The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-14
SING SING SPEAKS.
Astounding Disclosures Regarding the
Plot to Liberate COnVicts.
STORY OF A WAX IMPRESSION.
VIVA! The Examination OF Tilly Miller and
Her C0liederates Has Evolved
A KEEPER TURNS STATES EVIDENCE

The light OF truth is at length dawning on the
hitherto lmpenetrable mystery surrounding the
facility With Wiich convctS have Tor some time
past escaped from sing sing Prison, and the sus-
pcions long entertained regarding the venality of
subordinate officers OF that institution have now
been abundantiy verified
Since the recent discoveries by New York detec-
tives, pointing to plot lor the Liberation OF certain
jabirds from the prison named, Warden HubbeI
and his confidential assistants have been busily
though quietly, working up the case,n in the
firm belief that some OF the co-conspirators were
among the employees VINO had sworn TO assist in
main lainlng order and discipline among the
inmates. Their efforts were crowned with sue
cess day or two ago. when woman named
Ayies living in the village Of Sing Sing was dis
covered, who mad accidentally witnessed trans.
action last August when, although appearing
trivial at the time, has now assumed most I'M
portant aspect, furnishing. as IL does, key TO
much in the way OF escapes that has heretofore
seemed incomprehensole. This person, while in
store at The village named acquaintance
named john Clubhouse, young man of about
twenty-four, and at That time employed as a
keeper in sing sing Prison, purchase some
BEEsWAX AND OIL.
On her playfuly asking hun what he intended
doing with the articles he smiingly told her not to
be too nqulstive. Having been sent for by
Warden Huboell who asked him Tor an explana-
ton OF the suspicious circumstance Clubhouse con-
lessed that he had aided i'll the escape OF William
Miller and James Brady during the month OF Octo.
Der last, and expressed his Willingness to 80 be-
fore the authorities and make "clean breastn
! OF the whole affair. Clubhouse also implicated
William Many, who was then and up to yesterday
guard at the prison. As Will be seen
4 below the testimony Of the inlormer, Clubhouse,
embraces some astounding disclosures. not the
least significant among which is his unblushing
acknowledgements OF having been paid $1,000 In
I mlhlment OF a bargain made by him to assist Mil
1 ler and Brady in getting away.
THE FEMALE CONSTRUCTOR.
Around the woman lilly Miller, alias Myers,
whose indelatigible efforts for the release OF her
husband and his friends have already been
related in these columns, the shadows of
the same gloomy abode, where he still reluctantly
rests since his recapture, already gathering.
In the Grand Jury room OF the Court House ut
White Palms. Westchester county, yesterday. she
had an examination before Justice Ferris u
charge OF aiding and abetting convIcts to escape.
Mrs. Miller, having been brought from the county
jail by Deputy Sheriff Ford, tripped lightly in the
crowded apartment indicated, and smiling CO.
quetLsh recognition on few friends present,
gracefully a suosiaed in "a chair chair adoin-
prisoner was iasnionably attired, and no one, to
look upon her elaborate appearance and volatile
boudOir from which she had just emerged was the
j rude cell OF common IAN. She Is apparently
ABOUT twenty eight years old and by no means de-
void OF personal attractions. During the proceed
| lngs
gathered on her brow, when Henry Smith, who
was arrested III Houston street about the same
time as the locksmltn ssearer Testified 70 ms
remembered. was the party who hrst Went with
Mrs. Miller to steurer's shop and made the en-.
rnYQrf ms hi pSf
? ss
the guards clubhouse, and many who were brought
ovef on warrants Issued Tor tneir arrest and who,
4 after the examination, were committed the
County jan. The following embraces the sub
stance Of the testimony thus lar elicIted:-
TESTIMONY OF HENRY SMITH.
! Henry Smith, the whiom confederate OF the
accused mrs. Miller, testified that he knew the
prisoner; IN AUGUST las ne went with her to
beer saloon while she went next door 10 The
locksmitns shop Of John S-eurer; the prisoner and
loon and had a conversation which he did not
hear; did not know the prisoner went to see
steurer she told witness that she wanted to get
something fixed; about two weeks afterwards
witness met the prisoner again. ana they both went
70 the same locksmitn's place; AZ that time she
she wanted to have 1t shortened; aon't
0w Where se WHEY KEY
hxed about the latter part oi August; witness met
4 WANTED TO SEE FRIEND
ana her husband who were in Sing Sing Prison;
going up there; witness went with ner, and he
noticed that she carried a small vallse;
sse a. pa s sns u,o dS not an 60 had 10
some beer; this was about seven or eight
O'Clock IN the evening; she said II was NICE
moonlight night and asked me to get q boat and
| give her row on the river; got boat and pulled
down the stream ABOUT hall mile to q spot below
the prison, where we landed Tor minute or
/ two and then pulled back; we some
lights and became alarmed; there must have
versation with anybody; we, then rowed up
past the prison ana stopped at lumber
PAPER Pap az dd not Know What Il was; think it was
! lever; did NOT see 1t unwrapped did not observe
it before 1t was in the boat; do not know where
she concealed 1t on the way up 10 Sing sing; think
4 l saw key with her at sing Sing; she said al-
ludng to the newspaper package), That thing is
too heavy ana added that she had no use Tor IT.;
she then told me to put 1t
UNDER THE LUMBER PILE;
threw It there carelesSy as she had asked; she did
not carry the heavy package IN her vailse; lt
weighed about eight pounds; we lefs the boat at
the LANDING anu loo5 A., the mianignt tpsn i9r New
friend that night; 1t was not intended to assist
her husband to escape on the evening went with
| her; merely went to keep her company; she paid
! the largest share OF the expense.
/ WHAT THE WARDEN SAYS.
| Gaylord Il. Hubbell, Agent and Warden OF Sing
Sing Prison, testified that the key then presented
TO MIN was one oil the Keys OF the prison. IL Is the
key to gallery No. 10, and fits nifty locss; has seen
a duplicate OF the Key at me PRISON; it was used
Tor unlocking the same locks; no person TO my
knowledge effected an escape from the prison Dy
the use OF the key shown; Miller effected MS escape
from the prison on the night Of October ~, 1873,
with another man named Brady; do not see
any articles here which they lett be-
hind them; found JacSscrcw at, at the
window OF the prison through which they are
supposed to have escaped: the wrench or lever TO
work the jackscrew with was found outside OF the
prison, on the ground the impression shown me
Il an exact Impression OF this key; nave seen the
prisoner at the prison; 1t was some time before
| that; by rule she came there once In three
months; there are lumoer yards about the prison
TO which the cOnvlcts have access: the key now
produced was brought mere by Mr.. Gaylord.
one of the Keepers; has never
been out OF the prison authorities possession;
there is no way that Mrs. Miller could get posses.
sion of this KEY except through dishonest
offical she mas not had an opportunity to get this
impression at the prison; there lisa duplicate or
this Key at the prison; 1t was found on prisoner
who attempted to escape, and that was before the
escape OF Miller; he Iiller) did not escape with