Evening journal., 1905-06-12
RICHARD KANE AN
UNCR0WNED HERO
His Ride From Lower Della
ware Was Greater Than
Paul Revere's
"THE BRITISH SHIPS ARE COMING"

Literature abounds In heroic eQues-
trian episode in which vivacious mar
rative immortalizes man and horse,
but singularly enough, one of the noted
rides in history, in which Philadelphia
was the objective point has escaped
the notice of the poets and been ig-
nored by almost all American histor-
ians, says a Chester, Pa, writer. Dick
Turpin's ride to York. the journey Of
John Gilpin, the ride Of Paul Revere,
Browning's story, How the Good
News Was Brought From Client to
Ak" Mazeppa, Lochinvar, Lady Co
diva, Kit Carson, General Phil Sheri-
dan-all have their place in history,
but hero of the American Revolu-
ton has been ignored and his exploit
unsung. This man was Richard Kane.
The theatre OF war was not transfer
red from New England to pennsyl-
vania soil until the year 1877. But the
march of CORVALLIS toward the Bran
dywine filled all the territory from
Cape Henlopen on the Delaware river
ana bay with the rumor of the coming
British fleet. Philadelphia was thrown
into turmoil Of excitement and hur-
ried preparation. Day and night Off
GERS labored. gathering ships from
Chester, Marcus Hook and other
points.
Far down the Delaware peninsula.
with glasses turned toward the sea,
men and women watched for the COM
ing of the hostile ships. out on the
bosom of the bay fishing smacks tel
egraphed by the wireless system OF
that day the appearance Of two Eng
lish frigates bound i'm. Hastily sad
ding his horse, Kane sprang into the
saddle and dashed out of sight on a
memorable ride for Philadelphia to
carry the news.
Along the lonely roads, across
streams. skirting the swamp lands and
through the sandy stretches rode the
messenger. He had but one message.
and as he galloped through the villages
he shouted: "The British ships are
coming!" A brief stop for rest was
made at Wilmington, then he urged his
horse northward
At Chester the thunder Of his horses
hoofs over the wooden drawbridge
startled the villagers. who were sum-
moned into council a few minutes later
by the noisy changing of the court
house bell. While his horse was be-
ing fed Kane told the news and haran-
gued the people. one of the ships of
the newly organized fleet lay at anchor
at the foot of Market street taking on
stores, and at once Captain Heacock
hosted sail and stood up the river to
Philadelphia.
After 20 minutes stay in Chester
Kane disappeared up the Kings high
way in a cloud of dust and headed full
speed for Philadelphia. Through am
cient Leiperville, into Darby, on to the
Blue Bell the weary but determined
courier bore the news Bending full
weight 10 the rope the ferryman pulled
the bold rider to the east bank of the
.Schuylkill. and an hour later the al
most exhausted horse was reined in at
the state House-Kane had brought
the news of the approach of the Brit
ish double the distance traversed by
Paul Revere.
The sequel is told by the historian
with all due attention to detail. how
the American fleet boldly went down
the river to meet the enemy, and how
the men behind the guns that summer
day in 1777 put the British frigates to
flight i'm the battle off New Castle;
but there would have been nothing to
stop the progress of the hostile ships
to the city had it not been for the he
roc ride Of his American hero from
Delaware to the city Of Philadelphia.
Yet Richard Kane sleeps in an un-
marked grave and chroniclers have
been almost silent on his exploit
though Revere. Lochinvar, Carson and
Sheridan are household names.