Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-08
CATALPA'S CAPTAIN.
Efforts Being Made to Give Him
 Suitable Testimonial.


 A pamphlet is being sent out from Waterbury all over the state with a view to raising funds for the pur- pose of making suitable testi- monial to Captain George S. Anthony of New Bedford, of the good ship Catalpa, on which six political pris- oners were brought to this country from western Australia. The front page contains a cut of the captain and the rest of the pamphlet is de- voted to the object in view. It reads as follows:
 The undersigned committee, pur- suant to the proposition advanced at the Patrick Sarstield club celebration of Emmet's birthday on March 2, in this city, have undertaken to bring to the attention of Irishmen and sympathiZerS with the Irish cause the matter of a suitable testimonial to Captain George s. Anthony of New Bedford, through whose daring six Irish political prisoners were res cued from Australia over thirty years ago. It is the purpose of the committee to raise an amount of money sufficient to remove the mort gage on this brave mans house and so express, even though inadequate ly, the gratitude of the Irish people for his act of heroic self-sacritic.e
 Captain Anthony was commis- stoned by certain distinguished Irish patriots to undertake this perilous task of rescue and after eighteen months of hazardous adventure in Australian waters the prisoners were smuggled on board the Catalpa and brought to America; not, however, until after Captain Anthony had flung the Stars and Stripes in the face of British man-of-war who dared its commander to fire. For his splendid deed of daring Captain Anthony received $1,000 in stock of the vessel Catalpa, which, however, never netted him a single dollar. In addition to the pecuniary sacrifice thus involved Captain Anthony was forced to give up his business of whaling in British waters and finally to abandon it altogether as result of his activity in the Irish cause. It is to make Captain Anthouy's worth less stock in the Catalpa good and to pay in a measure a third of a cen turys debt of Irish gratitude that the movement herein outlined is in- augurated
 It is proposed to invite Irishmen and sympathizers with Ireland's cause to subscribe to fund for this purpose. A handsome engraving which you can frame and hang in your parlor showing a picture of Captain Anthony and the good ship Catalpa will be presented to each 1 contributor. A roll of honor con- taining the names of subscribers to | the fund will be presented to Cap tain Anthony in connection with the | testimonial. The hero of the Catal- | pa is now an old man working for a | small daily wage in New Bedford, | and it would be cheering proof to i him in his declining years that the | Irish people do not easily forget | those of alien blood who risk life and | fortune in the work of serving Ire land. .. ar .@
 We feel that the spirits of the de- parted Irishmen who were unable | themselves appeal to us, the men of | this generation, to pay this debt of l honor. Will you be one to nelp | make it good?
 This letter is sent to you as one of 100 men who We think would like to contribute a minimum amount of $10 to this roll of honor. Please send remittance to John J. Splain, treasurer, postoiice box 1910, Waterbury, Conn.
 JOHN J. SPLAIN,
 THOMAS H. HAYES,
 JOHN MORIARTY,
 Committee.
 Waterbury. Conn, April :, 1908.