TAKE CARE OF YOUR HORSES!

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TAKE CARE OF YOUR HORSES!
THIRTY DOLLARS REWARD
Milestones Vol 10 No 2--Spring 1985

No doubt at all but what you'll know,
Why with our money we part to;
The following lines be pleas'd to read,
And they will shew the cause indeed. '
Twas Sunday night, on the tenth day,
From Greensburgh jail did break away,
A lusty fellow there confin'd,
And stealing Horses was his crime;
Where he is gone I cannot say,
But he's a rogue both night and day.
To tell his marks I am inclin'd,
His age may be full twenty nine;
His hair is dark, if I am right,
He wears it ty'd both day and night;
His height perhaps is five feet nine,
His proper name is James Bonine -
Tho' other names no doubt he'll find,
And change as often as the wind -
This he has done, and will again,
His evil practice to maintain;
This villain's craft indeed is such,
That he can pass among the Dutch,
Their language he has very pat,
And loves to see a horse that's fat.
One thing in him you may remark,
He lisps a little in his talk.
To tell his cloathing I shan't lack,
His overall's is velvet black,
Drab colour was the coat he wore,
His jacket was of cassimer -
A greater coat with him he bore,
Which over all he mostly wore,
It was grey coating if I mind,
His hat was of the rorum kind;
Besides all this, there's one thing more,
A blanket now he with him bore.
And now this caution I do make,
To any one that may him take,
Whate'er he says, or may reply,
Believe him not, for he will lie,
Unless he tells you he broke jail,
And is determin'd for to steal,
His practic'd evil from his youth,
Believe him then, 'tis honest truth.
Should you by chance this villain find,
His hands and feet in fetters bind,
If this neglected is by you,
He'll surely leave you, mind 'tis true,
And when you have him strongly bound,
Come on my boy to Greensburgh town,
And then to me without delay,
Deliver him and get your pay.

Nathan Williams, jailor, Greensburgh, Westmoreland County,
March 23, 1799
Extracted by Mark H. Welchley