Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-21
THE LITE oFAREMARKABLER RASCAL

THE LITE OF OFAREMARKABLE RASCAL
A young man named William Morgan, alias
Jones, has been on trial for some days past in
columbus, Ohie, on q charge of killing police
ohcer In that city three years ago. The fol-
lowing Interesting history of the criminal is
given by the Cincinnati Gazette:
The narrative begins with the statement
that William was expelled from membe rship of
a Baptist church, near Camden station lo-
ralne county, Ohio, on account of having en-
gagged In capturinga large ram on Sunday,
preparatory to sheep washing on Monday His
expulsion affected him seriously, and, coupled
with the ridicule his thoughtless companion.
heaped upon him, soured his temper complete
ly He left home and remained absent FIVE
years, falling into evil associations, and indulg-
ing In improper behavior. Returning on foot
along the railroad, he stopped at farmhouse
TO inquire for the nearest tavern, where he was
recognized by his mother, and detained. That
winter he stayed at home, and got a job Of
overseeing upon a railroad. But he soon after
left the parental roof and wandered away, re-
suming his vicious career. In 1854, he with
notorious criminal named Osborne, alias Shep-
herd, was arrested at Buffalo, on suspicion of
having shot a watehman in that city. They
managed to escape, went to Erie, Pa, commit
ted bold burglary, were arrested, again broke
Jsii, and reached Cleveland. Here they were
once more in the hands of the officers, but were
released on account Of insufficient testimony.
Then they went down the canal to Newark, in
Licking county, Ohio, where they resumed
their depredations, breaking into fifteen dwell
ings at night, and carrying away considerable
booty. They were arrested and put in prison
wooden key, made from one Of the stools of
cell, opened the doors, and they, with six
other prisoners, escaped Pursuit of the latter
was successful, but Osborn escaped Jones
took the cars, and finding that an officer was on
board who would arrest him, he jumped from
the train while in motion, escaped unharned
and pursued his way to Columbus, where the
homicide for which he is under trial was com
mitted. An officer named Bsebe attempted to
arrest him, and the desperate young robber shot
him dead.
Not even after committing this eliminating
crime was he secured. He made his way safe
ly to Cincinnati, thence to the pineries up
Turkey River, in Minnesots, where he robbed
an old man of 1900, A serious attempt was
nov made to capture him, and through the
systematic proceeding of a detective officer. he
was finally brought safely to Columbus. and
now stands his trial. The officer Gillespie fol-
lowed upon the track Of the rascal, ascertained
that he had got into prison somewhere and
caused himself to be arrested as a counterfeit
er, and to be placed in the same cell with Nor
gan, whore be learned by confession Of the
whereabouts Of the gold, and of his being the
person who killed the Columbus officer Bsebe
VI.
found where he said it was secreted, and Gil
lespis affected to escape while Morgan was re-
tanned.
After being committed to prison in Franklin
county, his behavior was exemplary, and he
affected u serious turn of mind, converted on
religious subjects and sought the advice of
ministers. The confidence Of the tailor was
completely won, and then the prisoner made
an attempt to escape arranging schemes in
concert with several of his companions The
conspiracy was suspected and frustrated. Nor
gan was found to have freed himself of his fet-
ters, and confessed that he intended to make
the JaIlor take his place in the cell, while he
walked out Of prison. Heavier irons repIaced
those he had succeeded in removing from his
limbs Not long after il was discovered that
ne had succeeded in removing the rivets from
these, and was Prepared for another effort to
regain his liberty small sachel had been
allowed to remain in his CELL and from the iron
band forming the clasp he had constructed n
saw with which he removed the shackles. Ad-
joining Morgan's cell was one in which Dr.
Carroll was confined for passing counterfeit
money, who was allowed rather larger liberty
than Morgan. When the jailor opened Nor
gan's door, he jumped up, seized the turnkey,
and said be must 60 into the Doctor scell. Tho
attempt to imprison the jailor failed, the Doc
tor not rendering the aid expected Of him.
This failure excited Morgan's animosity against
suc poor DOctor, WnOm ne pummeled and kick
ed numerically for his cowardice. I'd ...
Morgan had been supplied with a sticking
plaster, which he pretended was to be used for
the relief of severe pain in his back; but the
adhesive was applied TO keep his irons together
after the rivets were removed, portion being
retained for closing the mouth of the taller, in
case he ahould be locked into the cell Still
heavier irons were put upon Morgan; but he
did not abandon his efforts to escape He was
removed to another cell, and although ham,
pered by shackles weighing l8 pounds, succeed
ed In tearing up the flooring and working his
way nearly through q wall dividing his cell
from dungeon. Had he succeeded in reach
ing that he would have gained nothing but
more secure apartment. The jsilor being alb
sent one night, on account of sickness in his
family, Morgan refused to allow any other per-
son ~ enter his cell, and exhibited two huge
stones, dug from the wall, with which he threat
ened TO kali any intruders. Not only his legs
but his arms were afterwards confined In irons,
and all his erertions ended in nothing
The prisoner is described as having light.
brown hair, turned up in front, q keen, mis-
nance, but from his thin, scornful lip, and
easy, aoneh0i0Hf manner, he exhibits daring
and defiance, which, his confederates say,
marked bis course as one Of the most expert
burglars in the United States.
The Judge before whom he is tried has de-
cided that the warrant held by Beebe, in max
lag the arrest, was not legal writ, and this
has given confidence to the bold fellow that he
will'yst get clsar. The Judge decided that an
othcsr must arrest felOn. A citizen may, but
not on suspicion merely
There must have been penitentiary offence
committed
The offender must be known
And the citizen must have information.
A private citizen has q right to arrest, on
asyIchsrs in the State, tchefhsr ia the county
Of vhieh h, is a resident or nit
The case is contested closely, and proceeds
slowly. Mr. Cox is counsel for the State, and
Mr.. Warden for the prisoner. -.
The TIGER SHOUT "A correspondent of the