Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-11-07
Astonishing Career of a Criminal.


stealing horse and buggy in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, for which offence he was convic-
ted at the late session of the Municipal
Court in the last named place. When
Tomr kins was brought up for sentence,
District Attorney Cottrell sa that the man
had made full exposition of the case, and
had given information where the property
could be found, and letter to the man who
held it, which letter, upon being prensented
by Lieut.. Hendricks of the Police force, to
the man in illinois, brought the articles.
Tompkins had also given valuable luforma-
ton to the authorities here, and in view OF
this, the District Attorney asked the Court
to impose as light sentence as possible.
The Court stated that under the circum-
stances it was disposed to deal lenientiy with
Tompkins, and should sentence him to five
years in the Penitentiary, the first day in
solitary confinement
Tompkins is a young man, scarcely y
years of age. He is small in stature, with
sharp black eye, and is shrewd and cal
culating man, who has led checkered life.
His real name is William Henry Harrison
Tompkins, although he has followed his
career as William Tompkins, Charles Deane
Hildebrand, Charles Serville and Charles
| Melville. He was born in Farming
Monroe county, Mich. Early in lite he ex-
hibited great precocity as a jig-dancer
equestrian performer &C., and in 1913, when
scarcely more than eIg Mt years OF age, he
was picked up by Howe's Circus, and adopt
ed by that Company. His parents were re-
spectacle people, and he has mother and
other relatives now living in Michigan. In
| lS4S he went to England with the circus
company, but shortly after his arrival tn ere,
made the acquaintance OF a company of
thieves who did business on large scale on
the English and French coasts, and left the
circus to join tn I'm. Shrewdness and youth
made him Il valuable addition to the band.
Their first attempt at robbery was on the
French coast. where portion of them were
captured. Tompkins among the number,
and he was sentenced to one year in the
Chduot prison. His youth elected the
friendship OF American citizens and after
serving few months he was released He
went to London and hunted up his old gang
| of freebooters, as they were called. This
was early in 1852. In London robbery
was committed by the gang, and Tompkins
was again nabbed. The parties were SEN
fenced to transportation for various periods,
from 30 to 81 years. The boy was senten-
ced to 20 years transportation, but again
| his youth came TO his assistance and he was
parlone2, although banished forever from
| the dominion of Great Britain. Our young
adventurer then shook English dust from
his feet and came to New York. Crime had
obtained suck hold upon him, that he
could Dot resist the temptation, and he com
1 Taitted robbery, and was sentenced to five
years in the penitentiary. He managed TO
obtain a new trial, aud on this was cleared.
| He thep retaraed to New York, committed
= bold and audacious robbery, was convicted
and sentenced to ten years at Sing Sing, and
| In this case also obtained new trial and
! was cleared. American soil was getting a
little warm for him, and he went to Mon
treal; was engaged ia a robbery, tried, con-
victed and sentenced to three years Ia the
penitentiary, but managed to make his es-
cape after segyiag few months. We next
hear OF hita in Pittsburg, Penn., where in
1854, he assisted in the robbery ef man
one dark night on Allegheny bridge For
this he was sentenced to ten years ia the
penitentiary. One of his associates, en-
gagged in the same affair, was sentenced to
% years, and Tompkins says he has just
! learned of his death in prison, upon having
served IL years Tompkins served three
years, but at the end of that time made
his escape. He says he made several unsuc-
cessful attempts before success followed, in
which he was detected and punished He
was in the shower bath until nearly dead
several times, aud was ironed to the floor of
| his cell by the hands, neck and legs for
weeks at time, but persisted in his efforts
until he got away. Tompkins says he suf-
fered in those three years enough to kill a
common man. After his escape he came to
Chicago, where he went again into crime.
He was detected and three times was sen
fenced te periods of one year each in State
prison. The last term expired in February
last
In Illinois he assisted in getting up re-
volt and ole of the convicts was shot, the
rest captured. Some time since he came to
Milwaukee, hired horse and buggy OF
Burnham & Post and run it into Illinois
He was captured in Detroit, but made no
effort to escape, as he might have done.
He says he expected his comrades v ould re
lease him on the train, and after his con6ne
ment in Jail, he expected they would come
to his assistance. They did not do so. He
i then concluded to lead new life, gave uT
to the keeper of the Jail file which he had
smuggled in, and told the story of his life
He says he shall serve his time out in Wau
pun, and if he lives, turn his capability tt
a good instead of bad account He says
his associates through life have always beer
Of the worst description, and among these
mentioned are Fleming and Carbeit, wht
were hung in Chicago. and Grown and Viii
liams, who were hung in Peoria, Illinois
Although only q years of age, Tomrkin.
has had upon him sentences amounting II
! the aggregate to Sc years of confinement
, and for young man he certainly has seeI
something of the vicissitudes of life.
!. IF you should ever find it necessary in an
vay tn assert your social rank don I forge