Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-28
MYSTERY OF EMMET'S BURIAL
The Patriot Wanted No Inscription His Tomb Till Ireland
Was Free, But No One Knows Where
His Body Lies
By JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS

THE refusal of the British Government
i to turn over Sir Roger Easements
body to his family may have resulted
from it's experiences with that of the cele-
brated Robert Emmet.
During our Revolutionary War En-
met was born in Dublin, and at Trinity
College he made brilliant record. He
| planned for himself a career as q lawyer
and developed such a gift for oratory
| that he was able to sway his classmates
to an extent that more tldn assured his
success as a politician. He could shape
| the opinions of his hearers as he willed.
| Wherever he went, heads were barred in
| his honor When he Joined the United
Irishmen," he avowed himself a republi-
can and stirred that body with a series
| of speeches that shocked the sensibilities
of the college authorities and led to his
| expulsion. He now proclaimed his pur-
pose to separate Ireland from Great Brit
ain and establish it as an independent
republic. He helped to foment the re-
| belion of 1898, but that movement proved
abortive and Emmett had to leave ireland
and take refuge in France. from which
he returned secretly in 1902. Then came
the great Irish insurrection of 1903.
Emmett took up leadership in the move
ment.
Carefully organizing the rebels, he es-
tablished munitions depots in various
parts of Dublin, and fixed upon July %
as the time for seizing the castle and
arsenals of the Irish capital. On the eve
of that day, he directed the distribution
of pixies among the assembled consplr-
ators, and next day the insurgent band,
cheering as they dashed through the
streets, swelled into furious mob which
lost its head and assassinated Chief JUS
tice Kilwarden as he passed by in his
carriage. But the mob hesitated to fol-
low Emmet to Dublin Castle. At the first
volley from a small parcel of soldiers
they dispersed, leaving him unsupported.
Fleeing for his life to Wicklow Noun
tains he remained in hiding until word
might come that he could safely escape
to France.
But the little blind god, who is at the
bottom of most of lifes tragedies, proved
to be the dashing young patriots undo
ing. That he might take one more fond
farewell of his beloved Sarah Curran, the
I =
Curran, to which lady he was betrothed,
he delayed escape too long, was captured,
and, like Sir Roger Easement, was tried
for high treason against the British Gov
ernment. He defended his own case, and
most of us have been stirred by reading
the eloquent address which he made TO
the court when asked If he could show
any cause why sentence should not be
imposed upon him. The death penalty
inflicted upon Emmett was more cruel
than that suffered by Easement. After
he had been hanged, the eNecutioner be-
headed him and exhibited his bloody head
TO the multitude. Then his body was
taken to Kilmainham jail, where. instead
of being destroyed in quicklime, it was
kept awaiting orders from his family. 1t
happened, however. that all Of his rela-
tives and friends were at the time either
in prison or in hiding, the latter not
daring to make known their whereabouts.
Beyond stating that 1t was returned TO
the Jail. history does not relate what be-
came Of the body.
It was Emmet's dying request that his
grave should bear no epltaph until Ire
land should be freed. and out OF respect
for his wishes doubtless grew the deep
mystery as to the place where his last
ashes repose
Four generations have secured the
Emerald Isle for Robert Emmetis bones.
According 70 the Kiimainham jaller. his
BODY. when unclaimed. Has taken from