The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-06-26
THE AUSTRALIAN FENIANS.
How the Escape wns PIann,d In Boston Two
Years AEo and How II WI. CnrrIrd Our.

How the Esrnpr was PIanntd In Boston Two
Years AGO and How 1t WI, Carried Out.
Tho report which reaches lis, says the
Boston Transcript, OF the rescEo Of the
Fenian prisoners from tho penal colony
in Australia has created considerable i'll
forest in this vicinity, from the fnct that
the details Of the plan were arranged
aud partially put i'll execution in Boston
some two years ago; and the mention oil
Mr.. John Boyle O'Reilly's name in con-
ncction with the affair induced the
writer to call upon that gentleman with
q view Of asccrtaining further particu.
lars. That gentleman was perfectly
willing to converse upon the subject,
though he had received no more definite
news than has already been mado pub.
lie. Mr.. O'Reilly said it had been incor-
rcctly reported that he was tho leading
spirit in tho scheme, although no was
aware Of nil the details from its inccp-
ton, and from his knowledge Of tho to.
biography OF Australia and the official
management Of the colony he was en-.
nbled to give much information and
many suggestions Of value to tho active
participants.
In tho Grst place largo sum Of money
had to BIO raised by tho Irish nationalist
to effect the object desired, rs the field
OF operations included almost IN entire
circuit OF the globe; and tho obstacles to
be overcome Mt tue colony would have
been deemed insurmountablc, except by
men actuated by the highest purposes,
strengthened md emboldcned by irwin
ciblc courage. There wore eight pris.
oners to be rescued, two OF whom were
located in the great central stone prison
Of Frcemantlo, and tho others were dis
tributed among tho convicts engaged i'll
making the roads, hundreds OF miles
apart. A sufficient sum of money hay.
ing readily been riised, one OF tho best
and most trusted men OF the Irish M.
tional revolutionary party came to Dos
ton, and in about six months his plans
were completed. A ship was secured
and fitted out for whaling voyage un-
der commander New Bedford seaman,
whose nautical experience peculiarly
qualified him to execute plan with
which lie expressed n hearty sympathy
the moment it was mentioned. Messen-
gers were dispatched by steamer to
Australia and to other parts of the Brit
ISL dominion, to put themselves in
communication with tho prisoners.
The gentleman who was tho master
spirit Of the enterprise intended to go to
Australia himself, but it was thought
best for him not to do so, Ms he had been
confined in prison in England, and n
successful disguise would have been
next to impossible.
II was arranged that the vessel should
reach tho Australian coast ut certain
time and signal tho men on shore, and
the plan was 10 rescue the prisoners,
convey them across tho country and
have them all meet together on thoshore
Mt certain time to take passage on tho
vessel. Means were furnished for sup
plying each prisoner with horse, n suit
Of clothes and n revolver Immediately
after he escaped. Each individual cs.
cape had to BIO managed independently
of the others, aud each had its peculiar
difficulties to DO overcome. These plans
were NIL carried out and ready for execu.
ton some six months ago. 1t is under.
stood that many of tho British officers
in Australia can DO approached, and
that tho only question is often rs to the
"prico" OF rescue; hence the man-
ayers could readily secure certain Of
their min, though how many Tor wheth-
or any ut alD wero rescued in TINT way
will not be known until they arrive safe.
ly upon American soil, safo from arrest
by British officers and free to relate
their experiences in detail. The signal
which was agreed upon TINT the rescue
Ind been successful was the cutting Of
the cable, which it appears was done
about the twenty.seventh of April, be.
tween Java and Australia, mud which
served tho additional means OF prevent
ing pursuit. If the surmises Of those
familiar with the plans are correct tho
vessel ought to be nearing some part Of
the Pacific coast about this time, and
further intelligence will be awaited with
anxiety. Tho prisoners whose rescue
was so boldly planned wcro all humble
mon, private dragons III tho English
service, were sent to Australia in 1866
to be imprisoned for life, Ind were thus
punished by the English government.
If they are arrested before reaching this
country or some other safe point their
execution on the gallows will speedily
and assurcdly follow.