The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-01
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A Circusnstantia account ortfs Atse,nps
to steal tine Msrtyred Presidents Re-
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A letter from Chicago furnishes the
following particulars of the recent at
tempt to burglarize the tomb of the late
President Lincoln -uAH
The arrest of two of the participants
i'll the recent attempted desecration of
the tomb OF Abraham Lincoln mas
brought to light the history of scheme
unparalleled in the history of crime.
The parties arrested are Jack Mullins,
alias Terence, and one Jack Hughes, a
notorious counterfeiter, who has followed
the business successfully for the past
ten years or more. They expected in the
first place to secure from the Monument
Association, if not from the Govern
ment, large sum of money, and obtain,
in the second place, the pardon of the
notorious Ben Boyd, now serving out q
sentence of ten years in the Joliet
prison. The den kept by Mullins and
one Cornelius, his partner, in this city,
is known as the club, and generally
andother desperate characters. Thisplace
Detective Tyrrell, of the United States
Secret Service, had under surveillance,
and, in order to ascertain who made the
Hub" resort, he called to his as
sistance ga roper" by the name of
Swegles. For some times Mullins and
Hughes fought shy of Swegles, but
finally admitted him to confidence after
being assured by detective of the Cen
trail station that the youth was one Of
the greatest horse thieves in the country.
Having obtained this assurance they
commenced sounding Swegles, and final
ly entrusted him with the plot.
Having fully tested Swegles, as they
believed, and dismissed all suspicious
of his fealty, they eventually unfolded
their plan to carry off the remains of
Mr.. Lincoln from Springfield, and
thereby not only secure the pardon of
Boyd from Joliet, but also obtain from
the Federal or State Government some
100000 or more for a return of the
relics. While apparently lending him
self to the plans OF the conspirators, Swe-
giles was in consultation with friendly
lawyer, Mr.. Deane, through whom the
plot was comm Lnicated to Robert Lin
coin, Mr.. SWEET, Col. Stuart and the
Chief of the Secret Service at Washing
ton. Swegles was directed to go on
with the conspirators, and in the mean
time necessary measures would be taken
to prevent the contamination OF the
fendish plot anti secure the persons of
the tomb-violatvrs. After many secret
conferences the conspirators finally fixed
upon election night for the dissertation
of the tomb.
Although a person had been sent
down one week in advance to recon
hotter, the principals in the scheme de-
sired the assistance of fourth man.
Swegles cunningly managed to have this
matter left to himself. He selected a
man named Brown, but the latter would
have nothing to DO with the business
until assured that Swegles was acting
under proper advice. Having secured
the necessary tools, and arranged plan
whereby negotiations might be opened
for return of the remains when a re
ward should be forthcoming, tho pa: ty
left this city on Monday evening via the
st. Louis train. Through an under
standing with Swegles, Brown, having
first shown himself to Mullins and
Hughes, left the train at Burlington
crossing, and proceeded no further.
Having reached Springfield, during the
course of the day Hughes and Swegles
paid visit to the cemetery and took a
look at the tomb. Having returned to
Mullins and explained how the body was
confined, he produced a lengthy bag,
explaining that in case the casket proved
too heavy to carry away, they wonld
burst it open, double the body up and
carry it away in the bag. Detective
Tyrrell had kept the would-be despoilers
constantly in view and held daily con-
ferences with Swegles and Mr.. Deane.
Having seen the conspirators off for the
scene of their depreciation, he, accom-
panied by Elmer Washburn and q
couple of Pinkerton's men, followed on
and took the necessary steps to battle
and secure the burglars. In the dusk of
the evening the officers drove out to
Oak Ridge. Having sent the carriage
back, they proceeded to Memorial Hall on
foot and were admitted by Mr.. Power,
who has charge of the place. Having
secured admission, preparations were
made for the reception of the burglars.
The door of the catacomb containing
the sarcopaghus faces south, and that of
the hall in the contrary direction, the
distance between the entrances being
something more than 100 feet. 1t was
deemed best to remain indoors and give
the robbers no sign of their presence.
A sentry was posted in the labyrinth in
the rear, with orders to report any noise
he might hear in the tomb. About 9
o'clock the light of "bull's eye" was
flashed into the hall and voice ex-
claimed, "All is right" This remark
was made by Swegles, and served to an
nounce to the officers that the party were
to begin work. Hughes also came to
the door, and was recognized by the
officers standing back in the dark. After
satisfying themselves that all was right
within the hall, the burglars proceeded
to the tomb, and after much difficulty
succeeded in effecting an entrance.
Operations were begun at once by pry-
ing off the upper lid of the sarcophagus
and then starting the under one with an
ak and chisel. In the meantime the SEN
tinel on duty in the labyrinth hearing a
grating sound succeeded by several dull
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