Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-04-14

of Wm. NJ. Tweed's escape, flight aud
exile, written from a diary kept 10y
Tweed in Ludlow-strert jail aud during
his pilgrilnages in Florida, CuLa and
Spain. The following is a resume oI
The story:
TIE RESOLVE TO ESCAPE.
The uniounded announcement of the
death Of Charles OConor in December
1875, was received by Tweed in Lud-
low street Jail with feelings the reverse
OF what misht have been supposed.-
Tweed was engaged at the time IN ne
gutid,lons for release, and proposltians
for restitution and settlement with the
State were tavorably entertained, one
of the law partners Of Edwards Pierre
pont having the matter III hand. Ia the
event OF the death of 0 OCouor Tweed
felt that there was no other person with
whom he could hope TO settle. lie had
already squandered most of his i'll got
ten riches ON lawyers and courts, and
his remaining property was already SO
deprecated and involved that he saw
nothing but bankruptcy if he continued
the struggle. The trial pt The great six
million suit against him threatened to
finish his resources and he resolved OH
flight. HIS great couusellors had de-
serted him, ami he could no longer
count upon the courts he had created.
He fell back on his feliVw-pfisoners.
HIS PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS.
Tweed's messmate in Jail was Charley
Lawrence, the silk smuggler, whose ex-
tradition led To the abrogations Of the
treaty with England. He had previous
ly chummed with him in the American
Club. From him he learned all about
treaties with foreign countries. AnolE-
er inmate was Bliss, the engineer of the
Northampton bank robbery, also eli
gagged in the Washington safe burgla.
ry." Bliss was tie first to suggest the
feasibility of escape. AT first Tweed
hesitated, but at length placed himself
at the disposal OF his professional
friends. No member OF his family, or
counsel nor any friend was advised nor
did they know of his whereabouts after
his escape. Tweed understood that he
was TO br taken in. charge 10y well or
ganized body of men distributed through
out the country. lie WAS furnished
with a key for telegraphic dispatches
and one for postal facility. The latter
included Il system of Enclosures through
five different envelopes aud addresses at
removed points. He Was 10 visit lis
house in Madison avenue, near Fifty
ninth street, and deliver himself over
secretly and unattendt d at bis own door.
He made several such vista until finllly
Dec. 4, 1875, ON the evening OF which
he was driven in the customary hack
attended by two keepers to bis house.
Ascending the steps he saw
THE PRECoNCEaTED SIGN
which greatly excited him. Controll-
ing himself he led his attendants to the
usual feast. Tney ate heartily, aud he
took care that they drank. AT Just
the right moment one OF the keepers
rose aud went 10 the wash basin TO
wash his hands aud get ready for the
usual luxurious cigar. Tweed rose
also, aud saying he would wash in the
next room, passed in the ball closing
the door quickly, took the hrst hat aud
coat and, slipped out the front door.
The hack diver was absent, erju,l
himself III the kitchen. IL was not
minute past 8 Z. M.
An AGoNIZING DETENTION.
He saw a tradesnans wagon ap-
proach. a man inside sigDalled him 10
get in. He did SO. The wagon drove
rapidly into Madison avenue, but there
1t had 10 stop among lot OF ciiizeus
and mounted police who were putting
a displaced car on the track. He de-
scribes his feelings here as terrible.
Tweed dated from this time q complete
change in his character and tome O
mimi. The wagon soon started aud
drove across TO North river.
"As INVALID" IN THE PALISADES.
He was taken IN row-boat across
to lonely SPOT in the palisades near
the spot where Burr killed Hamilton
lie was then driven 10 dilspidated
homestead, where he Was met by anoti'- !
er of his new-iouud frieuds. In this
refuge he Continued from December 4
unul the first week in March. Fiom
the n-ighburing bluffs he could see the
roof OF his own home Ia the city. HIS
6rse care next day after arrival was To
D,,S m Dr. f.rs.gn.ze nsxf his srGun,.x3