The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-02-16

IAA1 htcNhAft ftihHNu
hntll he takes his stand next the river,
and looking out over the Wallabout, re-
ralls something OF the sad history con
nrcicd with this little bay and the mis-
cries suffered 10y our patriot aoldiers
during Washiugton's battles for a ma.
lions freedom.
Here, In October, 1870, was moored g
British prison ship, the Whitby, crowd
ed with Americsu patriot prisoners,
termed rebels by the English. Six
months later two other floating jails
joined the Whitby, aud within a year
both were burned. one In October, if7T,
the other In February. I77s.
Although no Trustworthy record Of
the facts In the case were kept, hun
drcds Of feeble and dying men are be-
lieyed 10 have perished in these ares.
Certain Il is that the one iE February
occurred In the night, whea the wealth
Sr was intensely cold, so that, II eifurts
were made ta save the prisoners. ru-
more than partial success was possible.
In April, IT'S. the Falmouth, the
Hope aud the "infamously famous old
Jersey" were anchored In the Wala.
bout and filled with captiyes from the
American armies. The severity Of their
confinement was such that more than
1900 are believed 10 have died OF cold.
starvation and malignant diseases.
The adjacent hillsidrs, now graded
down and included In the clty Of BrcS..,.
Iyu, became a vast cemetery where
these brave patriots were hastily piled
into ,ha,low "rnyeS and slightly GOV.
cred with earth. In Is1s a tomb was
built to their memory, and great
quantity of their bleached bones were
collected and Inferred within Il, with
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"
II Is not surprising that among such
a host Of llberty-loygng prisoners there
should have been some who made bold
attempts at escape. Not many were
successful, yet by fearful risks and
hardships few cluded their keepers,
reached home and friends. and after
shor, rest, again joined the patriot
forces In the field, OF these escapes, one
Of the boldeEt was led by young c9n-
necticut captain, Abel Beman, a cousin
OF Nathan Beman, of Vermont, the boy
who guided Col. Ethan Allen !nto Fort
Ticonderoga when be captured II from
the British.
Although Abel Beman vas a very
small man he seemed 10 eondense In his
little frame the wcll-known strength
and endurance Of hiS almost glgantie
kinAman, which, combined with lndom.
table courage and will, was no doubt
the reason for his selection as captain
Ia the colonial army. But the qualities
OF the man were not on the surface.
for al Is be was as beardleSs and boyish
a. lad Of iG, and among bis friends
was often called Boy BeIaan."
By some misfortune OF war he and his
company were captured HHd impris-
oned on the Whiiby Va the Wallis bout.
Here he bided his time, and for many
months watched for an opportunity
to escape.
Meanwhile he played before the
guards the role OF harmless, duh.
wittcd fellow, and ais large hazel eyes,
smooth fa.e aud simple manners gained
for him many favora sternly refused to
other prisoners. lie was freely allowed
10 every part Of the ship. and often as
sisted the guards 10 various ways and
even handled their guna sna accoutre-
ments with Innocent familiarity.
Thus ingrstiating himself into their
confidence. ne readily became eoHyer-
SAINT with the details u his prison and
the methods Of the oificeTA. and shrewd-
Iy stndied the temper and efficiency Of
each with view TO discovering way
to freedom.
A score Of plans suggested them
selves, but the circumstances surround
ing him wsrs desperate and forbidding.
Three soldiers with loaded mnSkets
stood at each end OF ihe shlp. and q row
ef them linea the rail on either side.
Around the shorsz Of the bay stretched
= Gordon Of pleketa. while several frig-
ates were mourea in the river, and bris-
tied wish shosteG cannon ready 10 bel
low away 81 any moment Hut for tbs
vast magnisuGs OF these difficulties be
would have liberated all The prisoners
~. ". s.:-s Whithy. ever a ;h1sssEd In rum.
b~r Indeed, uns snagniteent afiemps
was made. but failed.
Oa dark night The EHar6s wer~
osercome ana censinsd besnw decks
without shot or az cutlery. then the
anchors were Iifisd snd thf ship was al:
swsd y drift. 10 ahs bcps shsl shs
M AF