Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-09-02

lanies with great address. They lived in sepa-
rate Hotels. One Of the gang would look out for
thunder at the house in which he resided, but ne
touched nothing. His associate from another Ho'
tel. was invited to see him-information commu-
nicated how TO find the property. and the non-re-
sident stole from the Hotel Of the resident. BY
this means, detection was difficult This was their
system, and they had practsed upon 1t very sue
cessfully before they were discovered by our po'
lice.
| From this city, they went to the Springs and
remained short time. We believe they had 10
decamp rather hastily. In August oil that same
year, 0S27) they returned to Broadway ana put
, I'm as formerly at different hotels In Broadway,
and commenced their system anew. 1t was dur
| ;np this period of the excursion, that they COM
mitted several thefts-were apprehended-and
i had their names enrolled on the books of the
NewYork Police Office. This enrolment is
dated August 9, 1927, and contains the names OF
Richard Crowninshield, his brother George, and
Knapp, who passed by the aliases OF George J.
Brown and Joseph Fisher. One OF the party had
stolen gold watch, at the Franklin House, an
other cold chain of Mr.. Rockwell, in Broad.
way, while looking at his wares, The cham was
found in one of the apartments in the Ameri-
can Hotel Both the Crowninshie!ds were then
put in Brdewell, and Fisher alias Knapp, in a
private conversation with one of the Police OIL
GERS, gave such accounts, that this memorandum
was written after their names in the police books
-" noted thieves from Salem, Mass. Fisher tells
all about them"
1t required the greatest ingenuity of Richard
to extrcate himself and his acquaintance. Yet
it was accomplished. When Frank returned to
Salem, which was Immediately OH the heels OF the
adventure here, he was severely taken to task by
his father and friends. His deception, his trick,
and his theft of the money were, however. con-
cealed from the world. and attempts were made
to reclaim him from his course by sending him TO
sea. Frank went to sea several VOYAGES. and
gave such evidence of his sobriety, attention to
duty and perseverance of character, that his
friends believed complete reformation had been
effected. He continued so for year, giving
promises of becoming useful man and virtuous
member of society, notwithstanding his hrshaps
es. About a year ago he left the sea, probably
from the depressed state of commerce, and the
decay of trade experienced in Salem. This re-
duced him to comparative idleness, and threw
him second time into the society of the Crown
inshiclds. who then lived in Danvers, and carried
on a sort Of a machine and whitesmith's shop. for
making and constructing the iron work of stages.
wagons, and such like articles. This business OF
the CrowninshicIds was principally made feint
for the prosecution of dangerous plans tor the
procurement of funds whenever they were in
want of them. Secret predatory expeditions
, were frequently made into the surrounding towns
and villages. in which Frank became partner
and associate. Yet in all his villainy,the leader
of the gang, Richard. took particular pains to
enforce the strictest rules, and severest discipline
which he deemed necessary to success. 1t IS
said i'm Salem. that Richard was IN the habit OF
SAYING. No one shall belong to our set who
does not adhere to cold water-splrlts must be
abstained from altogether"
1t was only during the moments OF relaxation,
when all danger was distant. that the pleasures
Of the bottle we're INDUCED in: and even then.
they saw, '.'no one ever saw Richard Crownin-
shield the worse for liquor" He was believed to
be extremely temperate and abstemious. and in.
sisted that his adherents should be equally so.-
Some Young fellows in Danvers use to call the
| set Dick Crowninshield's Temperance Soce-
ty."
The connexion which Frank Knapp had with
the murder of Capt White, has been told in the
recent reports of his trials. He was the only in
dividual of the gang whose iron nerves and I'M
hinching countenance nvalled Richards. He had
accompanied him to the house of Capt. White
participated in the foul acts now convicted
most Justly, and will suffer the punishment due
| to his great crime. In prison he demonstrated
against the proposed confession OF his brother
characterized him as weak, wicked, and being
the sole instgator of the foul Decd told him.
said he. st that it was silly business. and would
bring us into trouble" During his trial he exhib-
ited the most stocal indifference to every pro-
ceeding. In challenging the jury, ne exhibited
considerable tact in the selection. He showed
decided preference to seafaring, weather-beaten
men, of hard features and honest countenances.
The foreman, who is said to have differed with
ten Of the other jurors. had as fine, open and hon
est face, as we ever behed. Any man howev
err being from Salem,was challenged instantly
II challenge him. said Knapp in firm voice,
and he was forthwith set aside.
Such characters as Richard Crownnshield and
John Francis Knapp-cool, daring. and fearless
possessing talents Of a certain kind, without any
sympathy for society. or obedience to ITS just
and wholesome laws, are the most dangerous and
injurious to every well regulated community
|