The New York herald., 1877-03-19
A Pardoned Convict Attempts Burglary
TO Avoid Starvation.
"NoTHlNG ELSE LEFT FOR Me-
How an Honest Man Became a
Noted Criminal.
SCIENTIFIC SAFE-BREAKlNG EXPLAINED

Wall street wore Its usual Sunday morning dress Of
silence aud solemnity Tho usual number OF church
going pedestrians were proceeding TO their respective
churches, and an occasional policeman in sight
The time and place certainly not proptious Tor
tho committing Of burglary, aud mono but fool.
hardy criminal would attempt one under such crcum-
stances So reasoned oaicer Kennedy, OF the Church
street police as he wondcringiy watched shabbily
dressed m,ddlcagcd man suspicousy trying the doors
of the business houses within the shadow OF Trinity
Church. Tho tusged at the knobs, placed
bis shoulder to the doors, looked through the
kcyholes and examined the windows and gratings in
desperate efforts to effect an entrance.
He did not seem to particularly whether he was
noticed or not indeed he looked round once, and see
ing policeman watching him, renewed his efforts with
oven greater vigor than before.
"This is the oldest burglar ever saw" muttcred
tho officer, crossing over to tho strange man.
"HelIo, do you belong herer"
"No, ! don't," was the gruG and emphatic answer.
"Then arrest you on the charge OF attempted bur.
glary," said tho mystihed ocer placing his hand on
tho mans shoulder.
.'You struck It right that time" said the man non.
challeny, ~ was attempting burglary you caught
me in the act."
Tho seeming satisfaction with which the words were
uttered only increased tho policeman astonshmcnt,
and he hurried his prisoner to the Tombs Police Court
as anxious to get so strange customer off his hands
Whom the prisoner arraignod at the bar therc
were present on the Bench Judge Kibreth, Alderman
Morris and DR.. Elisha Harris. Onlcer Kennedy took
the stand and sworo that he caught the prisoner
Christian Hanson attempting to feloniously enter the
premises Nos ILL., lis and lis Broadway, al niteen
minutes past ten O'Clock in the morning.
The prisoner stood upright and listened In silence
the charge. In appearance he auout nifty years Of
20 hei nd prOn NJ
His cheeks pale and sunkon, showing mistak-
able evidence OF physical suffering. His eyes
bright and his countenance was one OF intelligence
His clothing consisted OF torn and ragged coat PAN
falcons with large holes in the knees, dIapidated hat
ana shoes we'll nigh soeless.
ASTONISHING THE COURT.
"Hanson." said tho magistrate, "you are charged
with attempted burglary; what have you 10 says"
81 am guilty" quickly responded tho prisoner. in .
strong Danish accent ~ did II 50 that I would be
sent TO State Prison."
'And why do you want to go to State Prison, Chris.
tians" asked the Judge in astonishment
The man hung his head and seemed for o moment
disinciined to answer, but encouraged by a kindly
word looked up and SAID with earnestness that was
deeply Impressive
'Judgo, I have only just come from Columbus Ohio,
where served ten years in State Prison tor burglary
was pardoned out by Governor Hayes, President
OF the United States Ny original sentence for
twenty years. My lilo is wasted and am wreck.
God knows intended when | came out OF prison
to live an honest life pardoncd out ON tho 5th
OF Inst month. went TO Cincinnati and tried 10 get
work. but iailod. From therc went to Pittsburg and
met with bettor success Then trampod II all tho
way 10 New York, whero had friends, trying to get
work from farmers the way, sleeping whcre got
opportunity and eating whenever charitable per-
son gave me crust My friends here who know me
before was criminal refuse to recognize me-
can't got work have lived In the gutter and been
kicked about | dread to kill myself and so with the
horrors OF prison life still before me am Obliged to 90
back. Thcre Is nothing else left for me.
The sympathies Of all who heard the earnest words
Of the broken down man were deeply touched by tho
recital Alter fur!her questions the Judge ordered
him to stop aside until after the adjournment OF the
court when his case would be disposed or
While tho prisoner was thus waiting HERALD re.
porter questioned him as 10 the leading incidents OF
his eventiul HE Hs gave them freely, concealng
nothing except tho names OF his associates
81 was born,' said hc, "in Copenhagen, Denmark,
In 1884 My parents poor but respectable people,
Ing Of The advantages Of tho Now World came 10
America In 1852 landing IN New York. Two days
aitcrward enlisted in Company X, Seventh voun.
tccrs, and went to war; | served In several engage
mcnts and was under Generals Grant and Meade. l
wounded IN the shoulder before Richmond. After
tho war | went 10 Cincinnati and obtained employ.
mont as a laborcr on a railroad. Up 10 this time
! was an honest man. Losing my employment
nati where fell In with gang OF burglars Being
out Of work listened to their proposals 10 join thor
number. They had plenty OF money aud got to
drinking, and l became ono OF them. Our first Job
the robbing OF the First National Bank OF Cincn-
NATL at the corner OF Walnut and Fourth streets. We
got S4OO 900 In United States bonds and $4,000 in
grcenbacks.
"we, you want to know how the JOB was done,
ehf Wo hired basement adjoining the bank, giving
it OUT that we wanted II for saloon On tho tenth
day aferward We had everything In readiness, and
tho night OF February 3, 1866. we cut hole through
the wall into the basement OF tho bank building and
then dug our way through the ceiling to where the
sale was. A. this point the bank watchnan came
upon u.s. but and another OF the ga ng quickly bound
and gagged him. We then blew open the safe. The
concussion stopped the clock 1t was halipast three
"what tools did you use In drilling tho holes"
GOOD cracksmcn don't usctools," answered tho
burglar 'l'I show you how to blow open any safe in
safe"
private room, and tho writer acquainted tho
with tho prisoners proposal "By all means, said
hc ''let us learn" and In moment the room was
filed with spectators
now sArEs ARE BLOWN OPEN
The prisoner knelt beside the safe, which was
"Look, " said he, ''at this door II tits tightly
that 40 instrument be introduced IN tho cracks
and powder cannot be inserted. SO far good Tho
burglar" continued no, smply sticks putty all along
the cracks except placcs ono al tho top OF tho
door and one at tho bottom, where he leaves about an
inch o. space uncovered oy tho putty Al the lower
which is the better way, or by his mouth The
N"C"um ofc"tcu III tHc shie uIaWs IN the pOWucr
through tho small crack below. Tho entire work does
not occupy moro than Avc minutes"
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