National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-03
AN ESCAPED CONVICT.
Rscspturs Of Sing Sing PriSOnsr-An Inter
eatinQ Case.


Yesterday morning Detectives Sargent and Me-
EIfresh, while standing In the LOBBY Of WillArd's
hotel, noticed Q welI-dressed and genteel-looking
young man enter, carrying in his hand small
Vslise. He walked directly to the ONCE and with
out asking any questions, registered In bold,
legible hand the name James Young. He was at
once Informed that there was no room for him,
Ebbitt house, whittier he was soon followed by
the officers, and on glancing at the register they
brief walk changed his name, without ceremony,
from Dung TO Brown, and under the latter title
had beer assigned Q room in the hotel.
This looked SO suspicious that they concluded
to lock after him little, and they awaited until
he reappeaaed in the lobby, and then imagined
that they had seen him before; He. however sc,S,
him. His first stopping place was at the store Of
Mr.. Stinemetz, where he had his tile troned;
thence into the store Of Mr.. Gautier, where he In
formed the proprietor that he wished to walt q
few moments to meet friend. He loitered in the
store awhile, but the friend not appearing he
Mr.. Thomas Russell, where he repeated the story
and request BY this time the officers had made
up their minds that he was not all all right and
After short chat they stated their business to
be to arrest him as a suspicious character. At
this he became highly indignant, and In words
polite but fOrcisle Informed them that they
should be made to suffer for the indignity offered
him. Bluff, however, would not work, and they
quarters. There Chief Clarvoe was interviewed,
and he, too, thought that he had seen the man
before, or somebody that looked like him. The
rogues' gallery was consulted, and the question
soon settled. The gentleman proved to be Law
renee Brown, alias Billy Smith, notorious thief
and an escaped convict from Sing Sing prison.
Confronted with this evidence OF his identity, he
modify acknowledged he was the party. As his
career has been in some respects remarkable
one, the following may prove Of interest. Brown
is about thirty-sX years Of age, medium height,
we'll built has dark, curly hair and eyes, regular
and pleasant features and an excellent presence.
He was born in Lowell, Mass, and educated in
the State. After leaving school he was employed
but becoming disspated, he was discharged, and
started for New York 70 make living. After
the breaking out of the war he came to this city
and enlisted in the ID regiment District volun-
teers, commanded by Colonel =. NJ; Alexander,
and served until they were mustered out.
While in the service he was we'll liked by all
with whom he associated. Being naturally smart
he made considerable money while in the army,
which he spent freely with the boys; and when
his term expired be again returned to New York
After knocking about there for some time with
Indifferent success, he fell in with Q gang Of
thieves and made success Of his new calling; so
much so that he had worked" the hotels In that
city for more than q year without detection, and
when he was finally captured there was not
enough evidence to convict him. He continued
stealing, however, until about two years ago,
when he fell in with Collector Casey, at Saratoga
and followed him from there to his hotel in New
York city and robbed him Of over 5000 This
time he was captured by the New YORK officers,
tried, convicted, and sentenced to five years in
Sing Sing. After serving eighteen months he
escaped from that institution, January Is, 1875,
and has since been travelling through the country.
Major Richards, as soon as his Identity was
proven, telegraphed the New YORK 9theials and
take charge Of him. So 1t is probable he will be
returned to his old quarters before TO- morrow
night. He says that he dislikes to 90 back be-
cause after q man escapes and is recaPtured the
prison discipline, always hard, is about doubled;
prospect he hates to even think OF.