Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-04-13
INDEPENDENCE IOWA, FRIDAY, APRIL 13. 1877

flight, Or had any part in its cxecu-
tion. Neither did they know of his
whereabouts at any time until it had
become necessary for him to com
mmicate with them after his arrrs;
in Cuba by the Spanish officials.
Tweed understood that he was to he
taken in charge by well organized
body Of men. distributed throughout
the country, having every facility,
their connections aud method being
thoroughly tested and well eStab-
lished. He was furnished with a
short key for telegraphic communica-
tion and one for postal facility. The
latter included system in inclos-
ures through five different envelopes,
with addresses at removed points.
He was to find occasion to visit his
house and deliver himself over secret
ly and unattended at his own door.
The execution of the agreement in
cludcd his landing in Spain or un.
der the Spanish flag and on Spanish
territory safely and secretly. He
was given the name of John Secor,
by which he was to be known to his
new connections, and his personal
identity and his own name was to be
concealed from all persons without
exception from the moment he pass
ed out of his own s;oop. The exlct
minute of departure was fixed at 8
o'clock in the evening. Not more
than one minute before, nor one min
ute after that hour exactly. The
time of his flight was left undeter
mine.l, but he was to visit his house
on certain days, and when the whole
train was ready, Il sign was to be
given by a certain mark upon the
stoop which he could see rs he as
cended the steps. Accordingly
Tweed took occasion to obtain from
the Sheriff and his keepers the usual
''priAilege Of the jailyard" to visit
his family, and transact some busl-
ness. Several such visits having
been made to his house at the usual
hour after dark, he secretly made
some preparations of personal mat
ters, and putting his business affairs
i'll AS good order as possible, finally
reached the 4th of December, 1875,
which proved the occasion pf his de
parture. On the evening IF tina,
day he was driven in the customary
hack attended by two keepers, to his
house. Ascending the stpop, he saw
the sign.
1t was about 1870 o'clock, and Il
ireary December evening. The sig
nal at once aroused him with "A start
ling shock, and, rs he descr bes the
occurrence, his blood and his nerves
were filled with an electrical excite
ment which thrilled every fibre of
his frame. Controlling himself with
some effort, he led his attendants to
their wonted and welcom. feast,
which on this occasion was amply
provided in the dining room. The
Keepers ate, and Tweed took care H.
so that they drank. At just the right
moment one Of the keepers arose and
went to the waShbaSin in the room
to wash his hands and get ready for
the usual cigar after dinner. Tweed
took the opportunity, rose also, and
said he would wash III an adjoining
room, he passed into the hall, closing
the door us he left the room. He
quickly took hat and coat and slip
ped out Of the front door. He was
II fugitive. He saw the hack before
the door without Il driver, who also
took advantage of the occasion in the
kitchen. Not person or sound ap,
peared to respond to his appoint
ment. 1t was not quite one minute
past 8 o'clock. He had stolen forth
from his home to place himself in
the hands and guidance Of 4 picket
ed gang of despcradoes. As he
shrank back under the shadow of the
Stoor, it seemed 70 him Il long period
of doubt aud self-eXamination, until
his attention was attracted by the
Disc of wheels, and he saw Il com
mon tradesman's wagon, such rs is
used by grocers and express drivers.
He saw also Il mans arm reach out
from the cover, which was a sign
that it was for him. AS he descend
ed the stoop he also saw Il man pass
ing slowly, which caused him to hes
llatc, but this person said in low
tone:
GALL RIGHT. GET INTO THE WAGON" !"
SO he scrambled into the covered
wagon, which drove quickly around
the block into Madison Avenue, but
us they got there, Il car having run
off the track, some mounted police
and passengers stood in the way, and
the fugitive was stopped for two or
three minutes. The wagon soon
started again, and drove zigzag
across the city toward North River,
which was soon reached, and, beside
II big truck on the pier, they stopped.
The driver said: "Get cut on the
river side" Tweel got out, seeing
that the truck covered him from ob-
Servalion as he alightcd. \ man
stood near the truck also, who .imdi-
Gated that Tweed was to descend i'll
to Il row-boat, in which he quickly
embarked, and crossed to the Jersey
side, where he was met by another
vehicle in waiting for him on the
shore road, when he was driven otf
into the region beyond the river and
palisades in direction and to II ter
min,tion where he had never been
before, and could.not now ascertain
or indicate. At an old farm house
Tweed was celved by another OF
his new found friends, and in this
refuge, disguised, he continued from
Dec. 4th until the first week in
March, ALWAYS under control ot the
two men vino had managed his es-
cape and contracted for his safety.
He did implicitly what they directe!
and they held him i'll hand like train
ers. He slept, he rose, he walked,
! he rode, ate aud drank only rs they
instructed him. And 1t may be re-
marked here that this discipline and
relation was maintained unit. he clos
ed his engagement with them salts
| t..,nr;l,, IN Einr;do When Tweed