The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-29
Young COunterfeiter Of Co.
lOnial Times.
How He Avoided Suffering
Under Sentence Imposed.
Burglars Alternative Sentence TO a
Period of Slavery.

Although tho builders OF century and
4 half ago did their work In very sub
stantial manner il does not appear that
they were able to make jail or goal as
II was then called that would always keep
in those who were sentenced to it. In
this particular modern methods seem TO
be better, for in these Gays 1t is rarely
indeed that prisoner succeeds ia get
ting through the mass of iron and store
that confines him. An early Gay Incl
dent in the Jail breaking liue OF which a
record Is still preserved was that OF Rob
ert Beveln. Bevelin was only eig hteen
years OF age and very enterprising crook
FOR his time. Ii he lived in these days he
would probably make name for himself
quite as notorious as that of Bi ockway or
any other OF the long list OF forgers and
counterfeiters who have proven SO
troublesome TO the government and to
banking institutions.
1t was away hack in 176l that Bevelin
fourisbed and his particular line OF GRIM
inal endeavor was counterfeiting. In
March of that year he was haled before
the Superior court then sitting in Provi-
dence on the charge of altering the law
ful money bills OF the colony from
email to a larger denomination. The PROOF
against him appears TO have been con-
elusive and convincing, for he was sent
enced to undergo the punishment then
metei out for such crime. This con-
sisted of ear cropping and branding.
The youthful criminal did not relish the
proposed loss of his auricular appendages
or the Disagreement OF his person by the
branding iron, for, while waiting the in
fiction of the punishment he decided to
take French leave and succeeded in break
ing jail.
This lack OF consideration on his part
caused Allen Brown, the sheriff, good
deal of perturbation OF mind, although 1t
did not move HIM to the Offering OF
very princely reward for the capture of
the fugitive. As soon as the sheriff learn
ed that Bevelin had escaped he forthwith
gave notice of the matter in the following
form: "Whereas, Robert Bevelin, prison
or in his sjesty's goal in Providence,
under the sentence'of imprisonment and
of being cropt ana branded, hath
by the assistance OF some evif-mfnded
persons, procured means to break gaol on
the night OF the 30th of March instant.
Said Bevelin Is youngster OF about
eighteen years OF age, of slim make,
has light complexion. wears his own
hair. land has served part OF an appren-
ticeship in the tailor's business. He had
on when he escaped, a light colored
straight-bod coat. black cloth breeches,
and wslstcoat. Whoever apprehends said
felon aud conveys him to any OF his
majesty's gaols In this colony or else
where, so that he may be brought to
Justice shall have TEN DOLLARS reward,
and all reasonable charges paid by me, I"
and then follows the signature OF Sheriff
Allen Brown. 1t does not appear, how
ever, that this tempting reward ever
secured the recapture % the gaol- breaker,
for the chronicles of the time make no
subsequent mention of Bevelin, the young
counterfe1ter who "wore his own HAIR"
A few days ago the Gossiper gave a
brief sketch Of the curious punishments
In vogue In the early Colonial days
Since then he has been asked IL Ii was
really fact IS then stated that convicted
criminals were sentenced to be sold into
slavery Tor a certain number of years.