Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-05

which she has widened the gulf of reconciliation between herself and Ireland. never again to be hedged over while Irish patriotism lasts. The beginning of the year of 1867 marked an era in the history of Ireland which will not be soon forgotten. It held out to a long suffering people, the hope or a brighter future, and filled their hearts with gladness.
 Although accustomed to many bit ter diSappointmentS. they nevertheless had the fullest confidence in the move ment of '67 under the thoroughly equipped and splendidly disciplined organization of the Fenian Brother hood. of which James Stephens was the chosen head center. Another thing which tended to strengthen the confi- dence of the Irish people in q successful contest with England at that time, was, that their organization was officered by the abiest military leaders, whose practical experience was obtained during four years ser vice in the greatest civil war known to modern times. James Stephens pro- claimed on every platform from which he spoke in this country that the long looked for opportunity was at hand
 and pledged himself to inaugurate the revolution in Ireland before the f''-
 of January of the ensuing year. His rash and indiscreet statements raised
 false hopes in the breasts of his coun- trymen and put the enemy on guard against his publicly expressed plans.
 Stephens failed to fulfill his pledges and was. accordingly. depOsed by the organization. Two of his most trust
 worthy advisers. Colonel Kelly and
 Captain Daisy. were then in Ireland
 and had arrangements nearly cOmplet- ed for the rising. Tine failure of Ste phens to begin hostilitieS as agreed up- on placed those leaders in a most haZ-
 ardoIs position: besides. they felt themselves outraged and humiliated by
 his conduct and believed it due to their honor. and to their country. to take up the sword which they believed Ste phens had. through cowardice. let fall from his hands. Kelly was according ]y elected to succeed Stephens as cen tral organizer of the Fenian Brother hood. and it was decided to begin the conflict on the 5th of March following. The story of the failure of this unfor- tunate movement is known to every reader of Irish history: suffice it to say that it plunged the Irish nation
 into the deepest hopelesSnesS. to which were added all the horrors of British vengeance and hatred. The jails were filled with the bravest and brightest men of our race. while in famous coercion acts dashed the unfor- tunate people with scorpions. Kelly and Daisy succeeded for about six months to avoid arrest, but were final ly apprehended at Manchester, Eng land The arrest of these leaders was the signal for great rejoicing in gov ernment circles. for to this end the ingenuity of Scotland yard had been exhausted ill vain. The British gov ernment knew of their position in the Brotherhood. and were confident that their capture would demoraliZe and dishearten their followers. On the other hand. the friends of the Brother hood saw the death blow aimed at their organization and few resolute and daring spirits resolved upon their res cue from the enemies cl,Nches. On the 18th of September. Kelly and his companion were brought into the po- lice court for hearing. after which they were remanded by the magistrate to the county jail to await trial. The distance from the courthouse to the county jail was about two miles. The prisoners were locked in separate com partmentS in a vehicle called a van, used for the purpose of conveying priS- oners. and in view of the great i'm portance of insuring the safe delivery of the distinguished prisoners behind British bars, the greatest precautions were taken to guard them. A score of mounted police surrounded the van in which the prisoners were confined.
 One officer sat on the box with the driver. while another one was locked
 up in tE1 van with the prisoners where he would have an opportunity to watch them continually. When about half way to the courthouse. the driver was mortified to see a man emerge from the roadside, who very cOOlly pointed a revolver at his head and commanded him to pull up." He became thor oughly frightened, dropped the reins and rolled off the box into the road way. In a twinkling the officer who sat by his side grasped the reins and attempted to drive over the resolute stranger who blocked his way. but a
 we'll directed bullet felled one of the horses lifeless in his harness. In less l time than it takes to relate it about thirty armed men sprang from the
 roadside and fired a volley over the heads of the escort, with such good eff feet that the entire guard became pan bic stricken and took to their heels in i right royal fashion. leaving the rescu- ing party, for such they proved to be. masters of the situation. Like a flash they sprang to the side of the van and demanded the keys of the door of Sergeant Brett. the officer who sat inside with the prisoners. Upon his
 refusal to give them up one Of the par ty fired a bullet into the lock with q view of breaking it. The bullet glanced off accidentally and lodged in the temple of the sergeant. One of the female prisoners who was in the van handed out the keys. which she
 distracted from the pocket of the un- conscious police officer. The next in stant Kelly and Daisy were free men, but by this time the guard having par