New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-04

raising to his interests But he says. the anticipated
event which excited so much sorrow In the community
keenly felt by him than by anybody else
He engaged at the time In negotiations for his re-
lease. Propositions for restitution and settlement WIN
tho State by himself aud his Acknowledgements were
avorably entertained, Of the law partners OF Ed
wards Pcrrepont tthen Attorney OF the united
States and now Minister TO England having the matter
in hand In the event Of the deeease Of OConor tweed
felt that there other person with whom he couiu
hope SETTLE aud the tolls which he left seemed
so hopeless enlargement that he fell into utter
despair He had battled for already without re-
suit except that he had squandered his lgoten riches
upon lawyers and courts, suffered imprisonment WIN
the prospect OF life term In Ludlow Street Jail In ex-
change for his previous place in the Pcnitentary on
Backwells Island Worse than all else. he had sacr-
feed his property piece by piece at rnous prices under
the cloud OF legal Attachments TO raise the fees ior car
ryng on his legal battles. This had reduced his means,
that in view OF the disastrous shrnkage and fore
closures, he found himself brought face to face
with actual bankruptcy. The approaching trial
Of the great six million SUIT against him threat
ened demand upon his cash resources for ices
which he plainly he should fail to answer His
remaining possessions available to raise ready
money and credit especially with the lawyers, was out
Of the question. His money gone, his courage broke
down asO and he resolved on flight as the remedy Doth
for his bankruptcy aud his hopeless Imprisonment Could
he Obtain his liberty might some fragments OF
his estate From his prison bars he saw his fortune Ike
a raft broken in the rapids scattered and heplessy
drifting rretricvabe ruin His costly and numerous
counseors had deserted him in battalons and with his
shrinking purse came not only change OF his temper
but Of his advisers and followers In short, having lost
the great judges and lawyers Of the courts he Ind created
and controlled he found himself forced to fall back upon
their clients his feow-prisoners OF the jail.
Tweeds messmate in Ludlow Street Jail was Charley
Lawrence the silk snuggler whose extradton LED 10
the abrogatiou of the treaty with England He had pre-
viousy cbummed with Tweed in the more agreeable
sphere of the Americas Club, OF which he the official
secretary and in fact the chief steward and purveyor-
general. This person being client OF Judge Pierre
points Office in the extradition matter Tweed learned all
the necessary details of the existing treaties and laws on
tho subject from actual consultations in the Jail In his
presence, and having concluded upon flight he resolved
TO reach Spain the most expedent shelter In view OF
the absence OF any exradon treaty with that country
Another OF the inmates of Ludlow street Prison was
person OF many professional aliases who has since been
safely lodged in penitentiary III Vermont lie 10
best known by the OF Bliss" and WAS the en-
gineer OF the extraordinary Northampton Bank robbery
lie also professionally" engaged IN the famous
Washington "safe burglary" which was the occa-
sion of investigation undcr the late Adminstra-
ton Of Gen Grant. This person lodged on the upper
floor aud had approached Tweed with the proposal to
avail himself of the removal or the iron gra,ings Of his
window, which the ground-6o0r, and which
would enable them both to escape the whole matter to
be managed from the outside by the associates of Bliss
The proposition had at first been laughed at by Tweed
lie had previously entertained the idea OF Hight
He only replied, What could do with myself where
could hope to hide myself" Conceament for Tweed
was, as it seemed to him. mpossibity But meeting
his professional" neighbor daily in the courtyard
Of the Jail. where they took their exercise,
the subject was more definitely discuss d. and
the outside friends OF the professional" being
called in, Tweed was persuaded OF the practical
bty OF plan which they presented and for the rxecu
ton OF which he engaged to psy stipulated amount OF
money. Flight lac had reasoned must be his only relief
His conferences with his advisers, peculiarly skilled
in such matters convinced him that this STEP II enter
tanned all must be taken with such absoutencss as TO
have no c0nldants or knowledge of his plans exist
among his own friends. He must surrender himself ex-
clsivcy control OF those who undertook the job
leaving no ENHANCEMENT intelligence behind HIM by
which he could be traced or oycrhauled And, accord
ngly no member of his family nor his COUNSEL nor any
friend or person whatever of his previous ctons
knew of his proposed flight had any part I'm its exc
cuton neither did they know OF his whereabouts at any
Time until il had become necessary for him To commu
neate with tcm after his arrest in Cuba by the Spanish
officials.
THE PLAN OF ESCAPE.
Tweed understood that he to be taken In charge
by wellorganized body OF men distributed throughout
the country having every facility their connections and
method being thoroughly tested and well established
He was furnished with short key for tccgraphic com
muncaton and one for postal facility The latter in
cluIed a system Of Enclosures through five different en-
yeopes with addresses at removed points lie was 10
find occasion to visit his house in Fifthave, corner OF
and deliver himself over, secretly aud I'M
attended at his door. The execution OF the agree;
mcnt included his landing in Spain or under the Spanish
flag and on Spanish territory, safely and secretly. lie
,l,n - NJ which
be known to his connections and his personal de
v and his own name to be concealed from all per
sons without exception, from the moment he passed out
of his own stonp. The exact minute OF departure was
fixed at O'Clock in the evening, Lot more tnan one
minute before to minute after that hour exactly
The TINE OF lis flight was left undetermined But he
was TO visit his house on certain days. and when the
Whale train was ready "a sign to be gwen by GER
tain secret mark upon the stoOp, which he could see as
lie ascondcd the steps.
Accordingly Tweed took occasion to obtain from the
Sheriff aud his keepers The usual privilege OF the jail
ward TO visit his family and transact some business
The Sheriff being allowed by law TO treat prisoners Tor
debt to this privilege. IA necessary for the purpose OF
enabling them to get bail and look after their suits 1t
becomes one OF the perquisites Of that officer and also
a urnopal responsibility aud rsk, for the exercise OF
which he gives his bonds. Tweed. being held on civil
nrocess stood In different light from his former att
tude under penal sentence. In leaving his JAN ht eXer-
csed right in which ne iad only inc SheiH 10 consult
being with him discretionary and ard legitimate mat
fer az fees or costs within the county limits Several
such visits having been made TO his house at the usual
hour after dark he secretly made some preparation Of
persona matters and putting his business affairs In az
good order as possible finally reached the 4th OF Decr-
her 1873 which proved the occasion of his departure
On the evening OF that day he was driven in the Gus
tomary hack attended by two Keepers, 10 his house
Ascending the stoOp, he the sign IL was about half
mast seven o'clock and dreary December evening The
signal at aroused him with startling shock and tas
he dscries the oceurrenc his blood and his nerves
marc allied with An electrical excitement which thrilled
ev.rv fiber of his frame Controlling himself with