Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-17
AN ARMY OF TWO.

II one OF these little ones be lost!
AN ARMY OF TWO.
SUTUATE, MASS, April S,-The OBJ
SECURES of Miss Abigail Bates, fone of
the heroines of the war of 1872, were
held yesterday p. m. from her late re-
sidence, on Willow street. Rev. F. d.
Sargent, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, conducted the services. The
remains were incIosed coffin covered
with broadcloth, with heavy silver trim
mings. On silver plate was the in
seription:
ABIGAIL BATES.
Aged SO years months.
16 days.
There were were numerous foial tri-
butes. The remains were inferred in
Union Cemetery beside her sister, who
died December ID, 1881, in her eighty
ninth year. Her tombstone says that
''She lived beloved,
And died lamented.''
"a heroine of 1812.''
Miss Bates will be greatly missed by
the summer visitors, who always called
upon to hear her to relate the story of how
~she and her sister Rebecca prevented the
town being invaded by the British sail
Ors, and saved two schooners lying in
the harbor at the time, with cargoes of
-Four.
The story was in effect that about 9
O'Clock one morning a ship appeared. It
was British war ship. What would she
do? Would she tack about in the bay
to pick up strange coasters as prizes, or
would che land soldiers to burn the town?
In either case there would be trouble
encugh. Those were sad days in 1872.
The sight of o British war ship in Boston
Bay was not pleasant. We had no moni-
tor to fight the enemy. The good peo-
pie in the little village of Scituate Har-
Dor was in great distress over the strange
ship that had appeared at the mouth of
the harbor.
The town was great fishing place in
those days, and the harbor was full of
smacks and boats of all kinds. The
British soldiers could have easily entered
the harbor and burned up everything.
There were men enough to make good
fight, but they were poorly armed and
had nothing but fowling pieces and shot
gums. The tide was down during the
morning, so that there was no danger for
a few hours, and all the people went out
on the cliffs and beaches to watch the
great ship and see what would happen
next. .
On the end of the low, sandy spit
that forms one side of the harbor stood
the little white tower known as Scituate
light. In the house behind the light
house lived the keepers family, consist
ing of himself, wife and several boys and
girls. At the time the ship appeared the
keeper was away, and there was no one
at home save Mrs. Bates, the eldest
daughter, Rebecca, then about nineteen
years old, and Abigail, then about fifteen
years of age, and two of the little boys.
Rebecca had discovered the ship while
she was up in the lighthouse tower pol
fishing the rehectors. She at once de-
scended the steep stairs and sent the two
little boys of to the village to give the
alarm.
For an hour or two the ship tackled,
and stood off to sea, then tackled again,
and made for the shore. Men, women
and children watched the ship with anxi-
GUS interest. The tide turned, and be-
gan to flow into the harbor. The boats
aground and on the flats hoated, and
those in deep water were swimming
around their moorings. Now, the sol
diers would probably land. If the peo-
pie meant to save anything it was time
to be stirring. Boats we're hastily put
ing,out from the wharf, and such cloth
nets and other valuables as could be
handled were brought ashore, loaded in
TO hay carts, and carried away. 1t was
Of no use to resist. The soldiers, of
course, were armed, and if the people
made stand among the houses, that
would not prevent the enemy from de-
stroying the shipping in the harbor.
As the tide spread out over the sandy
fats, it filed the harbor, SO that, instead
OF q small channel, it became wide and
beautiful bay. The day was fine, and
there was gentle breeze ripping the
water and making it sparkle in the sun.
About 2 o'clock the tide reached high
water mark, and. to the dismay of the
people, the chip let 60 her anchors,
swung her yards around, and lay quiet
about half a mile from the first cliff.
They were going to land to burn the
town. With their spy glasses the peo-
ple could see the boats lowered to take
the soldiers ashore.
Then there was confusion and uproar.
Every horse in the village was put into
some kind of team, and the women and
children were hurried off to the woods
behind the town. The men would stay,
and offer as brave esistance as possible.
Their guns were light and poor, but
they could use the old fish-house as a
fort and perhaps, make brave fight of
il. If worse came to worse, they could
q. last retreat, and take the shelter of
the woods. It was splendid sight
five large boats manned by sailors, and
filed with soldiers in gay red coats
How their guns glittered IN the sun!
The oars all moved together in regular
order, and the officers in their fine uni
forms stood up to direct the expedition