The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-13

tcring a bank only by ten years. In consequences OF
latter fern has doubled by the Legislature is
that the prisoners VIII try 10 secure the ser
VICES OF General b. r Butler
YOUNG MERCHANT BECOMES BURGLARS
EDsoN
The chief witness for the prosecution In the North
ampton bank robbery trial. just concluded was William
d. Edson who appeared against the safe breakers.
Scott and Dunlap The conspiracy OF the robbers has
never been exceeded in The annals OF police
history II appears that Edson the secret agent OF the
cracksmen the accredited travelling salesman OF
Messrs, Herring CO.. The safe manufacturers OF this
city, and that hc in pursuance OF bis apparently egit
imale business went TO different banks throughout
country learning the weak points OF bank safes In
order to inform his pais' OF their condition. In this
way bank vaults OF the following institutions were
endangersd-vz. The Second National Bank OF
Elmra, n. y. the First National OF Saratoga, the
Long Island National OF BROOKLYN The Covington tkyD
National OF Kentucky, the Third National oil SYRIA
cuse, n. Y the Rockville Comm National the First
National Pttson, the FIRST National OF Quincy, Ill
.'wMEN THIEVES About
But after the scracking' Of the Northampton Bank,
with apparent spoils the burglars OF 81 000 000
there seems according to the testimony elected to
have been falling of the thieves, according TO
poetic justice, when honest men should get their dues
Al the trial some dramatic effects were produced by
the withdrawal Of the senior counsel for the defence,
and generally an abandonment OF the case to the
people by lawyers retained by tho accused; and
was asserted that the States witness Edson) was
IN such danger OF his life that he was constantly
watched by detectives, who exercised a surveillance
over him with which parent might be supposed 10
guard an only child. He escorted from the Court
House 10 the hotel; his meals tasted before he
ali rxadf In
approached him was subjected 10 an exam nation,
more or less rigorous.
The secret history Of this marvellous combination,
however, remains TO be written. The life Of William
d. Edison, the arch conspirator has mover been gwen
The public. He Is man OF perhaps orty-two years
of age strongly built, about live ieet six inches in
height; his complexion is rudy eyes OF light color,
iron gray hair, generally cut Close accori-
ing TO the prevailing fashion,; Il thick mustachc,
dyed black, covers his lrm mouth. He always
was noted Tor restless gaze, scarcely ever
being able to look man In the lace. He was gcner-
ally retccnt making coDiidant among his bus
mess companions, ana always seeming to be devoted
TO his family duties In 1853 his father, reputable
shoe aud leather merchant OF Philadelphia died, and
Young Edison was left the bulk OF his fortune, as well
as his business. The house was situated IN Third
street, Market, III Philadelphia and Tor a while
the business prospcrcd, some patents beng added 10
the winch were generally considered 10 in
crease its revenues.
FAST LIVING.
At this time Edison commenced to live a fast life.
He bought trotng horses and was known on the road
10 Schuykill Falls the possessor Of some OF the
best trotting stock that made the dust fly between
Broad street and the WissahickOn. Then he married,
and his wife being beautiful woman their munsiOn
was crowded with those who admired the dash oil tho
husband and the charms OF his bride. II was suddenly
whispered that Edison was in trouble and his house
danger OF failure The crash came. Edison
was a ruined man, and the citizens OF the Quaker
City knew him no more. The next heard oil him was
in connection with some domestic scandals; he was
divorced from his beautiful wlc. and had again mar.
ried nc had divorced himself turn from his second
wife had remarrcd: his first vile. Ia the meantime,
had procured divorce from her second husband and
the twain were reunited. The Issue OF the legal mar
rage was three children, boys-Willie, Frank and
Albcrt--and they OF the respective ages Of
seventeen nineteen and twcnty-one; all good promIs-
ing young fellows who 10 have none oil the char
aclcristics which have led the father into such dcs-
perate courses VI life.
An EXPERT IN LOCKS.
Edsons next venture in New York, and here
II seems he met with success IN the house of Herring
Il Co., securing position as an expert In locks ana
travelling salesman Tor this firm. In this position
investigated and reported to Scott and Dunlap, the
burglars, the weak points IN all the banks ana bank
safes that he examined in his travels, ana found
to be a most convenient accomplish Tor the robbers.
He able take the combinations OF outer doors,
make impressions in OF locks mako note OF ex-
traordinary distractions to safe breaking and gen.
orally note the deiences to burglarious attempts on
banks and safe deposit companies.
A YORK.
1t will readily be seen valuable such assis-
lance Edson's would be to the men who prey and
fear not The result was that the organizer and his
accomplices divided very large sum OF money be-
tween them, and this made apparent by tho
sumptuous manner which Edison soon began to
live. He lett humble quarters and dovcG to residence
In West Fifty second street, after removing from
Forty-iourth street, near Eighth avenue. The fam
lily nvcd respectfully, and Edison, with all these
sinister schemes in contemplation and execution.
acted devoted husband and fond father lie drove
the road every afternoon aud was rcticcnt and
modest to his companions He made no particular
display, and seemed to centre his thoughts III his
family. Such was Edsons social position, when the
mask being torn OF, he stood in such uncnviable
light before the world