River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-12-23
Ross Tweed.

Inc mystery SURROUNDING lhS hiShb Va
Tweed hos not been penetrated by detec-
tives nor Sheriff's officers, if their state
ments can be accepted as true, but if
certain pending negotiations are success
full, or if Charles O'Connor survives,
there is reason to believe that Tweee's
temperance will not be long delayed.
1t is not believed that he is out Of the
city. Two years ago, when he was sur
rendered by his bondsman, Terrence Far
ley, he kept in hiding until another
bondsman could be secured IN lieu OF
Farley, and then made his appearance
with Charles Devlin as bondsman. 1t has
been suggested that he will return as
soon as bail could be procured, but 1t is
not matter OF bail which he wishes to
arrange.
The question Of general settlement
was pending when he took his Hight, and
he will not return until this is settled
Several months age a proposition was
made to Mr.. O'Conor to make a general
settlement of all the ring suits. Sweeny,
through his brother-in law, John j. Brad
ley, and it is supposed by advice of his
attorney; Richard Connolly, through his
son.n-law, Surrogate Hutchirgs; Genet,
through old friends, and Tweed for him
self, made proposition to restore certain
unknown millions in settlement Of the
claim of $6,000,000 for which suit
was brought against all and individual
members of the ring. There
were questions raised as to the character
Of some securities which were offered in
settlement. and much time was consumed
in determining the point. Mr.. 0Conor
was supposed to be favorable to the set
Element, thinking that the partial recov-
cry and Punishment Of the ring was pre-
ferable to any settlement likely to be
reached by any process of uncertain law.
Mr.. Peckham and Mr.. Barlow were natu.
rally opposed to any settlement of the
suits, which promised to run on Intern
inably, while Tweed lawyers had no OBJ
lection to some lengthy litigation. Mr..
0'Conor's counsels and influence sue
ceeded against his associates, and Tweed,
who had grown tired Of paying lawyers
fees, took the matter Of settlement into
his own hands.
The result was that the claim against
Sweeney, Genet, Conan, Connolly, Tweed,
and others, were about to be concluded,
when Charles O'Conor was taken i'll, and
reported to be on his death.bed. Tweed
felt, possibly he knew. that, in the event
of the death Of 0'Conor, no settlement
could be made, if he were in the power of
his antagonists, and he at once made ar.
rangements for fight, so as to force set.
Element. 1t is not believed by any Of the
officers Of the SheriRs office, that he is
thirty hours from the city. They think
he joined Genet in his hiding place, and
there awaits the result If 0Conor's i'll
ness. Ho will return if Mr.. 0'Conor
survives, and is willing to continue nego-
tiations, for the return of not only
Tweed's but Sweeney's and Connolly's
plunder; or, if Mr.. O'Cvnor dies, and
HE successors evince purpose to settle,
he will come back; if not, he will go
abroad, and make an end Of it there.
This theory NAV not be the true one,
but it is advanced by persons who have
the best opportunities Of knowing what
would be most natural for him to do,
surrounded as he was. The fact that the
ring jointly offered, some time ago, to re.
turn $4,000,000, gives the theory a GER
tain degree of FEASIBILITY. 1t is unlikely
that Tweed is outside Of the city limits.
Genet, who is supposed to have fled to
Europe, and who was reported to have
been in Belgium, was in the city last
week, and signed certain deeds Of impOr
lance. 1t is not unlikely that the Boss Of
all the ring rogues finds equal indulgence.
1t has been discovered that all the
bonds in the criminal indictments against
Tweed are void. CarelesSness in the
District Attorneys Office has made these
bonds read that indictments are brought
in the Court of General Sessions, whereas
it was decided two years ago by Recorder
llackett that the Sessions had no juris.
diction in the matter. 1t should read
Court of Oyer and Terminer. In conse.
quence, it will probably be decided that
all the bonds in the criminal indictments
against Tweed are void. This is fine
legal point, Of which Tweed was probably
aware before he made his disappearance.