Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-15

,ao hnv;np and contracting with farmers and stock
drovers hut be was such notorious liar that be was
usually styled the lying partner ; some averrng tnat
to bis singular proficiency in this be was lndebted io
his advancement from the counting house to partner
ship In this concern Time rolled on as roll 1t WILL and
every thing appeared to prosper until one day wnea
their large premises occupying nearly an eatfe DOCK
on the Miami Canal being in fall blast Of the packing
season. fire broke out which reduced the buildings 10
ruins aGd consumed immense amount oil pork, &c.
Well fires in those days of too frequent occurrence,
for this one large t. excite any particular at
tention and it only in the light OF the future that me
dark susociOEs of the few out ii black relief IL
was By no means an unusual thing fer some CT the
wealthy Kentucky farmers to have heavy sums at their
credit on the packers books in cases lett year al
ter wear accommodating. Mr.. Finch if cur memory
serves of Bourbon county, sent all bis hogs ard cat
tie to this house, and Bill being very clever "
fellow, Finch took quite fancy to him. and on iis ac'
count had allowed equal to % 600 dollars to lie
for several years. refusing to accept any interest think
ing that when he wanted it he had but to say So
Kissane lad told him be well insured; bat days
became weeks and weeks mOnths and Mr.. Finch neEes
recovered penny to knowledge We had the story
from bis own lips We lost sight OF " Bill - for some
time Our next knowledge Of him in the purchase
of his n.others farm for the widow and family OF Sir
Alex Pannerman. io which we we're somewhat con-
cerned Several hundred pounds had been pad as an
earnest legal evidence taken, ard en- closing the
business, Bill reDudiaed, denied the agreement, and
the money was list Next the fearful and diabo
ical plot known as The Martha Washington Conep'-
racy by which he. Lyman COe and few Others, On
spred to deraud the Insurance Offices Of very large
amount The Boat end Uaiuubie cargo destined for
the Mississippi and back river trade set fire to and
burnt while Ter voyage and if misteke not some
Il passengers persisted ard, VII the gu y
crew escaped in their boat, which WAS hed in readiness
The cargo cOnsiste OF boxes of shavngs, stons and
such like One of the c0nspratoFs, On his death red
away off in Arkansas, whittier he had hid himself LET
no SfrSo Mo
Gus counts, bat eluded Justice " Bill " is said to have
spent all his igotten gains in buying up justice, which
can be done N Ohio "a well as in New IOk. Debts
incurred during tie trial to creditors INSCRIPTIONS
as himself induced Bill " and his friend Cole 10 try
the New York money market. Here they adroitly man
aged oy OF forged Checks to defraud the Chem
ical Bank of 1000 dollars ;-other Banks were
tried but suspicion around and Bill " fled. IL
vas caught in western New York, months afterwards
working as a laborer on farm. He had attempted, in
Buffalo or Rochester forget which, to pass one 0
the markell bills and Dhas traced. He jumped from
the end well nigh escaped from the officers OF jus
tice After being tried in New York City and broush
in guilty, he made such eloquent and powerful ap
peal to the Court tLat the silly judge but feeling man
changed his purpose anlfgaY Bill " the shortest in
stead of the longest term OF Imprisonment. He had
been living in Sing-Sng or Auburn long, we forge
which, before the Governor of tie State pardoned hin
out We met him shortly afterwards IN Maiden Lane
but of recognition followed. He disappeared
went with Walker We believe to Nicaragua. How
he came into the c. S A we know not; but he die
10 good and noble cause, let us hope that poo
" Bits " latter end sitter than his former career
So far kno1c is beyond the pale Ct mercy
and il is sincere hope that former acquaintance
died as freely La,doaed as tie was fully covered wit
glory on that we'll fought field. d.