The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-04
TwEED's ESCAPE.


Alhi per % w ethly 10 UlpTTOW Will PUBLISH
carefully compiled account OF Tweeds
flight and exile, written from a diary kept
by Tweed. 1t sets forth that the unfounded
announcement of the death of Charles
O'Conor, who was conducting the case
againet him, was q severe blow to the pris-
oner, AZ he felt there was no other person
with whom he could settle his case Among
his fellow prisoners was Charley Lawrence
from whom no learned all about
extradition treaties, and Bliss, the contriver
of the Northampton bank robbery, who
fret suggested to him the feasibility of es-
cape. He would not listen to this at first
but finally agreed with Bliss and some of
his friends outside, that for certain sum
of money they should undertake his escape
and send him into Spain or under the Span
ish flag. No member Of his family, his
counsel or his friends knew of the plan. 1t
was arranged that the escape was TO be
made from his home and accordingly be
made several visits there before en-
opportunity was presented which &C.
Cured after his keepers had eaten
and drank at his expense, one of
them rose to wash his hands. Tweed say
ing he would also wash went into the hall
closing the door after him. He then left
the house and met bridesmaids wagon
from which man signalled to him. He
entered the wagon which was driven rap
idly into Madison avenue, but there it
had to stop among lot of citizens
aud mounted police who were put
ting displaced car on the track
He describes his feelings while here as ter
rible. The wagon soon started and drove
ziz gag across the city to North river where
he was taken into row beat and landed
in lonely part Of the Palisades not far
from the well known spot where Aaron
Burr killed Hamilton. After ride of
three-quarters of an hour the wagon was
stopped in front of dilapidated old home
stead where Tweed was met by another of
his new found friends who greeted him
quietly with assurances Of safety. Here
Tweed remained from December 4th till
about the first week in March under the
nam of John Secor, az invalid desiring
rest and fresh air. He had his whiskers
shaved of aud hair clipped short aud put
on a wig. The removal of his whskers
gave his features, Lis jaws and cheek bones
greater prominence and with wig and q
pair of gold spectacles he was quite trans
formed. The wig was of reddish yellow
hair, curled, cut square and quite well
down on his neck.
Tweed watched the prog less of the pro.
ceedings against him after his flight and
kept himself thoroughly posted. He saw
the defeat of the motion for the dismissal
of proceedings and scanned with wonder
the proceedings Of the 'struck jury"
Upon the temperance Of O'Conor in the
case Tweed became uneasy and moved to
deserted fishermans hut near The rarrows
in Staten Island, his two com pa1ions &C.
companying him. Here the party stayed
two weeks. While here he crossed the
channel one night and slept in Brooklyn.
OFF FOR FLORIDA
During his stay on Staten Island light
and fast sailing little schooner was fitted
out and manned by himself and two COM
psnions with negro boy. He started at
last from the pier in front of the fort in a
row boat in the night and slipped awav up
on a pleasant breeze. In cue course and
without anything noticeable they reached
the lagoons on the coast of Florida. Tweed
was here Joined by Hunt, who was prac-
tical hunter and guide. His chief resourse
of profit was.to pilot pleasure parties who
seek Florida Iduring the winter months.
Hunt led Tweed into tho interior where
they remained hunting and fishing until
the climate became too hot, when they went
to ST. Augustine, whence he sailed in a
fishing smack
FOR CUBA,
arriving at Minute, within ten miles of
Santiago dc Cuba. Avoiding towns and
settlements they finally came within sight
of flshermans hut and engaged him to
take them to Santiago de Cuba. On their
arrival there they were met by custom
officer who demanded passports. Not be-
ing able to comply they were arrested and
placed on board the Spanish man-of-war
Cherucca. This was on the 18th of June,
1876, and he was released on the Esd. The
remainder Of the article is devoted to de-
scription Of his experience in Spain, his
conveyance to franklin and subsequent re-
turn to the United States, all of which is
well known.
READY TO SETTLE.
The following extracts from letter to
Charles O'Conor, written on December 9th,
1876, show how ready Tweed is to settle
and makes it easy 10 believe that he will
soon be at large:
1t is not my purpose to dispute or appeal
or further resist the suits which you have
against me in the name of the slate and
people. propose forthwith to place at
your disposal full surrender of
all l have left of property or eff
fects, and respond at once to such
examination in this connection as may
assure you and the public of the good
faith of this assignment, as well as show
the entire amount and disposition of all
have possessed so far as you may wish to
be detailed. l am an old man, greatly
broken in health, cast down in spirit, aud
can no longer bear my burden. To mitl-
gate the prospect of hopeless imprison-
ment which must speedily terminate.
1t seems to me, would make any sacrifice
or effort.