The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-04-04
BOSS TWEED.
The story erhis FlsEhs a.d Exile.

The story erhis FliEhs aad Exile.
NEw YORK, April S.-The interesting
trial of the great six million suit againt
Tweed, threatened 9 demand upon his
cash resources for fees which he plainly
saw he should fail to answer. His re-
naming possessions were not available
TO raise ready money, and credit,
especially with lawyers ". out
of the question. His meney
was gone, and his courage was broken
also, and he resolved on fight IS 3
remedy for his bankruptcy and his hope
less imprisonment. Having lost the
great judges and lawyers OF the courts
he had created and controlled, he fouad
himself forced to fall back on their
clients, his fellow prisoners in
Jail. Tweed's mess-mste in the Lud.
low street jail, was Charles Law
renee, the silk smuggler, whose ex-
tradition led TO the abrogation of the
treaty with England. From him Tweed
learned ali the necessary details Of the
existing treaties and laws on the subject,
and having concluded on fight he re.
solved TO reach Spain as the most expe-
dent shelter, in view Of the absence OF
sn extrsdition treaty with that coun-
try. Another innate Of the Lud-
low street Jail was g person of many
professional aliases, who has since been
safely lodged in penitentiary in Yer
mont. He Ia best known by the name of
Bliss, and was engineer of the extrsordi.
nary Northampton bank robbery. He
was also professionally engaged in the
famous Washington safe burglary. This
person lodged on the upper floor, and
had approached Tweed with proposal
to avail himself OF the removal OF the
iron grstings Of his window, which was on
the ground floor and which would enable
them both TO escape. The matter was 10 be
managed from the outside by associates
OF Bliss. The proposition had at first
been laughed at by Tweed, but meeting
his professional neighbor daily IN the
courtyard OF. the Jail, where they took
exercise. the subject was more definitely
discussed, and outside friends of the pro-
tessionionsl being called in Tweed was
persuaded OF the prscticablity of the plan
which they presented, for the ex-
ecution Of which he agreed TO pay
stipulated sum. No member
of the bar, nor his counsel, nor any
friend or person whstever of his pre-
vious connections knew Of his proposed
flight or had any part in it. Neither did
they know of his whereabouts st any
time till it had become necessary for him
TO communicate with them after his ar.
rival in Cuba. Tweed understood that
he was to be taken in charge by well
organized body OF men distributed
throughout the country, having
every facility, their connections and meth
cd being thoroughly tested and well
established. He was furnished with q
short key for telcgraphic communication
and one for postal facilities. The
latter included system OF incIosures
through five different envelopes, with
tho address at the removed points. He
was to find occasion ~ visit his house
and deliver himself over, secretly and
unattended, al his own door. The exc
cution of the agreement included his
IaDding in Spain, or under the Spanish
flag and on Spanish territory,
safely and secretly. He was the
name OF John Secor, by which he
was TO be known TO bis new connections,
and his personal identity and his own
name were 10 be concealed from all per.
sons, without exception, from the mo.
ment he passed out o; his own stoop
The exact minute OF departure WAS fixed
at o'clock in the evening, not more
than one minute before 10 one minute
after that hour. Exactly the time of bis
flight was left undetermined, but nc was
TO visit his house on certain days, and
when the whole train was ready
sign was TO be given by n
certain mark on the stoOp which he could
see as he assembled the steps. Accordingly
Tweed took occasion TO obtain from the
Sheriff and his keepers the usual prvi-
lcge OF the Jail yard, and TO visit his fsm-
lily and " transact some business. Sew
ersl such visits having been made 10 his
house, at the usual hour after dark he
secretly made some preparation Of per-
sonsl matters, and putting his business
affairs in rs good order a. possible, final.
ly reached the 4th OF December 1876,
which proved the occasion OF bis depart
ure. On the evening of that day be WAS
driven in the customary hack, Atten ded
BY two keepers. to hs house. Ascending
the stoop he saw the sign. IL was about
half past seven o'clock, and a dresry De-
cember evening. The signal at once
aroused him with startling shock, and
as he described the occurrence bis blood
and his nerves were filled with an cleo
tricsl excitement which thrilled every
fibre OF his frame. Controlling himself
with some efort, he led his Attendants 10
their wonted and welcome feast, which
on this occasion Was amply provided 10
the dining room. The keepers ate, and
Tweed took care also that they drank
At Just the right mJment one Of the
keepers rose and went 10 the wash basin
in the room 10 wash his hands and get
ready for the usual cigar after dinner
Tweed took the opportunity 70 rise also,
and saying that De would wasb 10 an sd-
joing room he passed into the hall, clos
ing the door. be quickly took the first
hat AID coat and slipped out the front
door. He saw the hack before the door
without the driver, VINO also took nd
vantage of the occasion IN the kitchen.
Not person or sour appeared 70 re-
spond TO his appointment. II Wa Dot
quite one minute past eight. He had
stolen forth from his home ~ place him.
self in the hands and guidance Of picked
gang OF desperadOes. As he Ihrunk back
under the shadow Of the stoop il seemed 70
nm along period Of doubt Of self-eIami-
nation til his attention was attracted by
the noise Of whee's, and be ssy . com.
mon trsdesmsn's wagon, such ~ 10 used
by grocers and express drivers. He also
saw man. arm reach out from the coyer,
which was the sign. Il wss for him. As
ne descended the stoop, be also saw 8 man
pss,ing slowly. which csused him 20 hesi-
t.te, bat this person said in low tonr
"All right get in the wagon" Sole
scrambled into the ooverst vsgop,
IL al