The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-30
Alleged Conspiracy to Liberate Prisoner
from the County Jail.


from the County Jail.
THE PLOT FRUSTRATED AND THE CONSIDERATIONS
ARREsTED-DIscovER OF LETTERS, ETC.
conspiracy having for its aim the liberation Of three
prisoners from the New York county Jail, in Ludlow
street, recently discovered and tho consprators
rested Tho names OF the prisoners are Thomas Ed
wards. alias jones' and Peter McDade Nappean that In
August last John g. Kelly, w. H. McCoun and William
Devcre, alias Michigan Bill" wero arrested for pass
ing forged claims United States paymasters and sent
to the county prison. where they still sconaned
Michigan Bill is we'll known desperate character who
formerly escaped from his present place Of confinement
and rcarresed in Philadelphia After returning to
his cell Bill made still another attempt to regain his lib
erty, but without Since Bills Imprisonment IL
has been the custom OF tho keepers search him and
his cell TO IL he had any implements TO aid him In
another attcmp, to free himself Mr. william I. Gard.
ner In searching Bills room day or two since found half
dozen letters In VIII ch were mentioned list Of articles
Another attempt to escape These tools were 10 have
been sent in on Monday or Tuesday last On Tuesday
tho prisoner Edwards appeared at tho jail and az he
acted in rather suspicious manner he WAS searched,
when, to the astonshmcnt OF all, fine steel saw,
small three corered le waxed ends and noodles and
thread were found In his possession, all those
things having been called for in letter written
by MoCoun. In Bins bed, which was searched,
was found broken saw Edwards was prompt
" arrested, and appeared much troubled as TO what
would be done with him. In his haste TO explain
mated that he Med, was then at Kinds Hotel, nearly
opposite tie prison Mr.. Gardner accordingly proceeded
10 the hotel, and finding McDade arrested him: The
prisoners committed for examination before Justice
Shandiey. The letters wcrc all written by hctonn
whose coll about thirty feet Immediately above that
occupied by Michigan Bill McCoun lowered the letters
10 Bill by OF u string, and whom the mssives wero
let down Bill would thrust his hnnd through the bars
snd pull them in After reading the letters he secreted
thcm under his bunk thinking they would there escape
tho observation Of tho keepers. wn
We append extracts OF the letters written by McConn
and which were found In possession OF Michigan Bil:
4.
Mctoun in this letter merely states that he viii pro-
vide the necessary tools for their escape aud also some
clothing.
= This Is truly q struggle for liberty In
which should be combined lannon's mouth courage,
strongly tempered with great aud sound judgment,
prudence and carlton II utterly useless In our cases
10 hope for anything but escape Our only chance
we'll conducted and maturcd plan for escape have,
since this war began boon prisoner OF war -four dcr-
ent times and have often made daring and reckless
escape One thing know, and do agree upon-and that
i. that that night watchman must be silenced In short
sharp and decisive That accomplished, and the
rest Is certain don't sec how you are 10 rid yourself
OF two pairs Of handcus and II they have bars between
them II would be almost impossible. can get 'Jtm-
Gods ks ci US espodS things and get out Of here as
soon as possible Once out we have money enough 10
get away. Twill share my last cent with you am only
afraid that our cells may be searched DO everything 70
alay suspicion. l am afraid that Waterman will not
carry any keys and In that case will have 10 out
which will be short work Steady Steady steady
And when the time comes act act act Yours
Nv DEAR MAc--Damn IT, Accidents win happen In the
best regulated families conveyed the articles this
morning Bill. and In trying TO anix the handle he
broke II. Was there ever snch ACCIDENT am IN
damned low spirits, but will hasten 10 repair damages
For God sake make haste and have another made
Immediately Be sure and let the part you sawed Oh be
on IT, MS that strengthens H. Bill that he can go
through prison with IL hut let the back stay on H.
Be sure and bring Monday Tuesday, that being
visiting day. Bill says ne can dispense with a
| cofnered Ale Yours. MAC.
My plan Is this.-l VIII get Two Of the very
best and give them TO YOU and you can OF them
TO the best man down there. You two VIII get out, ana
NJ that night Waterman down through tho gate
you can mug gag and buck him. II he has the keys all
right; " not VIC will have 10 20 out through tho yard
We ,en nave saw up here and DO with you inc
watrhman must be sicnced cncctuay. Once out IN the
yard, with his pistol will make way out or die.
| What do you think Of the plans MAC.
hcCoun and Michigan Bill were taken from thcir cells
heavily roncd and placed close confinement 10 await
| the further action OF the authorities.
Mere Frauds i'm tho Brooklyn Navy
| Yard--sly Transactions I'm thc Matter
OF nfusters-Investigati sc.
About ten days ago suspicious Of fraudulent practices
certain department OF the Brooklyn Navy Yard began
he aroused The authorities at commenced prepa
ratous 70 detect and punish the ransgrcsors An In
vestigation was Immediately set on foot. and u con
uues yet II n UNDERWOOD that these frauds wore bens
perpetrated IN the matter Of mustes IL not supposed
that they had attained extensive proportions some O
tho facts aud evidence have bocn already brought ou
but the department holds all such from the public fo
the time lest publicity might initiate against thorough
search la the premises In about week IL supposes
that The investigation will have boon gone through ant
the report laid before tho deosrsmcnt and public actor