The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-03-12
ESCAPED.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

New Jersey, as we'll as new York, was
originally settled by colonists from Hol-
land, and although the English at one
time got possession of the territory, the
Dutch regained it and held it, under the
name Of Achter Kos, until 1878.
Among the early emigrants from Hol-
land was family by the name of Koven,
hoven, who took up lands in what is now
Monmouth county, near the present vii
lage of Eatontown. Their descendants.
under the anglicized name of Conover,
live in the same regions to this day.
In 1777-7S this family had a farm on
the ocean shore, probably within the
present limits of Long Branch. At that
time the men folks were all away with
the Continental army, under Gen. Wash
ington.
The family left at home consisted of
the mother, daughter of eighteen or
twenty years, son of sixteen years, and
another of ten. These contrived to sup
port themselves on the farm and also to
contribute literally 10 the Continental
cause.
: Notwithstanding the defenceless con-
dition of the place, with the enemy in
possession of the country, the Kovenhov-
line of secret communication kept up
between the parties of New York and
the East, and their friends beyond the
Delaware.
The elder of the Kovenhoven boys,
though only growing lad, was a trusted
messenger in this grapevine" postal ser:
vice, and by his skill and daring in work
ing through the British lines, had al
ready won the name of Katie Kovenhov-
en-, or, as we would now say, Cool Como
yer.
Early in the simmer of TITS, when
Gen. Clinton was preparing to abandon
the line of the Delaware and fall back on
the Hudson river, body of Hessian
troops was sent through the Jerseys to
open the way to Sandy Hook, where the
army was to embark for New York.
TIE Hessians harried the country to
some extent, toraging as they advanced.
and making special eholts to break W
the secret postal service known to be
maintained in spite of their utmost vigi
lance.
The line was kept running at that tim,
as may readily be supposed, with re
doubled activity, and the messengers
their dispatches through.
The service was all the harder as the
activity OF the enemy forced them to seek
round ways, and travel long dis.
tances. The route was turned dowr
through the pines, an unbroken wilder.
ness, extending, at that time, nearly
across the South Jerseys.
One night in June young Conover re-
turned home from trip into the pines
weary and worn. He had ridden many
long mile through the soft sands of thu
forest without daring to wait for rest o.
refreshment.
Stopping at the bars and turning hi
tired mare into the salt meadow, ht
shouldered the saddle and carried it III
to the barn.
He had au important dispatch will
him. fastened under his arm in a water
proof cover. Worn out with hard riding
from early morning till after midnight
and with the constant strain of anxiou
Watchfulness, he felt relieved and thank
full to get home in safety.
Sitting down on a heap of straw, h
took off his heavy riding-boots, and un
buttoned his shirt to remove the preciou
package, and then in an instant, tn
reaction from over exertion conquere,
him.. and he dropped into deep sleep.
He slept heavily until the first beam
Of daylight began to slime through, tn
cracks in the barn. Then he was SUD
denly awakened by tremendous thumr
ing close by him.
As he sprang up the butt of muske
broke throug n the door, and instinctivel
the boy realized that for once he ha
been caught mapping.
1t was his way to face danger when
could not avoid it; so he sprang to Il
door, feeling for his package and fndin
it safe under his arm at the same M
ment.
Six men stood outside, and in the di,
morning light he recognized them as
detail from a detachment of Hessial
whom he had been lodging all the pr
vious afternoon.
They addressed him roughly, and OF
Of them, in broken English, commando
him to find forage for their horses. Gun
yunker," he added, s'1ouse der hau
and get right away breakfast"
The boy brought out hay and grain
abundance for the horses, and then l,
the way to the house. His sister Kat
was already astir, and Immediately COZ
pretending the situation, she set abo
preparing good breakfast, without al
fuss or hesitation.
The meal passed off quietly, the fami
keeping in the background as much
possible, and the troopers showing
disposition to make trouble.
The corporal in charge of the deta
after partaking most heartily of the go
things that filled the table, seemed
clined to be quite friendly.
"Und what your name ist, mien kindt
be said to his hostess. ri
skate, sir, replied the girl. w.
IVA, vol Katrina. Du Dist liel
madchen-goot girl. Und der brude1
my brother9 His name is Ned
Edward, mean"
so, Etouart, va! Und der fader, :.
ist?"
At this moment "Etouart" came to
door leading the corporals horse. II
watered him, he sale, "and rubbed b
down as we'll as could in hurry"