The New York herald., 1878-11-23
A CRACKSMANTS BRIDE.
Sad History Of the Wife CT
William Burke.
BROKEN HEARTED ELLA.
A Singular Episode Of the Search
for Stewards Body.

Ella Wright alias Baker. alias Burke. the repuied
wife of the whose arrest by Captain Byrncs. Of
the Fifteenth precinct and subsequent commit,ai In
default of 5000 bail for completely in the robbery
OF the Stewart vault. in st. Marks cbnrchyard.
caused so much excitement. speculation and contyo-
versy. has a singular and in many respects touching
history if all that she says Of herself be strictly
true.
1t was on last Tuesday evening after she had seen
the doors of jefferson Market Prison locked upon her
husband that this strange FASTENED 10 the
corner Of Thirteenth street and Second avenue 90
keep the appointment she had made before with the
HERALD reporter. The clock in the stccpe Of Dr.
Tyngs church by had just tolled seven. and the
avenue WAS comparatively speaking. deserted when
the writer stood under the lamp at the 10
be by her if she were hidden anywhere near by
waiting for him. The officer on that post
moved up Second avenue. after suspiiously
surveying the watcher. and then lost
in the gloom and darkness half block away.
The HERALD man had just resolved 10 retire. belicv-
ing that the woman had repcnted her engagement
and would not keep tryst. when she stood beside
him. Where she had como from he could not tell. A
second before he leaning against the street lamp
post, absolutely alone on the broad sidewalk. Yet
here she with her hand on his shoulder and her
dark eyes fixed upon his face '.You thought
wasn't coming" said she. NAY; don't deny il. l
divine your thoughts by the look of chagrin
fading from your countenance. Yon would have
gone away had been minute later. You will not
doubt my word when you know me better. /
break promise, matter how slight Come with
me!'
STRANGE PLACE.
Saying this she thrust her hand, as a matter of
course through the reporters arm, rather laid it
AND rlad. 10 ola
now to place where am well known and where we
may converse at our ease"
That's what desire; and hope you II be frank
with me you promised to be and as Burke assured
me you would be-
IN ever fear; Ill tell you all about this wrctchcd
business" quoth she. with a sigh.
The next minute we had reached the private
trance of q saloon in Thirteenth street 1t is quite
pretentious in appearance and brightly lighted in
front. The private entrance however, completely
enshrouded by the darkness; light above
through its chinks indicated its location. The wo-
man touched the secret latch with familiar fingers anc
we stood in well lighted passage leading to second
door, beyond which was q room covered with saw
dust, shut off from the outer world by curtaned and
baize doors, and occupied by knots OF men, who
sat at small tables apart from each other
and conversing in low tones No quieter groups
talked more than they drank and seemed utterly
oblvious Of each others presence The slightest pos
sble elevation Of eyebrow here and there or the
dropping of eyelid was the only sign of recogn-
tion detected by the reporter he strobe after his
singular companion past the tables to one in far
corner Of the room.
FACE TO FACE WITH AHoNYMA
We took chairs and were sis--ris separated only by
The narrow table. We sat gazing straight into each
others faces mentally measuring the character and
purposes that might be read there.
well. Mrs. Burke, why did You make this ap-
pointment?" said the writer.
ITO show you just what is behind Captain Byrnes
sccusation.''
Then she related all she knew about the arrest the
hunt in New Jersey. Burke's attack of the delirnm
tremens and her expectations. With all these the
public have been acquainted by the HERALD before;
but during the recital the opportunity observe and
study the strange being before him enabled the
writer to obtain Impressions and led afterward to
the narrative Of history curious any related by
some popular novcsts
The woman. though thirty and sorrow
stricken was singuary interesting-almost beauti-
full. She had been very beautiful. beyond doubt,
and there traces Of refinement and culture in
her manner that not even the association with
burglars and desperadoes could obliterate. She
Was. was pale pale naturally: sal her hair was tha.
deeper shades under different circumstances.
Her eyes dark brown and large. Her nose
was OF the purest Grecan type, with delicate. scnsi-
tive nostris. suggestive in the highest degree of
keen intellect and quick disccrnment. Her mouth
neither full and passionate But it was her chin and
broad, low clean forehead that gave the express
sion Of power and will to her face. Her form was of
the medium height slender. but perfect in contour.
and her hands were small and shapely. She dressed
eoberly and faultlcssly. and the avenue FASH
ionable side OF Broadway would be regarded by acute
readers of character as lady OF good family and gen.
lie breeding.
AN oUIcAsr FROM HOME AND FRIENDS.
Wow that you have told me all about your hus-
band cannot you relate of the incidents OF your
own life? Yon are no common woman. born in ten
smcnt. raised In the slums and welded to thief
You bear the hall mark OF a viz tuous home holy
mother and early training in ways you have forsskcn
now. viii you in return for tho interest taken in
your husbands case. tell me something of yourseifY
No vulgar curiosity prompts the question:, said the
writer.
"Ah! hal hat" laughed She quietly. what can
burglars mistress a countcrfctcrs wife and in
every respect all alien from good society,"
II want to write your history il you will let me- as
warning to others. You surely admit your present
life s mistake and lead to only terInina-
uonY
THAT may all be. 1t undoubtedly is true 1 would
ray any woman foolish to live with crooked
mem but can't 60 back. live with them now and
with them some day"
LOVE LEVELS ALL RANKS,
II believe you are not asking me these questions
out OF inerc idle curiosity. sir. said she. after
pause, during which she had been scanning the
writer's countcnance narrowly; $50 win take the
trouble to set myself right in your estimation. am
. burglar wife yet am honest sunlight. As Col
Ia my Judge never stole pins worth In my ife
and never was in station house. except when went
there to help those whom love and among whom
my lot is cast. was not always with thcm-oh no
i was reared as tenderly any girl on Fifth
avenue could have been. My father was an
Englshman and my mother a French Jcwcss.
was born at sea when they coming 70 this
country, and am now thirty-fvc years old. They
settled in Canada aud living there STILL wealthy,
honorcd and. were 1t not that / am lost to them.
happy. Ny dear mother tGod bless hcrD lavshed
love and care upon me . child and taught me, or
tried TO teach me. to be like herself good and tre
to you, sir. that training has preserved me from
crime despite my associations with criminals. was
brought mp at seminary famous throughout Canada
and the United States. and possess accomplish
mcnts second to few ladies' In the land. do not
boast can prove my requirements IL you desire to
test my ycracity. My sister, who Is without exception
the most beautiful woman ever saw in my life. Is
married to man In an exalted position In Canada.
1 Will not mention their names. lest the publicity
should give them pain. Ny maiden name was Ella
b.. Don't publish IL. Remember! hold you to
strict accountability for keeping faith with me. So
much as you may publish / will indicate to you.
Well, sir. stayed peacefully at home and at that