Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-23
NATIONAL TRIBUTE 10 NATHAN HALE
People from Eastern Connecticut Interested Movement Erect Monument in Washington Born in Coventry, He Taught in New London and Fell in Love There-Hs Tragic Death Ended the Romance of His Life

ord as a student. One of his class n1ates was Benjamin Tallmardge, the colonei4f the Revolutionary army who Another college friend was the famous General Hull. Haies standing was of high merit and he graduated in HIS at Lthe age of Is. with the highest honors- He was popular with all the students, the tutors and the faculty, and. was always welcomed visitor In the best families of New Haven. At this age Ha1e's personal appearance was nota- ble He YVES six feet in height per fectiy proportioned, broad of chest firm muscied. and had g boise which marked him distinguished person m any company. His hair was light brown in color his eyes blue, and the voice musical. His taste for art and his talent as an artist were well manner made him a social favorite. Few young men of his years put forth fairer promise of future usefulness and celebrity.
 Called to New London School. Another Connecticut town which prizes the honor of association with Hale is East Haddam, in Middlesex county. Hale went there to teach his first school the winter following the gra aduation from Yale It was a silent or private school as there were no public schools In those days. At that time he wrote in his dia-y that "he had nearly 30 pupils of all ages, half being Latiners." Calls to take charge of schools in various parts ttof Connecticut and Massachusetts be- | gan to come in. In April, 1TT4, he &C., ! cepted a position in the Union gram i mar school in New London and taught Latin, English, writing and arithmetic for s35o a year.
 l Engaged to New London Girl. For year his life at New London was eventful. He pursued his studies. taught his school. and conducted a 1 Bible study class. One of his pupils was Alice Adams, a girl distinguished | for her beauty and refinement. Hale | was attracted to her and an engage | ment followed. His enlistment in the army and subsequent execution pre- | vented the marriage. After Hales | death Alice Adams was twice married | Her second husband was William Law renee of Hartford and she lived there for many years. She died in Septem 1 Der, S45. at the age of S3. She pos sessed miniature of Hale and many letters, and her last words were. Write to Nathan"
 Enlisted in the Rangers.
 Hale's record during the Revolution 1 ary war is familiar to all readers 5i
 history. His enlistment at New Lon- don as volunteer, his service at Cam bridge and New York, his connection
 with the Connecticut Rangers, a corps
 composed of choice picked men from
 the different Connecticut regimen s
 and placed under command of Lieu
 tenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton; whC i distinguished himself in the battle o1 i Bunker Hill are facte well known tC all.
 Hale's End on the GaiIovvs.
 One of the most tragic pages oi
 American history Is the record o
 Hale's mission at the request of Gen
 eral Washington, his perilous triI
 through the British lines and into theil
 camps at Long Island, his success il
 securing information of the strenstl
 of the enemy. and in preparing draw.
 ings of its forttfications-al to come
 to naught because of his being cap
 tured on his journey back to the Amer
 ican lines. Pathetic yet inspiring is thu
 history of Hale's last hours, including
 the hearing before General Howe. tn,
 indignities heaped upon him by hii
 cruel jailer, Cunningham, and tn
 final tragedy which was enacted nea,
 the old burying ground close to tn, provost jail on the eastern boundar,
 of City Hall park. New York. It wa
 shortly after daybreak on the morning ] of Sept. P, 1776 at a time when tn,
 city of New York was in flames ant
 the soldiers were battling to quell tn | conhagration that Hale was ordered to prepare for the death march short distance was covered and tn party arrived at the scene of the exc
 cution.
 The gallows was the limb of an ap Die tree, and there, without the com , forts Of the presence of a spiritual ad wiser and deprived of the privilege o sending farewell message to thos
 he loved. Hale gave the fullest of ser
 vice which any man can give-he die Tor his cause-with the words on hi lips which ring down through 13 ; years of history: q only regret that . have only one life to lose for m [ country"