before it was told in
The poets verse, by an old Marblehead
mate with whom sailed.
Captain Ireson was returning home
with a lull fare from the bay oil Chaleur,
when he sighted q capsized schooner with
her crew clinging 10 the bottom. Turn
lag deaf car TO their entreatles Tor aid,
and against the remonstrances OF his own
crew, with fair wi nd be continued his
voyage. Fortunately the distressed sea-
men were picked up by another vessel
and brought into Beverly the place where
they belonged. Ireson's own townsmen
were so indignant that they went on
board his vessel TO take him ashore Tor
punishment. They found him in the act
of putting on a clean shirt, which they
informed him was unnecessary, as they
had . shirt ready for him. They accord
ingly took him to the wharf, and after
tarring and ieathering him put him in
small skif called dory, which they had
mounted on wheels. lie was then deliv-
cred TO the women who dragged him
through the town. After this they took
him 10 the tavern and gave him some
dinner. In the afternoon Oor Captain
lreson was forced to pass the whole
day in exhibiting himselD the men re-
lieved The women, and, taking hold Of
tho rope. pulled him in the direction oil
Salem. On their way there they heard
that, as the news Of their arrival had
preceded them, a large crowd was co..
lec,ed mostly of the townsmen OF the
shipwrecked fishermen who threatened
10 take Ireson from them and kill him.
This innamed their jealous feelings, al
ways INDUCED towards their neighbors,
and rather turned the tide in favor of the
unfortunate skipper. Locking him up in
Colonel Lees house, they proceeded TO
Salem without him, and there meeting
the mob announced themselves ready TO
'lck any Salem shags or Beverly beaners
who dared to lag their hands on Mar
blehead man. Ii Marblehead man
wanted a licking they would do it them
selves In recording the challenge, the
Marblehead expletives which gave pun
gency TO the language OF its people are
here omitted. 1t may be remarked that
a Marblehead boy begins to talk and to
swear at the same time.
so on their return Skipper Ireson was
turned adrift. He never again made
voyage to the banks, but descended from
his high calling to fishing along the shore
IN a dory for livelihood. A retributive
Justice afterwards seemed ready to fall
upon him. One winters day he was
driven far out into the bay by nor'wester
and had other men been as bad as him
self, he might have been left to perish;
bat exhausted and with frozen limbs, he
was picked up and restored to his home,
where he passed the remainder OF his
days, it is to be hoped, in repenting his
inhumanity. Whittier has coupled with
his verses only one Of the original stan
zas OF the shippers song. | cannot re-
member them all, but these are some of
the rhymes composed for him, which the
women forced him to sing on his inyol-
untary ride, pricking him with marlin
spikes when his voice faltered. The first
two lines were those quoted by Whittier.
sol FLUID oierson for my hord hort
Was tor'd and feathered and cord in 4 cort
Oh FLUID Oerson, in ell my glory
Was tOr'd and leathered and cord in dory
OF, FLUID oierson, for leaving wrack,
Was tor'd and feathered all over my back
Oi, FLUID Oierson, for telling lo,
Was tor'd and feathered above my OF.
"Snch was and still is, the dialect OF
Marblehead, though not taught in the
chools or preached in the churches"