CONVICT'S 1200 MILES' WALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 37, 12 February 1910, Page 17

CONVICT'S 1200 MILES' WALK.

DEATH OF A REMARKABLE PRISONER One of the most remarkable feats on record was accomplished by a man whose death was reported recntly—Joseph Creswlck, a convict. Creswlck, while under sentence for forgery, Jumped from a train between Bulawayo and Salisbury while under escort and heavily-Ironed. He escaped into the darkness, and, in spite of his leg-Irons, which mude every step short and painful, he travelled day after day through ■an unknown wilderness.

His leg-Irons he filed away with sharp stones. The tnsk was a stupendous one. Day after dr.y, and night after night he rubbed his irons with the sharpest pieces of rock he could Und, until at last his efforts were rewarded with success, and he was able to throw his manaclc3 aside. Aβ ho afterwards remarked, It was then, and not until then, tti-at he seemed to breathe the sweet air of liberty. With longer strides, he went on "through the unknown country in which he found himself, without map or compass to guide him, his sole object being to get to some white settlement where ho was not likely to be claimed by 'the British Government.

Altogether Creswlck walked 1200 miles through the heart of Africa. Eight months after his escape, he was found by a party of Belgians in a weak and feverish condition in the Congo State. They nursed him back to health, and he worked his passage to Antwerp. From there he 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 bnck to Rhodesia as a fugitive offender, and for his escapade was sentenced to a further term of six moutihs' imprisonment. But he had never completely recovered from 'the fever contracted during his extraordinary wanderings, aud he has just died in prison. Creswiek is described as v good-hearted fellow, and was a great favourite with the prison officials, In spite of his anxiety to dispense wit* their attention.