The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-02
BABBITT,s BOOKKEEPER.
Out Of One Prison into Another-His Plot
TO Escspe-His Bopdsnien.

Charles II. Beckwith, who was the conf
dental bookkeeper OF Il. T. Babbitt, the wealthy
soap manufacturer, VS. arrested on the "a OF Jan-
uary last, on a warrant charging that he had en-
bezzled large sum OF money from his mployer.
He was locked up in Tombs cell, and
almost daily visited by his wife. No more
troublesome prisoner, with tho exception Of
william J. Sharkey, has ever been in the prison.
His fellow prisoners despised him, and he was
heartily disliked by the keepers. He was AFRO
CANT and insulting, ana prone 10 speaking III OF
all with whom he came In contact. He attempt
ed on several occasions to play the crazy
dodge" and was laughed at for his folly 10y
those around him. He was never ready for
trial, and his counsel displayed no anxiety to
hurry the case into the courts.
Within the past few weeks he has complained
that condne In a TOmbs cell was under
mining his health, and DR.. brekes the city prison
physician, signed a certificate TO this effect.
Beckwith asked for privileges that could not be
safely accorded him, md he made desperate
ed. Milton II. Thompson, OF III Gene see street,
Utica, n. Y, aud Andrew J. Smith, President OF
the Manhattan Insurance Conn ny OF this city
signing as his bondsmen In 100000 each Mr..
Thorn pson is the same man that figured in the
Mrs. Josephne Mccarthy SHOOTING arair that
ted on the trial that she shot Mr.. Henry Hall,
her nephew, but said, " killed the wrong man
] intended to XIII Milton Thompson" When
she was discharged by the Court the spectators
cheered her, and we'll allied purse WAC present.
Beckwith was in Thompson's insurance once
In Utica for twelve years. aud was highly recon-
mended to Mr.. Babbtt by Thomson, who Ia a
distant relative of Mr. Rabbits family. Al the
time OF the shooting Beckwith was making hts
largest raids upon the bank accounts OF the
soap manufacturer. The bookkeeper excited
bad feeling between the Thompsons and the
Rabbits, and retained the friendship OF the
1hompsons.
The District Attorney said that he was ready
for trial at once. but ex-Judge Fullerton urged
that IL be put over until the September term.
An order OF arrest In IA civil suit against Beck
with was In the Sherifs hands, and bail
had been fixed at 100000 by Judge Donohue.
The bail was accepted in the criminal suit, and
Beckwith was arrested in the District Attorneys
ofice by Sherin's deputy. 1t was understood
between Mr.. Phelps and the Sheriff that the
prisoner should he transferred to the Tombs
authorities whenever the case is ready for trial
in the General Sessions Beckwith was much
disappointed when he saw that he must go to
Ludlow street jail. He offered a deputy sheriff
$3.50 II that Officer would take him In coacn
with his wife through Central Park and thence
to Stetson's TO dinner. After that he wished to
be taken 10 some hotel where he might have
two or three hours conversation with his wife.
Major VIM. II. Quincy, the order-of arrest clerk,
imperatiyely ordered the deputy TO take Beck
with direct to Ludlow street Jail
The experts who are examining Mr.. Bahbitt's
books have SO Tar discovered that Beckwith
embezzlcd 800, CO.,