ASTONISHING PEOPLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1940, Page 7

ASTONISHING PEOPLE

SLIPPERY THOMAS. Thomas Foster was his name. He was born about 1675. A high church tory squire with lands in Northumberland, he was a Member of Parliament, a man of considerable influence, and one who had a happy knack of getting out of tight corners. When the rebellion of 1715 broke out in the days of the Old Pretender, Thomas Forster was soon seen to be wavering in his allegiance to the throne, and before long there was an order for his arrest. Thomas had timely warning. He gathered his servants round him. and marched off like a little king, joining a number of northcountry gentry. He made an attack on Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but failed to capture it. and hearing that General Carpenter was on his heels, slippery Thomas neatly evaded him.

At Rothbury he linked up with the south-country Scots, and a day later the small company was strengthened by a body of Highlanders. The Pretender made Thomas general of a miniature army, and with high spirits they all marched south conquering and to conquer, as they thought.

At Preston, however, Thomas knew he was beaten before any battle began, so he cleverly, but rather shamefully, gave in. surrendering on the spot. The English at once took him prisoner, and he was hurried south, his hands tied behind him, his horse led by a halter. At Highgate crowds flocked to jeer at him.

On April 10 in 1716 he was lying in Newgate prison, and there was no doubt but that at his trial he would be found guilty of treason —which meant execution. .

But by a cunning device his servant got the head keeper locked in a cellar, and about the same hour Forster induced the governor to lake wine with him. The governor did so. and slippery Thomas neatly left the room a moment —as he said —locking the door behind him.

It was then a simple matter to slip i.ut of England into France.