The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-31
THE CATS LAST VICTIM.
Peter Featherstone's Career -An English
Convict in the American Navy.

He was one of that large class who are criminal
by instinct, by inheritance, and by requirement.
Born OF criminal parents he soon took to the
streets of London. and by the time he was off his
mothers knee he had been imprisoned and logged
for theft.
Before he was % years old he had served five
terms IN prison; he had been transported to Van
Diemens Land and had there suffered, more be-
cause OF his good qualities than his bad Ones the
horrors of the absolute despotism of martial laws
governing criminal community.
In 1851 he set foot upon the docks of New
York, free man for the first time since his boy
hood The innumanities of society's laws had
embittered his mind against society. Still, wish
ing to be honest he enlisted as a common sea-
man in the United States navy
The United States war vessel North Carolina
was then anchored at the Brooklyn hayward.
having been converted into a receiving ship
Peter Featherstone was placed aboard of her.
and there he entered upon his first attempt at
reform. He had some experience as sailor
was strong. brave and willing. and soon gained
the favor of Lieutenant Enshaw and the boat
swain.
Glittering opportunities to return to crime
always present themselves to the reformer, and
Peter Featherstone was not exempt. He had
as 'clever boxer" and hard hitter" Among
his old time friends there was John McGraw, at
one time lightweight pugilstic champion OF
England McGraw had come to New York and
opened "free-an easy" at So Division street.
which he had called the 'Old House at Home"
BY some chance he learned that Peter Feather
erstone was aboard the North Carolina. Know
ing him to be valuable adjunct to a boxing
resort he planned Peters escape from the YES
sci, and after some correspondence the sailor
yielded to the promises of gay life.
Among the other visitors to the North Caro-
lima. one afternoon, was a tailor By arrange
ment, he met Peter Featherstone between decks,
and secretly measured him for a suit of clothes.
A week later another visitor smuggled aboard
the vessel package. which Peter Featherstone
received 1t contained suit of clothes of fash
ionable make, silk hat, pair of fine boots.
white shirt, silk necktie, and "a large handker-
chief
In the afternoon on the same day, New York
swell paraded the deck of the North Carolina,
and mingled with the visitors. One of his eyes
was evidently sore for whenever sailor APP
preached him he bowed his head, and pressed
his handkerchief to the side of his face Shortly
after he appeared on deck party of visitors left
the vessel and among them was the dapper gen
tleman with the sore eye. As ne descended the
stairs on the vessels side, and was nearing the
small boat below, sailor deck hurriedly ap-
preached Lieutenant EnshaW, who was looking
over the side.
do you see tnaG man with the SILK naG!' In
quired the sailor, pointing below.
Yes"
"Well, he's messmate of mine and belongs
to this boat HIS name is Peter Featherstone
Haiti cried the officer. Every member OF
the party descending the stairs stopped and
looked up except the young man in the silk hat.
ut is true, muttered the officer
Bring back that man with the handkerchief
in his hand" ordered the lieutenant.
The young man climbed to the deck, looking
cool and defiant.
''You are Peter Featherstone, and belong to
this vessel" said the lieutenant.
At am not, was the bold response.
The unusual scene attracted Commodore"
Wilson, chief officer of the boat He COM
mander of squadron, and carried his title of
listing then in the United States navy. He was
an efficient officer. but passionate, and had been
dubbed Bully" Wilson by the sailors.
who is this mans" he asked.
HE is suspected of being sailor attempting
escape." replied the lieutenant, looking curiously
at the detians face before him, which he recog
nized
Call the roll" ordered the Commodore.
In moment the long roll Of the drums was
heard, and 600 sailors poured out of the vessel
upon the upper deck They formed themselves
around the vessels sides in regular lines
The call of the roll brought response to every
name but one When ''Peter Featherstone'
was called no voice said 'Herew
Il W
waiting for his defense He stood in the center
of the deck, his arms folded, still erect and de-
faint. He saw that he was trapped, and his only
desire was for revenge.
WHO is the man who reported me9" he asked,
quietly.
John Simmons" called the lieutenant
]. SAY, ay, sir" replied a young sailor, stepping
forward in front of mast and saluting.
Featherstone approached him.
do you say my name is Peter FeatherstoneP
II do"
.'Well, take that, you;' and, with the quick
ness of the skilled pugilist Featherstone struck
his messmate three times in the face. The sail
ors head struck an iron band around the mast.
and he fell senseless to the deck. AS he fell,
Featherstone kicked viciously at his head. but in
an instant the offender was seized by the master
of arms and two marines.
Put him in irons,' yelled Bully" Wilson.
an fog the life out of him."
The struggling sailor was manacled hand and
foot and thrown into that iron barred cage be-
tween the lower decks which the sailors call
''the run" Hero ne was guarded as is MUIR
derer during his last hours A sentry, like
death watch, paced continually before the cage.
Day by day the sailor awoke to anticipate his
impending punishment, but it did not come. He
grew restless and impatient of restraint as the
days passed He longed for the mental relief
which would follow his punishment He did
not dread the physical pain His back had felt
the LASH
lie ala not know that Cnoro was CnoH peDQlng
in the Congress of the United States a bill for
law to save him from the whip He did not
know that he was being kept by his commander
to bs offered up as the last sacrifice the altar
of the cato ninetails" in the event of that in
strument of torture being abolished from the
navy.
One morning. nine weeks after Peter Feather
stone had struck his messmate on the deck, he
was aroused by the guards and told that he was
to be fogged. His irons were removed and he
walked quickly to the third deck. The entire
crew of the North Carolina had been summoned
to witness the fogging. The marines presented
fixed bayonets. Commodore Wilson and the
boatswain, armed with the scat" stood near a
gun carriage, which formed the whipping stocks.
Peter Featherstone was we'll acquainted with
the method of fiogging sailors on board ship
He walked to the gun carriage, and, with quick
motion pulled his blue shirt over his head. He
threw it at the feet of the officer and exclaimed:
Now I'm ready"
mot 80 fast!' Numbered the Commodore
"Wait till you get orders. Put on your shirt"
Tho sailor ohnvad Than tha 0ffipar road from