The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-11-18

c"saoie omlsslohs. rof lnBtance, pub
fishing house in this city placed on ex-
hibition four books, prepared by writer's
of South Carolina, and elegantly bound
by binder OF Columbia. This, the only
enterprise of the kind attempted since
the war. was utterly ignored. Tho com
mittee failed to pay it the compliment
either of praise or censure. This is not
the way to develop the resources of tho
State. ENTERPRISE.
a Dying burglars Story-The Career OF
the Most Notorious Burglar I'm Americu.
The New York Sun, of the 9TH, is re-
sponsible for the following:
| Among the prisoners arraigned for
trial in the Court of Special Sessions,
yesterday, was one James Morse, more
familiarly known to the authorities rs
John Miller. He was accused of steal
ing few yards of flannel from n store
in Broadway, and through his counsel.
"A. j. Ander"on, Esq, pleaded guilty to
the charge and threw himself upon the
mercy of the Court. The man bore the
appearance of one who had had hard
life of it. His black eyes wero deeply
sunken. He was very pale, looked hae-
gard and completely worn out Upon
his face was indelibly stamped that sad,
sorrowful, disappointed look, which be-
longs to the old criminal when he sees
he must bow to his fate, as he stands
before an earthly tribunal for the last
time, to be sentenced once more, and
then to die, whero he has lived, in n
felon's cell.
The history of John Miller would fill
volume. He was born in Scotland,
and came to this city sixteen years ago,
first class burglar in every respect.
Before taking his leave of the old coun.
try, he had already distinguished himself
by three successful burglaries, which
yielded him ElO,OOO. The police of
Edingurgh regarded him as the most
skillful criminal in Scotland. When only
sixteen years of age, he was sentenced to
short term of imprisonment in the
Edinburgh Work house Tho reverse of
fortune made him shift his quarters.
London was next selected as his field of
operations. For whole year, he lived
and thrived by his burelarics.
His last exploit, before his departure,
was blowing open n BANKERS safe, and
abstracting money enough to pay his ex-
penses across the Atlantic. With few
thousand dollars in his pocket, he reach
ed our hospitable shores, in company
with three other professional English
burglars. He made plans of the vaults
OF the Bank of England, before leaving,
with an intention of overhauling their
contents, but the close scrutiny of the
London police compelled him to forego
his design.
| Once in this city ho began operations
Immediately. He mado his debm by
breaking into the storo on the North
west corner Of Duanea and Church streets,
and stealing $40, 900 in silks and 5000
in coin. A few days after this burglary,
ho again visited the store, broke open
the safe, and $40, 900 more fell into his
grasp. The boldncss of this last exploit
produced n great sensation in the metro
polls. The detectives could obtain no
clue to the perpetrator. A vigilant watch
was maintained over the premises for n
few weeks, during which time, Mr. Mil
Ter, who was rapidly becoming initiated
into our customs, visited three or fonr
other stores, and carried off n few hum
drcd dollars
When the watch over the Church street
property was relaxed, Mr.. Miller thought
he would again try his hand mt the safe
which had yielded him such rich har-
vest. He watched tho place for few
days, and at last. one stormy night, he
set out, we'll equipped with oil tho para
phernalia of n burglar, aud in the COM
pauy Of dear pal" He easily effected
an entrance into the store, and made his
way tc the safe. He had not proceeded
far with his work, before the alarm was
given. The bird was Gagged. Notwith-
standing the fact that he was q wealthy
man, he was speedily tried, convicted,
and sentenced to tho State Prison for
five years. Onr criminal courts admi-
nistered justice in those days, and were
not liz the hands of abandoned politi-
cinns.
Mr.. Miller and his pal, who was no
other than the notorious burglar Chaun-
cey Johnson, alias Dntch Heinrich, after
sentence, were locked up together in q
cell on the second tier, facing tho yard
of the prison. On the night before he
was to BIO transferred to Sing Sing, Mil
Ter broke through the wall, four feet and
q half in thickness, with the fork he had
used at his supper. He was at that time
suffering from bronchial consumption, q
disease which has always affected him,
and will shortly terminate his career.
Both burglars jumped down into the
yard, where they were received by the