Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-10-16
Escape of John Boyle 0'Reilly.

The life, career and death of John Boyle
OReily, the Irish agitator poet and
journalist, were briefly noticed in this pa
per, AS then stated, at the time of his
death he was 46 years of age, having been
born at Dowth Castle, Ireland, June 2Sth.
1874
After completing his education, he COM
menced his journalistic life as type setter
and reporter on several English papers.
While thus employed in his youthful ar
dor he imbibed a revolutionary spirit, then
manifesting itself in the Irish heart every
where. Setting himself resolutely to do
what he could to aid the cause of his coun-
trymen, he rashly decided to enlist in the
British army and there labor to SOW the
seeds of revolution and learn the military
art Accordingly he attached himself to
the Fourth Hussars, the crack dragoon
regiment of the army. He was then but
10 years of age
Here for three years with his fellows,
he carried on his work without detection.
At last he was discovered and arrested
June eth, 1866, the last day of his 22nd
year. ON trial he was convicted on five
charges with four others, and sentenced to
be shot, but the sentence was commuted
first TO life Imprisonment, and later to
twenty years of penal servitude in the
colonies. In the month of November,
1867, with other convicts, he was sent to
Australia. On the long seq voyage the
monotony was relieved by the publication
of Il weekly paper on ship-b board to which
OReilly was liberal contributor. On ar
irving the C0nyiCts were scattered over
West Australia. The chances of escape
were few, so closely were the coasts guard
ed
From the time of landing he never Ceas-
ed to watch and plan for an opportunity
to regain his freedom. He was not sub
jected to hard labor with the road gangs,
but was placed in charge of the stones,
and did messenger service for the warden.
This frequently brought him to Bunbury "A
station on the coast frequently visited by
whaling and other vessels. His only CON
| tident was Father Patrick McCabe, Cath
Olic priest who promised to assist him,
| when the scheme was feasible. At the
station one day, a man told him that Faith
er McCabe had planned for his escape by
smuggling him on board an American
whale ship at Bunbury. The priests as
sistant was man by the name of Ma
guire. The plan was revealed to him in
December, but 1t was February before an
opportunity presented itself.
On the 18th of that month, he left his
hut to make his way to the shore. By the
assistance of friends this was accomplish
ed successfully For days he lay in the
swamp~ and in the bottoms of boats wait
ing for vessel that would take him on
board and to liberty. At length the
times We're propitous.
He was secretly transferred on board the
whaling bark Gazele of New Bedford,
Mass. Capt Clifford, master. After sew
eral escapes from recapture and six months
service as whaler, he made his way TO
Liverpool where, by the aid of the cap
tain, he reshipped for America
After spending a short time in Philadel-
phia and New York, he came to Boston,
and found employment on the Boston
Ptiot Thi. was in 1869, after three years
of wandering in Tasmanian wilds, and con-
Ccament on sea and land.
For twenty years past he has been the
editor Of the Pilot. and since 1876 a joint
proprietor. His genius made him the
friend of John q. Whittier the bard of
the Merrimac, Wendell Phillips and other
men famous in American literature. His
books, published from time to time, have
given him place in the hearts Of all
liberty loving people speaking the English
language His orations on different ocCas-
ions give evidence of the brilliancy of his
intellectual powers.
His life IN America was prosperous
He contribsrxat to the cause Of Ireland, but
never was permitted to visit the home of
his youth. In 1885, James Russell Lowell,
then Minister to the court OF st. James,
asked Of the English government permlS-
sion for him TO 10 80, but the request was
refused. His wife once visited Ireland,
and upon her We're bestowed the honors
which his countrymcn would gladly have
showered upon him
Mr., O'ReiIly'S funeral took place from
St Marys church in Bunker Hill District,
Boston, Wednesday, the 18th ult., and
was attended by great number of nota
Bile persons.