Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-07-27
THE CONVICT,s STORY.
From the Columbus JournaI.


The developments in the case of the
attempted escape of Charles Ulrieh,
the cOunterfeiter, from the Peniten-
tiary on Saturday morning, published
yesterday in the Journal, created uni
versal surprise and general excite
ment. There were no doubt many of
Ulrich's accOmpliees or old associates
waiting the news of his release with
great anxiety. 1t is quite sure that
some persons had come to this city to
assist in perfecting arrangements, and
the chapter Of developments in the
Journal was the firstauthoritative an
nouncemento Of the result to start them
on their hOmeward journey.
No new facts of special interest were
brought to light yesterday, only it is
supposed that others than those nam
ed were concerned in the transaction,
outside the prison.
This man. Charles Ulrich, is a pecu-
liar individual. He was employed for
a time as engraver in the establish
ment of the American Bank Note
Company. He is one of the best en-
gravers in the country, and received
at that time a salary of $4,000 per
annum for his work for the company.
He states that he then was living an
easy life, boarding at TaylOr's, Broad
way, New York, and enjoyed himself
very much. He became acquainted
there with a very pleasant gentleman,
who, after securing his good will, en-
gagged Ulrich to do odd little Jobs Of
engraving. This proceeded until u
rich discovered that these odd little
designs made parts of bank notes, and
was told that he was engaged in eoun-
terfeiting. He was threatened with
exposure unless he aeceded to the de-
mands of his friends" He then
learned that he was the dupe ofa large
gang of counterfeiters, who were
carrying on high-handed work. and
who were about to enter largely into
the business of counterfeiting green
backs, &c.
He was finally induced to enter
their plans, and found that he was
Kept almost a prisoner. He did a
/ great dealofthe most skillful work and
was concerned in the plate for which
the Government offered reward of
$40, 900. Finally he was arrested, con-
victed and sentenced to a term of u
years in the Ohio Penitentiary.
Ulrieh is a man of rare ability, of
pleasant address, and it is said has
that indefinable sort of personal mag
netism that enables men to exert so
strong an influence over other men,
He had not been long in prison before
he commenced operations to secure
his release. He managed to enlist
two guards in his favor and CORE
/ spondence was commenced with out
side friends to bring heavy pressure
for his pardon. Money was to be
freely used and all sorts of explana-
tions were to be made. The eorre-
spondence was intercepted, the plan
discovered and the guards discharged.
Ulrieh was placed on rough duty,
so that he could have no chance to
play his old game, and yet, by some
means, he secured an influence over
the foreman in one of the shops and
1 planned the escape of the convict
| Rowe, who was rolled out of prison in
barrel or hogshead. This plan did
not meet his antieipations, but he re-
fused to expose any one connected
with it.
His last effort was made on Satur-
day morning, and resulted, through
the action Ofone Ofthe parties concern
ed and the promptness of Captain
Cunningham, in complete failure.
UBich retained yesterday his
urbanity, and was disposed not to cry
over spilled milk. Counterfeiters
would have been willing to have paid
almost any amount for his release,
and as has been intimated, it is sup
posed that more than 5000 was con-
cerned and that several persons were
''sold" in the transaction.
The case, as it stands, possesses ex-
traordinary interest, not only on ac-
count Of the notoriety of Ulrieh, but
because of the unusual circumstances
attending the preparation for escape
and the unusual features of the con-
cluding act of the drama.