The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-04-11
safety. He did implicitly what


they directed, and they held him
in hand like trainers. He slept, he rose, he
walked he rode, ate and drank only as they
instructed him, and it may be remarked
here that this discipline and relation was
maintained until he closed his engagement
with them satisfactorily in Florida. On De-
cember he left Jersey and took up tenn
porary abode on Staten Island, about half
mile from Fort WadswOrth, at the Mar
rows, in a fisherman's hut with his two
companions. Here the party staid two
weeks, making preparations. Mr.. Tweed
not only lived at this shad mans hut for
two weeks, but even made visit across the
channel and stopped a night in Brooklyn.
During his stay on Staten Island light and
fast sailing little schooner was fitted out and
manned by himself and two companions,
with negro boy. He started at last from
he pier in front of the fort in
a row boat, in the night and slipped
away upon pleasant breeze. In due course,
and without anything noticeable, they
reached the lagoons on the coast of Florida.
At one of the light house stations they made
definite stoppage again, Tweed taking
board with the keeper of the light
house as John Secor, an invalid gem
tleman, seeking restoration of health
and the recreation of hunting and
fishing. Here too he parted with his
guides from New York, closing his contract
with them at that place. Here Tweed was
joined by the person who is known as Hunt
in the reports of his subsequent arrest. This
man was a Florida guide, and with him
Tweed spent a long time in the interior
camping out, hunting and fishing. Subse-
quently he returned to st. Augustine,
which place he left in a fishing smack
for Cuba, and he and his companion
Hunt landed ten miles outside of the harbor
of Santiago de Cuba. The remainder of the
story is devoted to an account of Tweed's
adventures IN Cuba, his subsequent sailing
for Spain, the arrest at Vigo and the return
to the United States. Appended to the
above story is the following letter:
TWEED GIVES UNDER.
LUDLOW STREET JAIL, Dec. 8, 1876.
To Charles O'Conor, Esq:
SIR take the liberty of addressing you
this letter in view of the fact that your posi-
ton as the counsel designated by the state au-
thorities in my matters has professed sole
personal interest. Heretofore have met NV
troubles with every resource at my disposal:
Possibly, in mistaken sense of
to Shield others 'o as we'll as 500 MYSELF
bearing such losses and punishment as were
melted out to my transgressions and my mis-
others than in my own that the litigation and
resistance were prolonged. viewing the man.
ner of my returning to the wards OF this
prison, realizing the Caunts in the city, state
and nation which am brought here to con-
front, 1t will not, l hope seem to
me to say that am indeed
overwhelmed. All further resistance being
hopeless, have none now to make, and seek
the shortest and most efficient manner in
which may make an unqualified surrender.
IL is not my purpose to dispute or appeal or
further resist the suits which you have against
me in the name of the state and people. 1
propose forthwith o place at your disposal
full surrender of all have left OF property
or effects, and respond at once.to such examin-
alton In this connection as may assure YOU OF
the good faith OF this assignment as well as TO
show the entire amount and disposition of all
1 have possessed so far as you may wish il to
be detailed. am an old man, greatly broken
in health, cast down in spirit, and can no
longer bear my burden. To mitigate the pros
pect of a hopeless imprisonment, which must
speedily terminate my life, 1 should, it seems
TO me, make any sacrifice or effort.
During the early stages of the
suits and proceedings against me, 1
was ready to make restitution and reparation
as far as in my power. Enlargement with the
interest and counsels of others delayed and
defeated this. i regret that my means have
now become so utterly inadequate. l would
not make futile offer if L had not some
assurance through your published state
ments that the vlndication of principle
and the prospect of permanently purifying
public service are the objects you have in
view as being more desirable than the recov-
cry of the money. If in any manner you may
see nj TO use me in such connection shall be
only too glad to respond trusting implicitly in
your high reputation and character. i ask to
make only a single observation, not as regards
myself, but wherever others may be con-
cerned. Leaving nv personal and,property in
terests to be put to the fullest tests
of examination and publicity, i would
hope 10 have any matters affecting
other persons restricted to your private
knowledge and discretion. knowing as you do
every material fact already. 1t would be I'M
availing for me further to resist or withhold
any details your may demand. i only ask in
qualification of utmost frankness that your
more reliable judgment shall take the respon-
sibility of the publication and use Of such mat
tiers only as may be necessary for the ends you
wish to advance.
/ remain, yours very truly,
VIM. NJ. TWEED.