The Irish standard., 1901-05-11
They Chased and Captured the Margaretta,
Very Cowardly British
Sloop of War.
Jeremiah Distinguished Himself for His
Bravery and Was Madea
Bold Captain.
Jeremiah

Many of the sober residents Of the
little town of Machias shook their
heads as the tall figure Of Dennis
O'Brien passed down the solitary
street Of the Maine settlement. The
spirit of war had spread its wings over
the place, and O'Brien was chiefly re-
sponsible for it, writes nj. ]. Murphy
in the Buffalo Union and Times.
Two days previous, on Saturday,
May 8, 1916, the first news of the bat
tie of Concord had reached the place.
A fishing vessel returning from Bos-
ton, the only means of communication
in those days had brought the news,
and thus it was, nearly n month after
the occurrence, Machias heard the ac-
count of the battle. 1t was II story
that caused the blood to course like
fire through the veins Of the hardy
wo0dsmen and fishers, and the we'll
defined hatred of the English and their
misrulc assumed still more bitter
shape Little knots Of men gathered
here and there throughout the village
and discussed the event with clcnched
hands and set faces.
1,,.r1 Ia,
ing, and Captain Moore, of His Majes-
tvs sloop of war, the Mmgaretta, de-
termined to attend church in Skhe vii
lage. His vessel rode ut anchor n short
distance from the shore and was wait
ing for the loading Of two mast-slips,
sloops which were to bring tall pines
to Boston, for use in the royal navy,
conveyed by the Margarctta. Not sus-
pecting any danger, Moore went to
church unattended by any of his ofli-
GERS or men. Resplendent in full dress
uniform, for Moore was bit Of Il
dandy. he spread himself over his seat
and listened to the sermon. In the
midst of the service petty officer hur-
ricdly entered the building and. reach
ing the officers side, whispered in his
ear. Moore jumped to his feet with
an expression which startled and
shocked his -worshippers.
"To the window, quick, sir" urged
the officer.
Moore hcsitated moment, then
sprlnging toward low window at the
side of the church, climbed out in a
manner unbccoming the dignity Of an
officer of the royal navy, followed in
stantly by his Junior officer. An up
roar and sound Of angry voices at the
front door, as we'll as the action of the
officers, caused the congregation to
gaze at each other in CONSERVATION.
Women sank back fainting with fright
and the men rushed toward the door,
only to be met by a crowd of men
carrying weapons and headed by Den
mis- O'Brien, Daredevil Dennis" as
he was more euphoniously than ele-
gantly called by the townspeople.
"Where is the English captain?" de-
mandcd Dennis.
"You will find him off there" replied
one Of the congregation, pointing to
the window as he spoke.
"Aftcr him, boys! Don't let him
reach the shipw cried Dennis, leaping
like panther to the window, out of
which he vaultcd with all the case
and grace of an athlete. Some Of the
men rushed out Of the front door of
the edif1ce and the others followed
Dennis through the window. The
chase was fruitless one, however,
for the fugitives had good start and
were good sprlntcrs. When the pur-
suers reached the shore, the boat con-
tanning Moore and his men was al
ready some hundred feet out and un-
der cover Of the sloop's guns.
Hastily boarding his vessel, Moore
raised his anchor, and, bringing the
Margaretta broadside to the town, fired
several shots over the houses to intim-
idate the inhabitans. Spirits like those
of young O,Brien were not so easily
intimidated, however, and Us the ves-
sci dropped down the stream they &C.