The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-04-06

Mem DIRK, April 3.-HGr'DeT'e Ustk.
" for tomorrow will publish an Illus
trated article describing the flight and
exile Of william N. Tweed. Following
are the chief points OF the story:
The approaching trial OF the great six
million suit against Tweed Threatened IA
demand upon his cash resources Tor fees
which he plainly saw he should fail 10
answer. His remaining possessions
were not available TO raise ready money;
and credit, especially with lawyers. was
out Of the question His money gone.
his courage BROKE down also. aud he re-
solved on fight as remedy for his
bankruptcy and his hopeless imprison-
ment. Having lost the great judges and
lawyers Of the court he had created and
controlled, he found himself forced to
fall back upon their clients. his fellow
prisoners in jail. Tweed's messmate in
Ludlow street Jail was Charley Lawrence,
the silk smuggler, whose cxtradtlon led
70 the abrogation of the treaty with
England. From him Tweed learned all
the necessary details Of the existing treat
les and laws on the subject. and, having
concluded upon flight, he resolved TO
reach Spain, az
THE MOST EXrEDITNT sHJLIEg.
in view OF the absence OF any eXtradition
treaty with that country. Another OF
the inmates of the Ludlow-Street Prison
was prisoner OF many professional aliases
who has since been lodged in a Peniten-
tiary In Vermont. He is best known by
the name of Bliss" aud was the engin-
Ger of the extraordinary Northampton
bank robbery. He was also profession
ally" engaged in the famous Washington
safe burglary. This person lodged on
the upper floor, and had approached
Pweed With proposal TO avail himself
oithe removal Of the iron-gratings of
his window, which was on the ground
floor, ana which would.
ENABLE THEM BOTH TO ESCAPE,
The whole matter TO be managed from
the outside by associates OF Bliss. The
prop~~itsva tsal st first been laughed ~
by Tweed, but meeting his 'proies-
sional' neighbor daily in the court yard
OF the Jail, where they took exercise, the
subject was more definitely discussed, and
outside friends OF the proies sional being
called in, Tweed was persuaded
OF the pTacticablliiy OF plan which they
presented, and Tor the execution OF which
he agreed 10 pay stipulated sum. No
member Of the bar, nor his counsel, nor
any friend or person whatever OF his pre-
flight, or had any part in its execution.
Neither did they know Of his whereabouts
al any time until il had become neces-
gary for him to communicate with them
after his arrest in Cuba by the Spanish
officials. Tweed understood that he was
TO be taken In charge by
wELL-oRGANIzED BODY OF MEN.
Distributed throughout the country,
N
and method being thoroughly tested and
well-estabished. He was furnished
with a short key for telegraphic commu-
nication, and one tor postal facility.
The latter includes system OF inclos-
ures through five different envelopes, with
addresses at removed points. He was
TO find occasion 10 visit his house and de-
liver himself over secretly and unattend-
ed at his own door. The execution of
the agreement included his landing in
Spain or under 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
connect tons ,andh is personal identity and
his own name were TO be concealed from
all persons without exception from the
moment he passed out fins own stoop.
The exact minute of departure was
fixed at S o'clock In the evening, nor
more than one minute before or one
minute after that hour. The time OF his
flight was left undetermined, but he was
TO visit his house on certain days, and
when the whole train was ready,
SIGN WAS TO BE GIVEN
BY certain mark upon the stoop which
he would see as he assembled the steps.
Accordingly, Tweed took occasion to OBJ
tain IRON the Sheriff and his keepers the
usual privilege OF the Jail yard to visit
his family and transact some business
Several such visits having been made to
his house at the usual hour after dark, lie
secretly made some preparation OF per-
sonal matters, and putting his business
affairs in as good order as possible, IL
nslly reached the 4th of December, 1875
which proved the occasion of his depar-
ture. On the evening Of that day he was
driven in the customary hack,
attended by two keepers, TO
his house. Ascending the stoops,
he SAW THE SIGN
1t was about half-past Z O'Clock and
a dreary December evening. The signal
at once aroused him with a startling
shock, and Gas he describes the occur.
renee his blood and his nerves were
filled with an electrical excitement which
thrilled every fibre OF his frame. Con.
trolling himself with some effort, he led
his attendants to their wonted and well
come feast, which on this occasion was
amply provided in the dining room. The
keepers ate, and Tweed took care also
that they drank. At just the right mo-
ment, one of the keepers rose and went
to a wash-basin in the room TO wash his
hands and get ready for the usual cigar
after dinner. Tweed took the Opportu.
nifty, rose also, and, saying he would
wash in an adjoining room, he passed in
to the hall. closing the door as he left
the room. He quickly took the first hat
and coat, and slipped out OF the door.
HE WAS FUGITIVE.
He saw the hack before the door with
out a driver, who also took advantage OF
the occasion in the kitchen. Not a per-
son or SCUM appeared to respond to his
appointment. 1t was not quite one
minute past s.. He had stolen trOln his
home to place himself IN the hands aud
guidance Of picketed gang of desper.
ADDE'S. As he shrunk back under the
shadow Of the stOop, II seemed to him
long period OF doubt and self-examina.
ton, until his attention was attracted by
a noise OF wheels, and he saw q common
BRIDESMAIDS wagon, such as Ia used by
grocers and express drivers. He saw al.
so mans arm reach out from q cover.
which was the sign that
IT WAS FOR HIN.
As he descended the stOop he also saw
a man passing slowly, which Caused him
to hesitate, but this person said In low