Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-04-17
Death Of william N. Tweed.
END OF A NOTORIOUS CAREER LAST
HOURS OF THE CAPTIvE-sKETCH
OF HIS LIFE ETC.

END OF A NOTORIOUS CAREER LAST
HOURS OF THE cAPTIvE-sKETCH
OF HIS LIFE ETC.
New YORK, April l2.-Wm. NJ.
Tweed diod IN Ludl0w-slreet Jail al
precisely II O'Clock today. He was at
Tended by DR.. Canochan, who has
been with him since an Early hour this
morning ; also Mr.. Foster Dewey, his
la G secretary, Mr.. Douglass, his SON
In-law, and Mr.. Edelstein, one OF his
counsel. All hope OF his recovery was
abandoned soon after III O'Clock, when
DR.. Camochan announced clogging OF
the heart and complete nervous exhaus-
llon. AT the time Of his death their
was no struggle, as he passed away III
sleep, with his head lying upon his arm.
Keeper Herman was hurrlcdly summon
ed three minutes before noon. and
reaching Mr.. Tweed's room the signal
rang out. and the long prisoned old man
dropped back dead in his bed. His last
words to DIR. CarnOchan were Il have
tried TO do some good, If have not had
good luck. | am not afraid to die. |
believe the guardian angels will protect
me-
The announcement Of his DEATH
spread rapidly, and crowd of curious
people soon assembled outside the jail.
pcering eagerly into the half-closed
windows. Tweed had been dangerous
ly Ill for several days. His death resul
ted from q complication of disorders,
but was caused directly by nervous ex-
haustOn and clogging OF the action OF
the heart. He was delirious last night
and early this morning, when he war
attended only by his servant. Like. La
ter h became calm aud rational. He Was
conscious TIL within a few moments OF
his death. and a short time before drank
little tea which was handed to him by
his son-inlaw, Mr.. DOUGLASS. lost
of Twerd's iamil, are III New Orleans.
They were lele9rap ed toyeSterday.-
Under the statutes the body of the dead
prisoner cannot be removed from the
iail until afteran examination by the
coroner.
II was about a week ago to-day that
Mr.. Tweed first complained Of cold and
took to his bed, which he kept up to the
time Of his death, with the exception of
two or three times when he made an el-
fort to sit in his casy-chair, with ! view
of resting himself. as he said. During
even these briefinteryals he complained
OF severe pains in his chest and immr-
date region of his heart. and was assis-
ted from ms chair to his bed again. Up
to last night it does not appear that he
had any serious apprehenslOns regard
ing himself, for he laughngly said t.
Deputy Ftzsimmon:, IN be all right
again by next Monday" A short time
previous to his death he whispered TO
Mr.. Ecclestcin in disconnected senten-
ces. his utttrancc being attended eyl-
IDENTIFY with great pain. All that his
counsel could make out was in regard to
the moral effect Of his Imprisonment
upon the public, and to quote his own
words Mr.. Tweed said, II hope now
that every one is satisfied"
SKETCH OF TwEED's CAREER.
VIM. NJ. Tweed was born in the city
OF New York, April, 1923. His par
eats were poor people. and the boy was
carly thrown upon his own resources.
lie learned the trade Of a chairniaker.
and worked at it for few years. He
soon became ambitious of political dis
tinctlOn. and to increase his qualilica-
uous anu improve his chances he enter
cd the University Law School. from
which he graduated AS a member of the
bar. His power began in the old volun-
tcer lire department of the metropolis.
He became foreman Of Big Six" ali
engine company famous in the lower
part Of the city. In that day q popular
fireman was positive power in local
pulitlcs. aud Tweed began to make M
self felt. In 1851 he was elected alder.
man from the seventh ward, serving in
tie common council through the years
1929. In the fall OF 1852 he was
elected to Congress from the fifth dis
trict. which then embraced the seventh
aud thirteenth wards OF New York and
the village of williamsburg, Long Is
land. He took his seat in the House in
December, 1858, while his term as
alderman was about expiring. He was
thirty years old at that time.
While in Congress he was elected
school commissioner of the seventh
ward. The year after his term a. Rep
reScntative expired he was chosen Ia
the board of supervisors, and continue
10 hold a place there until the day ofhs
overthrow. In 1861 he was candidate
for sheriff Oh tic Tammany ticket. The
office is one Of enormous emOument.
aud Tweed struck for 1t with his usual
energy He reckoned himself worth
$50. coo at that time. and he had made
The money honestly. He spent every
dollar oft in the canvass, led On BY
the hope and belief that he would
triumph. He was bt aten, and during
the winter which followed he found great
difficulty in meeting the house rent and
paying his butchers and grocer's bills.
II is probable that his career as a pub
lie plunderer dates from the day of his
defeat as sheriff. He resolved to "get
laven" with the public who had preferred
an'her to him, and he set about the
Job.
In 1870 he became deputy street
COMMISSIONS and while holding that
office he got hlshand freely into the
public purse for 60 first time. AT
the leading spirit in the i~~mon~ or
eanlzaton. He showed soon i,at h;s
power as an organizer was very s-ai
lie drew men around him usually B.,
appeals to their selfish natures. To
one he gave money; to another some
place OF honor and trust. He proceed.
ed on the theory that every man had
MS price. If rival arose TO dispute
his authority, he crushed his rival il he
could, and if he couldn't, he crushed
The rivalry by supporting the man for
some office. and thus making him his
ally. In this way he called a truce
with his most popular enemy, Michael
Connolly. In 1867 Richard b. Connolly
became comptroller Of New York.
With him Tweed formed all alliance.
Connolly was greedy and close.hsted.
He never could secure a popular fol-
lowing. He held office at the pleasure
- fl,ro.l Ubo Iyaa LoNv.var ,np, .