Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-10-06

anu a. VNS pChSNc
they decamped rather hastily. In Au-
gust, 1927, they returned to the city,
and put up as formerly, at different ho-
tells in Broadway, and commenced theil
system anew. 1t was during this period
of the excursion, that they committc d sew
eral theits-were apprehended-and had
their names enrolled OH the books OF the
New-York Police Office. This enrol,
ment is dated Aug. 8, 1927, and contain:
the names of Richard Crowninshield, hi'
brother George, and Knapp, who passcd
by the aliases of George j. Brown, ant
Joseph Fisher. One of the party had
stolen a gold watch, at the Franklin
House, anoth er gold chain OfMr. Rock
well, in Broadway, while looking at his
wares. The chain was found in one OF
the apartments of the American hotel.
Both the Crowninshields were then put in
Bridewell, and Fisher, alias Knapp, i'll
a private conversation with one OF the
Police officers, 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 extricate himself and his ac-
quaintance. Yet it was accomplished.
When Frank returned to Salem, which
was Immediately on the heels of the ad-
venture here, he was severely taken to
task by his father and friends. Ills de-
ccption-his trick, and his theft of the
money, were, however, concealed from
the world, and attempts were made to re-
claim him from his course by sending him
to sea. Frank went to sea several voy-
ages, and gave such evidence of his So
briefly, attention to duty, and persever-
ance of character, that his friends be-
Iieved that a complete reformation had
been effected He continued so for a
year, giving promises Of becoming use
full man and a virtuous member of society,
Notwithstanding his first lapses. About a
year ago he left sea, probably from the
depressed state Of commerce, and the de-
cay of trade experienced in Salem.
This reduced him to comparative idle
ness, and threw him second time into
the society of the Crowninshields, who
then lived in Danvers, and carried on a
sort of a machine and whitesmith's shop,
for making the iron-work of stages, wag-
ons and such like articles. This busi-
ness ofthe Crowninshiclds was princi pal
ly made fcnt for the prosecution OF dam
gerous plans forthe procurement of funds
whenever they were in want of them.
Secret predatory expeditions were fire.
quently made into the surrounding towns
and villages, in which he became part
ner and an associate. Yet in all his vii
lainy, the leader of the gang, Richard,
took particular pains to enforce the strict
est rules, and severest discipline, which
he deemed necessary to success. 1t is
said in Salem, that Richard was in the
habit of saying, "No one shall belong to
our set who does not adhere to cold wa
ter-spirits must be abstaincd from alto
gether."
1t was only during the moments ofre
taxation, when all danger was distant,
that the pleasures Of the bottle were in
dulged in; and even then they say, nc
one ever saw Richard Crownnshield the
worse for liquor. He was believed to be
extremely temperate and abstemious,
and insisted that his adherents should be
equally so. Some young fellows In
Danvers, used to call the set, "Dick
Crowninshield's Temperance Society"
The connection which Frank Knapp
had with the murder of capt. White, has
been told in the recent reports OF his trials.
He was the only individual of the gang
whose iron nerves and unflinching coun-
tenance rivalled Richards. He had ac-
companed him to the house of Capt.
White-participated in the foul acts
now convicted most Justly. In prison he
demonstrated against the proposed con-
fession of his brother-charactcrizcd him
as weak, wicked, and being the sole in
stlga ator of the foul deed,"l told him."
said he, "that it was silly business,
and would bring us into trouble" Dur
ing his trial, he exhibited the most stoical
indifference to every proceeding. In
challenging the first jury, he exhibited
considerable tact in the selection. He
showed decided preference to scaiar-
ing, weather beaten men, OF hard iea-
lures and honest countcnances. The
foreman, who is said to have differed
with ten of the other jurors, had as fine
open and honest a face as we everbehcld
Any man, however, being from Salem,
was challenged Instant y-"l challenge
him." said Knappin firm voice, and he
was forthwith set aside.
Such characters as Richard Crownin-
shield and John Francis Knapp-cool,
daring, and lcarless--possessing talents
of certain kind, without any sympathy
for society or obedience to its just and
wholesome laws, arc the most dangerous