The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-02
4 RIYAL no PAUL REVERE.

The Midnight Ride of william Dawes,
Who Reused the Patriots Oh the
Same Occasion.
The first patriotic event of Patriots
address, said
Poetry has so adorned with its at
tractive charm the ride of Paul Revere
that to the average mind Revere was
the only man who had anything to do
with warning the people at the time of
the expedition of the British from Bos-
ton on the night of April Is, Its.
las matter of fact, however, Revere,
| although one of the leaders, was at the
same time only a spoke in the wheel, and
though from Longfelow's poem even the
child can learn with interest of the poet
ic details of Revere's ride, yet the SINH
lar ride of William Dawes. of just as
much value to the community, has not
been made famous or heralded abroad as
a daring deed.
| "Longfellow has assumed with poetic
| license to place Revere in different towns
hour by hour, and at the outset he is APP
parently standing on the Charlestown
shore waiting for the signal from the old
North belfry. The rides of Paul Revere
and William Dawes were practically
simultaneous as regards the start from
| the town Of Boston
1.-The facts which led up to the ride
were these: 1t had been known for
some time previous to April 10 that the
British were preparing to make move
| ment, with the probable destination at
Concord, as munitions of war were be-
ing gathered there, and Hancock, Ad-
ans and other Revolutionary leaders
were in that tow-l and vicinity.
Joseph Warren, who had remained at
Boston, had arranged certain details as
to notification from inside the town.
Revere's own narrative states that it
had been agreed with a Colonel Conant
and some other gentlemen in Charles
town that if the British army went out
by water two lanterns should be shown
in the North church steeple, and if by
land one, as signal for we We're appre-
hensive it would be difficult to cross over
Charles river or get over Boston Neck
warren waited until the British
troops had actually begun to move to
their boats, and then he started William
Dawes out by land route from Boston
Neck and thence across Brighton Bridge
for Concord and Lexington, and direct
ly after-about ten o'clock he sent Re
we're by water to Charlestown, thence to
Lexington across the country, to ac-
quaint Hancock and Adams of the
movement, and arouse the country
Revere Immediately called upon Cap
tain John Pulling and desired him to
make the signal at once IN the North
church steeple. Richard Devens and
Colonel Conant, who were on the
Charlestown shore, saw the signal and
sent messenger at once to warn Han
cock and Adams. E
"Revere then went across to Charles
town in boat. and, joined by Devens,
started on his mission. He got to Par
son Clarks at Lexington, where he
found Hancock and Adams, about mid
night, and in the course of half an hour
he was Joined by Dawes After some
refreshments they rode on to Concord
and were Joined by DR.. Prescott, but,
near Hartwell's Tavern In lower Lincoln,
became separated, and Revere was at
terward captured
civilian Dawes was of old Puritan
stock The first William Dawes was a
mason by trade, and settled in Braintree
in 1885, and afterward moved to Boston,
and his house on Sudbury street was
pulled down in 1775 after five genera
lions had successfully lived in 1t.
'"The William Dawes in whom we are
interested was born on April 6, 1745, and |
lived on Ann street. He learned the
trade of tanner, and his yard was at
the corner of Sudbury and Friend |
streets.
He was married in 1853 and became |
a major in the Ancient and Honorable |
Artillery company. In 1775 he was the |
leader of those who saved the two small |
field pieces Of the Ancient and Honora-
BILE Artillery company from capture by
General Gage.
when Boston became unsafe from
siege he moved his family to Worcester,
and after the seat Of war was moved
from New England was appointed COM
by congress at Worcester. He
died February 25, 1899, and was de-
scribed in the language of that day as a
very fearless and brave man who never
shrank from any post of duty
'"The Sons of the Revolution. believ-
ing that Major Dawes services We're
worthy of the aims of the society, there
fore place this enduring memorial of the
work of so stanch a patriot. In this
they have received the cooperation Of
the granddaughter of William Dawes,
Miss Julia Goddard Of Brookline, whom
| am pleased to see present.
eve transfer, however, to the custo-
ly of the city of Boston this tablet, and
trust that it may stimulate our descend
ants to equally noble and brave deeds
should occasion ever arise."-Boston
Herald.
VACATION SCHOOLS.