Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-04-21
MILES Ri~ES SO EXPLAIN.
The Story of the Chief BurRlar-Ar
Interesting Letter to VIZ. Knott.

The Story of the Chief Bur& lar-An
interesting Letter to WIZ. Knott.
WASHINGTON. April l6.-Tho follow
ing letter from burglar Miles, who
was nsed in the safe burglary couspir-
acy, was received by Mr.. Kuott a few
days since:
WINDSOR PRISON, VT. April 10, 1876.
Dear. Sir You will pardon the lib
erty take in dropping you this note,
[ trust, when I state that | feel / have
borne the stigma of that nefarious
Washington safe burglary affair al
ready too long. I take this means to
state to you the following facts: am
the principal patty engaged in and
present at the blowing open of the safe
in the district attorneys office on the
night of April "a, 1874. In the month of
March of that year I was sent for by
Colonel Whitley, then chief of the
secret service division, detective de-
partment, and by him told there was
an investigation then going on rs to
the District affairs at Washington, and
he wished me to see Nettleship and go
to Washington and see if It was not
possible to do something to break the
force of this investigation; that prom
inent officials there we're involved, and
that if would go on there would be
we'll paid, &c. I met Nettleship sew
eral times in New York and finally
went to Washington and met him
there. He introduced me to Harrir g.
ton, with whom I canvassed over the
matter, and finally agreed to do the
job on the oath; but, as the time ap-
preached. Nettleship began to show
the white feather, so much so that
did not feel warranted in proceed
ing further in the matter with
ont some further assurances OF
protection, not wishing to embark III
job of that nature without being
fully assured of his protection. This
was finally promised by Harrington
Evans and Babcock. then went
| ahead and did the job, but as they
| wished to make a sort of Fourth Of
July affair of it thu matter became
very much mixed up; however,
carried out my part of the contract tc
the letter. 1 see Nettleship and Mix
Hays have given you their version Of
the affair, but as they took good care
to place themselves safely in New
York when the job was to be done
they cannot give you any Of the detail.
of that nights work. In fact there i
no one that can but myself. The maj
(Benton) who was with me was no
knowing to the details, and ali that hi
done was under my direction. ] an
familiar with the details of the entir,
job, also with all that has been done il
the matter sub sequent. and had
net have worked like beav
and done very much dirty work, th.
result of that safe burglary trial would
bave been quite different. I have don,
all and much more than what agreed
to do. On their part. they have no
paid me as per agreement, b"side'
several other promises they made ant
which they have since broken. Hac
they done for me in July last what
asked, and which was not the one hun
dred and fiftieth part of what hat
done for them, l would not to day b.
here in prison, and this is not til,
worst feature in the affair. I learl
that they have secretly connived at t.
keep me here with a view to getting
me out of the way. AS now wish t.
relieve my shoulders of this scanda
lous affair aud place it at the door o
those to whom 1t rightfully belongs,
am at your service if I can, in an,
manner, assist your honorable com
m ttee in further,ng the ends of jus
tlce. | remain your obedient servant
G. E. MILLS.