AN-AMAZING LIFE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2769, 26 March 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

AN-AMAZING LIFE.

Here is an amazing story told.by the London “Telegraph.” It is a transcript from life and stranger than fiction, and pathetic too. “News has been received in London, says the “Telegraph,” “of the death of Joseph Creswiek, who, while fleeing from justice, accomplished one of the most remarkable walking feats on record. Creswiek was undergoing a sentence for forgery in Rhodesia, and was being conveyed from one prison to another by train, when he made his escape from his guards. As his legs were heavily ironed, the task was a most difficult one, but the prisoner was a man of infinite daring and resource, and risked everything in his effort to obtain freedom. His opportunity came one night when the train in which he was being conveyed was -between Buluwayo and Salisbury. ESCAPED IN HIS FETTERS.

“It was proceeding at a fairly fast rate when ho found that his guards were fast asleep. Creswiek without hesitation quietly opened the carriage door and jumped out. Hampered as he was by leg-irons, he seemed to be courting death. On reaching the ground lie stumbled and fell, but was -by no means badly hurt. “Once he fancied he heard a dog barking about half a mile aw'ay from him, and he gave himself up for lost, thinking that the animal must belong to a party sent out in search, but as the days went by and lie travelled further from the scene of his escape, his fear of recapture -passed away. “It -was not until then that he seriously addressed himself to the task of getting rid of his -leg-irons. As lie had no file or a piece of metal of any description the task was a stupendous one, especially as lie found himself growing weaker, wild fruit being his only remaining means of support. His legs, too, where they had come into contact with the iron, had become dialed, and tlio slightest movement caused him great pain. Day after day and night after night he rubbed his irons with the sharpest [pieces of rock lie could find, until at last his efforts were rewarded. ARRIVAL AT THE CONGO.

“Just- when Creswiek was coming to the conclusion tl-.at lie- had been walking round and round without making much progress he fell in with some natives, who treated him in a very friendly manner. The wanderer made them understand that .he was in search of a river, thinking that if he could find one and follow its course it would lead him to civilisation. The natives gave him certain directions as to how to find ‘a very long water,’ which Creswiek concluded must mean the River Congo, anil for several more weeks be continued bis weary tramp. HIS CAPTURE AT IV HITECH A PEL. “Eight months after his escape from the train between Salisbury and Buluwayo he was found by a party of Belgians lying in a weak and feverish condition about 200 miles from Leopoldville, in the Congo. They were much impressed by the mail’s story, and nursed him back to health and strength. At Bomba, arrayed in a pair of cricket flannels and a football jersey, provided by his new friends, the fugitive found a ship on which he worked his pc...sage to Antwerp. From there be got a ship to London. That, however, led to his undoing, for, while walking in Whitechapel one fine morning, he was recognised by Detective-Inspector Belcher, of Scotland Yard, who arrested him on the charge of escaping from lawful custody.

“He was taken subsequently to Rhodesia- by Detective Br undell, of the Rhodesian Police, as a fugitive offender, and for his escapade was sentenced to a further term of six months’ imprisonment, and died in gaol.”