Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-02-17

rand accomplished
hntil he takes his stand next the river,
and looking out over the Waliabout, re-
calls something of the sad history con-
nected with this little bay and the mis-
cries suffered by our patriot soldiers
during Washington's battles for ma
tons freedom.
Here, in October, 1776, was moored
British prison ship, the Whitby, crowd
ed with American patriot prisoners,
termed rebels by the English. Six
months later two other floating jails
joined the Whitby, and within year
both were burned, one in October, 1777,
the other in February, 177s.
Although n9 trustworthy record of
the facts in the case were kept. hun
dreds of feeble and dying men are be-
lieved to have persisted in these fires.
Certain it is thai the one in February
occurred in the night. when the wealth
er was intensely cold, so that, if efforts
were made to save the prisoners, no
more than partial success was possible.
In April, 177S, the Falmouth, the
Hope and the Sin tamously famous old
Jersey" were anchored in the Walla-
bout and filled with captives from the
American armies. The severity of their
confinement was such that more than
1000 are believed to have died of cold,
starvation and malignantdiseases.
The adjacent hillsides, now graded
down and included in the city of Brook
Ign, became vast cemetery where
these brave patriots were hastily piled
into shallow graves and slightly COW
cred with earth. In 1908 tomb was
built to their memory, and a great
quantity of their bleached bones were
collected and inferred within it, wit tn
solemn ceremonies, in the presence of
vast throngs of people. Over the door
TO this structure was inscribed:
Portal to the Tomb OF Patriot Pris-
oners who died in prison ships during
the Revolution"
1t is not surprising that among such
o host of liberty-loving prisoners there
should have been some who made bold
attempts at escape. Not many We're
successful, yet by fearful risks and
hardships q few eluded their keepers
reached home and friends, and after
a short rest. again joined the patriot
forces in the field. Of these escapes. one
of the boldest was led by young Con-
necticut captain, Abel Beman, cousin
of Nathan Beman. of Vermont. the boy
who guided Col. Ethan Allen into Fort
Ticonderoga when he captured it from
the British.
Although Abel Beman was a very
small man he seemed to condense in hi.
little frame the well-known strength
and endurance of his almost gigantic
kinsman, which, combined with indom
liable courage and will, was no doub'
the reason for his selection as captain
In the colonial army. But the qualities
of the man were not on the surface
for at 25 he was as beardless and boyisi
as lad of >16, and among his friends
was often called boy Beman"
BY some misfortune of war he and hi:
company were captured and impris-
oned on the Whitby in the Wallabout
Here he bided his time, and for many
months watched for an opportunity
to escape.
Meanwhile he played before the
guards the role of a harmless, dull
witt0d fellow, and his large hazel eyes
smooth face and simple manners gained
for him many favors sternly refused Il
other prisoners. He was freely allowed
IN every part of the ship. and often as
sisted the guards in various ways and
even handled their guns and accoutre
ments with innocent familiarity.
Thus ingratiating himself into theil
confidence. he readily became CONVEX
SAINT with the details CT his prison an,
the methods of the officers. and shrewd
: 81 studied the temper and efficiency O
each with view to discovering wa,
10 freedom.
A score of plans suggested them
selves. bat the circumstances surround
ing him were desperate and forbidding
Three soldiers with loaded muslset