Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-28
The Barre Bank Burglar.
Interesting Career of a Brilliant Rogue.
 From the Washington CapitaIl

y leisure, who was at one time well known in Washington circles of the crooked order as in New York, where he especially shone as wealthy man of luxurious tastes. For years he piled his business with marked success, but was overtaken eventually, and enjoys at pres ent the imprisonment of a felon and the anx- iety of an applicant for pardon. George Miles, confidence man, forger, burglar and conspirator-it was his connection with the famous safe-burglary that brought him into District prominence-was fashioned by na- ture for the line of work he improved upon by art He is Vermonter by birth, and early in life distinguished himself by obtain ing insurances upon his various properties, which had an unnamed, fiery impulse to burn down. Toward the close of the war his shrewdness and dexterity as forger com mended him to the notice of Mark Shinburn, the notorious bank robber, who now lives in swell style in Germany, and the worthy couple started out in partnerships that pan ned out well until their robbery of savings bank in New Hampshire. Both were arrest ed, but Miles escaped conviction; his elder associate was sentenced to the penitentiary in Concord, but was rescued by the keen-witted young man, who sawed hole through the prison walls, and, disgusting Shinburn as woman, drove off with him, landing safely in Canada.
 About II years ago Miles originated asmall order of burglars, and began systemat-
 
 was to rob Maine bank of $6O, 900. They were pursued and all captured except Miles. It was about this time that he invented and introduced the bold plan of capturing cash iers tying and handcuffing them and procur- ing from them the combinations and means of entrance to the safes; this saved the trouble and danger incident to the and carrying of burglars tools. On the proceeds of his robbcries Miles lived in excellent ease for few years, when he and his associate Shinburn again made bold dash upon the Ocean National bank of New York, securing as the reward of their villainy $500,0 GOO, and few months later they levied toll on Mary land bank for $2O0,00O.
 In addition to his burglar business this ris- ing young man was partner in several restau- rants, notably the New York dive, run by Sharkey, the murderer. His wealth was largely useful in obtaining frequent immuni- ty from punishment; it generally his fortune to escape where his associates fell; noticeable was this in his next robbery of the Wolfboro bank with the cracksman Campbell; both were arrested, the latter sentenced to 10 years, but Miles acquitted. Returning to New York, he called his gang about him, and disguised as policeman in uniform borrow ed from one of the station houses, he patrol led in frontof the National bank of Con- merce while his confederates rifed it's safe. The coolness and daring of these king bur glars seems incredible A few years ago Shinburn and Miles decided to rob bank in Philadelphia They chose Sunday and church time for the hour of work, and with two of their confederates dressed as hverled servants. drove to the bank in @ handsome equipage, opened the doors and walked bold ly in Miles worked the combination, but did not find the million dollars that he had understood had been deposited the previous day by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company They closed the doors and drov off, over looking sum of $400, ,000 on deposit-or else leaving it untouched in expectation of secur- ing the larger amount. They remained in the city few days, and had planned to de scend upon the bank by night, having bribed the watchman The latter changed his tao tics, however, and informed his employers of the plot Their confederates were captured but the two lucky chiefs escaped. One of those csptured was Harry Mccoy, who sub sequently inherited large fortune and was pardoned.
 The longest lane has a turn, and in his next attempt at robbery Miles was arrested, tried and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in Sing Sing penitentiary. But his visit was comparatively short. He struck up prison acquaintance with Dr. Cramer, one of the felons. This ingenios individual had invent ed rubber apparatus supplied with breath ing tubes and resembling decoy duck. Miles secured it, and, while working on the docks with the other convicts, adjusted it,
 
 son. past the guards undetected. The next phase in his adventurous career was his par don Whitely, the ex-chief of secret service the coffin faced employe of the corrupt Grant dynasty, obtained immunity for Miles, osten- sibiy to use him as witness in counterfeit ing cases but really to put him at work on the famous safe-burglary conspiracy in this city. He, with his associate, Benton, were arrested but, furnishing bail, he jumped the city. The safe burglary marked outthe turn ing line in luck. He returned to New York; and then went to his native State to ply his trade Living in splendid style in the city, he made criminal excursions, until finally he made one too many.
 One night, few years ago, the cashier Of the Barre (Vt) bank was awakened by four masked men, who compelled him, at the point of pistols to accompany them to the bank, and demanded that he open the safe. This even he could not do, as it was guarded by time-lock, and could not be opened un- til 9 o'clock next day; SO the reward of their work was merely some $1, 300 in unsigned bills With these they returned to New York and began putting them on the market The State of Vermont, incensed at the in- creasing number of crimes of this character, offered a large reward for the detection of the criminals For months the detectives worked up the case, and finally were con- vinced that the leading spirit in the robbery was none other than George Miles. alias White, alias Bliss, alias Myers, alias Albert Williams. He was traced to his New York residence-a magnificent brown-stone front and, after several days of close watching, was finally arrested. A legal fight occurred as to the surrender of the prisoner to the Vermont authorities, and pending it, to make certain of their man, the detectives abducted him, and carried him by force to Vermont. He essayed to bribe them, offering $75,00O for his release, but in vain. He tried and convicted to 14 years imprisonment-a term which he is at present serving Every effort was made to secure his release. His wife, to engage assistance and sympathy, has ined the church, and has enlisted large number of influential ladies and church peo- pie in his behalf, and most strenuous efforts are at work for his pardon. Among other points made are number of afidavlts-hls wife's among them-that he is not George Miles, the burglar, as that character is dead. This will not work, however, as Major Rich ards, ex-chief of the District police, idepti- fled him, while in New York, as the safe bur glar. Notwithstanding the immense sums of money stolen by Miles he is comparatively poor, as lawyers and detectives bled him heavily to pull him through his many diff culties.