Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-08-03

FELL-HIs WORK FOR AND WITH THE
BURGLARs-wH HE WENT BACK ON HIS
PALS.
That Edison, the locksmitb, who testified
in the recent trials of Scott and Dunlap at
Northampton, Is an unmiilgated scoundrel,
is generally admitted, in fact the "ayes"
have IL on this question unanimously. Yet
there was a time when he was as steady
and reliable as any skilled mechanic in the
land, and earning n comfortable and honest
living. The pressure brought to bear upon
him to induce him TO aid the bank robbers
began four years ago and was very great,
SO powerful that Edison finally yielded, and
once In the net had no means of getting
out had no been so disposed, which is not
likely.
q In 1873 Edison kept horse and stabbed II
with Jenkins and Ryan in New York. He
had known Jenkins previously and used
TO spend many evenings at the stable talk
ing on various topics with the little knot OF
people usually gathered there, aud finally
he became intimate with Ryan, who bad
ascertained what business Edison was en-
gagged in. Ryan suggested TO him several
times that he must have great many OPP.
portunities to make money If he were so
disposed. Edison understanding his mean
ing made little If any answer TO these hints
and Billy Corners was introduced TO him
by Ryan. In August, 1873, Billy,-who,
by the way, is not Otis Philips, former
Boston and Albany railroad employe, as
many have supposed, asked Edscn If he
did not want TO make a large sum OF mon
ey, and how TO pick "Hal" lock. Edison
protested to know of no way in which
"Hall' lock could be picked, although Con-
ners told him If lie would accomplish this
he could make from $50, 600 to $4,000. Ed
son remained stubborn and they parted.
Again Corners sought him aud urged upon
him the benefits to be derived from giving
this infor nation, and again Edison persist
ed that be did not know how 10 do such
job. Corners saw Edison again, soon after,
at Ryan's stables, and after going over the
old story about the Halls" lock, unfold
ed his plan. lie said he wished TO gain ac-
cess to the room of the Young Mems Chris
lian Association, at Elmira, N. Y, which
was located directly over the vault Of the
Second National bank. The entrance TO
the room was protected by a tire-proof iron
door, on which was "Hall" lock. After a
long argument, in which Edson's pride as
locksmilh received some severe thrusts by
Corners, Edison consented TO go and see
what could be done with the lock, but up
on reflection changed his mind and refused
TO do anything about the matter.
Corners visited him once more aud Ed
son fatty told him he was unable TO do the
work desired. A few nights amer Ryan,
the stable man, called and asked Edison to
go and see Corners, who was waiting for
him near Fortieth street. Edison declined
at first but at last was persuaded to go and
talk with Corners, saying as he went, at
is Of no use, l will not assist him in this
matter" Corners was found on Seventh
| avenue, near Fortieih street, and the trio
| adjourned TO a lager beer saloon. Here
Ryan and Corners urged upon Edison the
| practicabiliiy OF robbing the Elmira bank
If they could only get into the room of the
Young Mems Christian Association. There
should be, they said, no risk whatever to
Edison, as lie would not be engaged in the
actual robbery, and they would give him
| $50, 900 for the information desired about
the Hall lock, or an equal share in the pro-
ceeds of the robbery. Corners said the
bank was supposed to have $500, 900 in mon =
ey and bonds, and there was no question
| but what they could open the safes If they
had sufficient time to work in. Edison fin
ally yielded, and from that moment was a
ruined man. Corners knowing Edson's
wea kness in regard to his ability as a lock-
smith, began rallying him, saying he didn't
believe amer all that be was smart enough
TO open Hall" lock. Edison replied that
he would show them mighty quick that he
could do it, and the party proceeded to
| Corners faro rooms on Houston street,
where Edison operated on a Hall lock at
tached 10 an iron door, and practically IL
| Illustrated the fact that a Hall lock could he
cheat"
1t was arranged that Corners should go
to Elinira, write 10 Mr. Herring that he
wished TO purchase a safe and Edison would
probably be sent 10 Elmira TO make the
sale. This plan worked. Arriving at Ell
mira, Edison went TO the Rathbun house
where he met a man calling himself Bish-
| on, being no other than "Bob" Scott, now
languishing in Northampton Jail. How TO
| get at the Hall lock over the bank was a
| question which was settled by arranging
that Scott should 90 up to the room and in
sert some hard paper wadding into the
wards of the lock. Bob accomplished this
feat one night, and Edison, who, during his
brief stay, had taken pains to have 1t
known that he was a Herring locksmith,
saunteied slowly by the bank the next day.
or course he was called in TO fix the Hall
lock. The key was given him, of which
he made an impressions in wax, and Ed
son, simply removing the paper wadding
with small pick, opened the door. Later
Scott and Corners told Edison that they had
been trying for months to get possession of
the key 10 this lock, and although they had
broken into the house of the man who car
ried the key many times and searched his
| pockets, they were never able to discover
| it, but came near being discovered them
selves on one occasion. Edison informed
| Scott and Corners that the vault of the FL
mira bank was remarkably strong, and as
Herring had an air pump for blowing in
| powder, Edison was induced to have du-
| plicate made of it on the sly, and explain
how TO use IT. This illustration was given
on the safe at Corners gambling rooms,
Jim Dunlap and John Berry being present.
The Elmira bank, it will be remembered,
was robbed, and the thieves escaped, ex-
cept Berry, who gave his name as Henry
Myers, when arrested, and now Edison,
having taken the first step, was easily man
aged. An agreement was entered into that
if, at any time during his travels about the
country, he should see bank which could