A REMARKABLE LIFE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 27, 24 October 1884, Page 22

A REMARKABLE LIFE.

The Wesford People of a recent date says :— " A few days ago there died in the New Boss Infirmary a truly remarkable man. His name was John Redmond, and he was born in the year 1765 (that is 33 years before the rebellion of "98), at Ballybawn, parish of Templednigan. He was the eldest of a family of twenty brothers and asters, two of whom are still living. The parish priest of Templeduigan at that time was the Rev. Thomas Murphy, P.P., and he wa9 succeeded by Father Roclgers. In Redmond's early days he worked as a servant with the father of the great Dr. Doyle, was, in fact reared at Dr. Doyle's house, and was well acquainted with the illustrious 'J. K. L.' from his infancy. In the year 1795, Redmond, having attained his thirtieth year, left Ireland for Newfoundland and there spent ' three seasons ' fishing. At the end of the third season —or rather the autumn of '98— he returned to Ireland. He was shipwrecked on the West Coast of Ireland, but managed to get pshore, and set out for his native county, Wexford. One day as he was travelling homewards, he saw a man digging in a field, went towards him, but just as he was about to speak to him the man ran away, leaving Redmond thunder-struck at this strange proceeding Soon, however, he discovered the cause of the man's terror for two soldiers came running acroFS the field : one of them pursued the stranger and the other came to Redmond and commanded him to kneel down to be t>bot. Redmond begged hard of the soldier to be allowed a few second* to say a prayer, and ask for God's mercy Redmond fell on his knees and cried, ' Oh ! God, direct me what to do ! and in an instant he sprang to his legs, seized a spade, and with one terrific blow smashed in the head of tbe soldier, who happened at the time to have his back turned to him watching his companion pursuing the fugitive. Having killed the soldier, he flew away from the spot, and made straight for Wexford county, where he finally arrived. The Rebellion had been crushed, and' the brutal soldiery were torturing the people in a manner not unworthy the archfiend. Redmond haw with his own eyes the gallows, the pitchcap, and all the rest of the fearful toitures in full swing. A faint idea of how completely the people were in the hands of the bi-utal soldiory may be gained from the story Redmond nsed to tell of how a poor simpleton from Ballybawn was treated by these fiends They seized him, and tied his wrists together, and threw him into a pond or bog-hole, in order to amuse themselves watching the poor fellow's struggles for life. He was a good swimmer, and by nsin» his legs which were not bound, succeeded in getting to the bank, but the soldiery beat him back again. This was repeated several times A gentleman who happened to be passing went to the officer in command, and begged of him to save the poor wretch. The office at length consented to do so, and came to the spot just in time to see the fool manage to catch a ruffian who had thrown him back in the water, and drag him in with him. The rest of the soldiery exerted , themfelves to the utmost to save their comrade, whose shrieks could ' have been heard for miles around.' Tbe officer had the poor fool Teleased. when himself and his would-be assassin werejpulled ashore | It was extremely bard to get mnch information from the old man, as he was not only deaf, but also very muoh disinclined to speak of the days gone by. The poor fellow was terribly wasted, his bones almost protruding through his skin, and bia face like that of a sickly infant He entered the Woikhouse Infirmary, New Ross, some few weeks ago complaining of a hurt he received in the back, caused by a fall from a hay-loft, in Coolehin. Redmond had attained the extraordinary age of 119 years." J