Evening star., 1902-08-22
JERSEY PINE ROBBERS
CAVE OF EVOLUTIONARY BAN
DTS IN MONMOUTH COUNTY.
Crimes of Pagan and Fenton - How
They Met Deserved
Fate.

There was discovered near Colts Neck. a
little village in Monmouth county, n. J., not
long ago cave which was undoubtedly one
of the many hiding places of the revolu-
tionary banditti known throughout the
length and breadth of the state by the So
briquet Of Pine Robbers" They obtained
this appellation from the fact that they in
habited the dense pine forests, making their
rendezvous in caves. The mention of the
title was sufficient in the days of their dep
relations to make the stoutest adult heart
quail and toddling infants cling to their
mothers skirts for fancied safety Safety?
Indeed, within the circle of operations on
the part of these inf fIman and cruel brig
ands safety was a misnomer 1t is related
that in their day there was a reign Of ter
ror In Monmouth county, and those who re-
tired at night knew not whether they would
be murdered before morning"
Swing From Gallows.
So bold and strong in number were the
Pine Robbers" and so reckless of conse-
quences that once they took and held pos
session of Monmouth court house (now
Freehold. the county seaO for a period of
ten days. They were finally dislodged. A
number were captured and hanged no less
namenting the old gallows which stood only
a short distance from the town. DR. Sam
uel Forman. Washington's guide across the
state on that memorable campaign whose
elimination was the battle of Monmouth
assisted in erecting this galIows
The prince of the bandtti'' was one ia
cob Pagan. AS land pirate Pagan has
had few peers. His atrocities In their num-
Der and variety are something appalling to
contemplate. 1t is a satisfaction to know
tO nd hot
down like dog, meeting the fate his bru-
tality merited.
Denationalized Americans.
These pine Robbers were composed Of
denationalized Americans who had lost
their citizenship and rights under the con-
tinental government through open ad-
herence to the British flag They were
cruel and bloodthlrsty, and delighted in
numbering defenseless women and children.
and, for the reason that many families
were without a male protector in conse-
quence of the war, their opportunities for
indulging in their favorite pastime were
many. At dead of night these miscreants
would sally forth from their caves to plum
der, burn and kill. So numerous and auda-
cious had the robbers become that the state
government at length offered large rewards
for their destruction. They were hunted
and tracked and shot like wild beasts. until
were exterminated
Pagan and Fenton.
Pagan had woriny compatriot in one
Fenton, a blacksmith by trade. His record
was foul and bloody with many murders.
Perhaps the most diabolical of his numer-
Gus crimes with the killing of Thomas Farr,
in Upper Freehold township. Farr's family
included his wife and one daughter. In the
c,,x, .f I;-
tackled Fairs house at midnight. They fired
a volley through the front door, which had
been barricaded with logs, breaking Mr..
Fairs leg and wounding the daughter.
Forcing an entrance at the back of the
house. they trooped in. murdered Mrs. Farr
and beat her husband to death as he lay
helpless on the floor. The daughter. though
badly wounded, managed to escape, and
fearing she would alarm the minute men
the robbers, without waiting to satisfy their
desire for plunder, retreated to their cave
In the pines.
Retribution.
Several months later Fenton came to his
end. He and another of the robbers named
Burke, on their way to their cave one day,
came across young farmer named Van
Mater, homeward bound from the old Long
streth mill. The robbers brutally NAL
treated Van Mater and took the meal he
carried with him. Information of the affair
was CcliNSged 10 Lee Legion, Inen Std-
toned at Monmouth Court House. A plan
was arranged to entrap Fenton. A large
farm wagon with high sideboards was Sc
cured In the straw on the wagon bottom
were concealed two of Lees men. armed
with muskets. On the drivers seat sat Van
Mater and a third soldier. The latter was
in citizens dress. Knowing Fenton's weak
ness, jug of rum accompanied the party.
Arriving at Our House Tavern. fortune
favored them. Fenton, who had just given
the cook presumably the landlords wife)
the choice of hastily preparing his dinner or
taking beating. emerged, and, recognizing
Van Mater, demanded to know if he had
brought any liquor with him. The jug was
handed out. Placing one foot on the wagon
hub. Fenton swung the jug to his mouth.
At this moment one of the concealed SOL
diers. upon getting the prearranged signal,
raised his musket and shot Fenton through
the head, killing him instantly. Burke
who was waiting for Fenton at the old
mill not far away, took alarm from the
shot and fed. Fenton's body was placed in
the wagon and taken to Monmouth Court
House.