The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-07-13
BOLD RESCUE.
The FeHian Prisoners 10 Western Australia
Set Free. .-.f
N Y Herald 7th


me Fenian Prisoners IN Western Australia
Set Free. .-f
n. Y. Herald It'll.
A rumor which reached the city yes
terday evening, to the effect that all the
Fenian prisoners confined in western
Australia had escaped, created consider
able excitement among the Irish portion
Of the population, and much anxiety was
manifested to learn the details of the
affair.
At length, a gentleman was found who
is cognizant of the whole affair, and who,
though very reticent on the principal
points, was quite willing to communicate
certain facts which would, as he said,
"show Mr.. Disraeli the extent of the
mistake he had made in refusing to grant
an amnesty" The following is his state.
ment substantially:
The American public must be aware
that several humble members of the late
Fenian movement, mostly soldiers of the
British army, have been detained in
prison for the last ten years, although
the leaders have been long released.
They were tried by court martial for
mutiny, desertiOn, and other military
crimes, and all direct mention Of Feni-
gnism was scrupulOusly omitted from the
indictments, so that the unfortunate men
might fall in for none of the benefits of
an amnesty to political prisoners. They
were not recognized as political prisoners
at all. Petitions for their release have
been time and again sent to the British
government, thousands of people have
attended meetings to advocate amnesty,
and every possible effort has been made
TO procure their release, but all to no
purpose. Finally, tired of waiting, and
hopeless Of any good coming from appeals
to EngIand's mercy, some of the iris
oners' friends made up their minds TO
see what force could do, and commenced
TO organize for a rescue. 1t is now over
four years ago since lady in this city,
who is now dead and who was a devoted
friend of the prisoners, received letter
from one Of them, asking that something
might be done for them, and pointing
out the fact that rescue was possible.
The letter was, Of course, struggled out
of the prison. From this point regular
correspondence was started, and after
careful inquiry it WAS found that the
prisoners could all be rescued If money
enough could be got to defray necessary
expenses. How to get the money without
exposing the object was the problem to
be solved, and considerable difficulty was
experienced in procuring it. How the
money was raised, who subscribed it or
how 1t was applied, / am not prepared to
make public just now, but time viii
come when it can be done, and the facts
win rebound more to the credit Of the
Irish revolutionary party than anything
that has occurred for many years. Thou
sands Of men know Of the fact that an
attempt was to be made, though the de-
tails were known TO a very limited num-
ber--possibly fifteen at the outside. A
great deal had 70 be risked and many
personal sacrifices had to be made by
individuals, but finally the thing was got
into shape and over twelve months ago
gentleman eminently qualified to carry
out the enterprise started from here for
Australia and commenced operations.
It was a peculiarly difficult and delicate
task and required a man Of unusual
ability and tact to perform it. The
prisoners were often separated from each
other and scattered among gangs Of con-
victs through the bush, working at va
rious kinds Of employment, and were
liable to be changed at any moment to
another working party or sent to the
chief convict establishment at Fremantle.
1t was a very difficult matter to arrange
everything so that a simultaneous dash
might be made by all the prisoners, and
that they might all be safely conducted