Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-13
whsn' al things being adjusted the drop was zoos
ened, and he fell so far that he was almost instantly
I fluad ---~SN-.N'y

"e"' au lungs oeIhE aoJusteu, the drop was ZOOS
ened and he fell far that he was almost Instant,
dead
twill be recolccted that Wilson, his associate il
crime, had been pardoned the capital offence by the
president OF the United States but remains subject
10 Imprisonment for life ether counts of the ndict
ments against him. Wilson is an Ameriean Porter W III
an freshman. This seeming partiality caused power
iui excitement in Philadelphia, among the people gen
erahy' anu especially Porter's copntrymen WehaTe
heard many particulars, but shall not repe ut them
which Showed the public feeling. s..
Dut SO It was. that confident belief was. enter
famed thet rescue at the gallows would be attempt
ag'tated on that account. In consequence the ular
ihal of the district issued the summons inserted be-
low TO many citizens, who attended on horseback
armed with poles, "a very prudent proceeding)--al
the city coDstabes and watchmcn ulso collected
and organized. bearing the insignia OF their Office
and the United States troops from fort Mifln and
marines from the navy yard, were present with fixed
oayonets and otherwise ready for These pre-.
parations perhaps, had the effect prevent hat was
feared and no rot took place. though much and lou
was expressed by the people, believing
That the same measure Of justice should have been
melted to Wilson and Porter. And the excitement so
raised she"ed sef for some days the execution
IN the cutting down of hickory poles, and reversing
some tavern signs; but the public peace was not much
disturbed by those transactions to the credit of the
population and police.
AS many erroneous statements have been published
concerning Porter and Wilson, and because of the
excitement above alluded to, it may be proper that
some Leading facts should be sivcn which were Off
caly known to the writer of this as one of the late
directors OF the Maryland pententary; and, during
the years 1928 and 1899 one of the two members of
the board who had chefcharge over the police of tie
prison, OF which these men were inmates.
"asoa was received in August 1926. for three
years ior grand larceny, the particular offence Dot
stated MS beng 25 years old-and discharged by the
expiration of his sentence, oath August, 1870
Porter was received in February 1927. for t,co
years tor store breaking and stealing dozen combs,
as being % years old-and was discharged 22d Feb
1923. by the expiration of his sentence.
According to the records Of the prison, Wilson is
nearly % years, and Porter was less than 26 years
old.
They were both accounted bad men; hut Porter
was IN the language of the penitentiary called
good prsoner; aud is not recolccted that he ever
was punished except by slight confinement in his
cell, for not doing his task.
After his release in Feb 1929, Porter commenced
his trade OF weaver in Baltimore, and pursued I'M
III Wilson came out in August, who Joined Porter, 81
for short time. lahorcd loom-but thew soon pro-
ceeded to Philadelphia together and there were
shortly afterwards joined by Abraham Potect, who
made his escape from the said pcniientiary in June
l8Zs-and then these three planned and executed the
robbery ofthe mail near the city Just named.
After which Wilson and Poteet proceeded to Bal
timore, for the purpose of killing Mr. Owens the
principal keeper of the penitentiary and Mr. Disney
one OF The neutrality-suspicious. refusing to- take
any part IN the affair. On Friday yht the 2ad Jan
1880, ihey IN company with man named Riddle also
=. C.
customed to attend his meeting that evening of the
veek, reconnoitred the church, but not finding Dir
owens, twho remained at home that evening} thew
proceeded to the penitcntary, and conceaing them
selves. waited for their prey. At about 9 at night
they discovered Mir. Disney returning from his own
house, which Was near, accompanied by two females
the matron, and young lady related TO her
When they reached the gate, and were ..aiting
Abundance, Wilson and Poteet advanced close mon
them. and each took aim e. Mr. D. Potects pistol
snapped, but Wilson's ball passed through the ha.
OF the deputy keeper, about half inch above his
head, the women being close at his side 1t
appears appears by the testimony of the witnesses, that
Wilson seemed to advance one step after he had
levelied his pistol, which probably saved the life
of Disney, for Wilson then stood on a piece of
ground little elevated above the common level OF
the street. On Sunday night following hey planned
robbery ofe great eastern mail and went so far as
to build fence the road about four miles frcr,
Baltimore; but they thought TIE night was not dark
enough Tor their purpose, and abandoned it. The next
morning. before day. they stationed themselves on the
w ashngton road with an intent to rob the passen-
gers IN the eary stage; and the person who was TO
have stopped the horses having s'flinched," Wilon
and Potect both Instantly fired upon the driver and
dangerously wounded him; but he still kept his seat
and the horses being frightened ran away and so de-
feated their project. Soon after these things Porter
arrived IN ID ltimore and joined them. The whole
were arrested at nearly the same time. Porter has
been decentralization is confined for liGs Poteet for
twenty-five years, aud Riddle fer ten-the whole ey-
tent OF the punishment that could be given TO the two
latter for their offences in Maryland, in al which
Wilson en- actar
These facts are derived from the confessions of the
parties and the various testimony that appea red on
the trials
Porter seems to have been the leader in the robbie
~ OF the mails Philadelphia, and it was for thai
offence for which he and Wilson were found guilty
and punished. Porter is dead and we hone at rest
-and our best wishes are that Wilson may reform
the thoughts OF his heart as earnestly exhorted by
Porter, on taking last leave of him. :
From The Philadelphia inquirer Jackson paper
1t IS said IN an AFTERNOON paper that "bodness man
illness, and daring contrad stingushing traits in
the character OF Porter, were exactly the dangerous
ones" Are we to understand by this, that they are
deemed more dangerous and less redceming cbarac-
epstics than those OF "sneskng and cowardly yiiia
ny" Arc we to understand that the wretch who
comes npon you unawares. and piunges weapon into
your back, more worthy object of mercy, Than the
Tobber who boldly confronts tells you defend your
self, and demands your purse your life3 IF So we
differ altogether from our evening conternporary
t tI