Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-29

When the galIOWS was D6lQR 6feCC0Q LII Lu0 jail corridor, Thursday, the noise was easily heard by Hamlin in his cell, and elicited the following remark, addressed to Deputy Pack ard: ''Tell those fellows not to spare the nails, for there is a heavy man going up those stairs tomorrow.
 All the prisoners were removed from their cells to the workshop and were locked in during the execution. Ordinarily the 'sbound over," or in other words the men awaiting trial, are not allowed in the workshop, but are confined in their cells. Yesterday was the exception.
 Hamlin sent a number of photographs to friends who had shown sympathy and been kind to him. On the backs of the cards he wrote his compliments and expressed his thanks He sent one to the jail barber and one to the ''hall man, ," who had done some copying for him.
 The story of Hamlin's life as related by himself is briefly as follows He was born in or near the city of Oswego, N. Y., in the month of September, 1848. For fear of bringing disgrace on his relatives he steadily refused to give his name, though his accom- name is Michael Higgins. He has an uncle in Boston and three married sisters, one living in Cleveland, Ohio, another in Milwaukee, Wis, and the third resident of Nevada.
 His mother died when he was quite young. His father was well-to-do farmer. Hamlin broke away from home when thirteen years old, cherishing ill will to his stepmother, who he says misused him. He returned home after two months, but soon ran of again. His first crime was relieving woman of her pocketbook at theater in Cincinnati. It contained $1. About this time the war broke out and he tried to en- list, but was refused because too young. He packed off to Buffalo after this, and had to walk the last of the way, having no money. Here he attempted to commit a highway robbery but failed. It was a man in 8 vehicle and he whipped up his horse and got away. The same night he stopped a team containing an old man and his wife and so scared them, pointing | crooked stick at them, that they gave up their pocketbook. He, in 1863, enlisted in a cavalry regiment which did it's first service at Newborn, N. c. He was at the closing battles around Rich mond. After being mustered out he opened saloon, which was really thieves rendez- vous, at Oswego where sparring matches were given. At this place he formed the ac- quaintance of William Allen, then known as William Smith. They started out together as burglars, Hamlin still keeping his saloon; and made frequent raids in towns near Cleveland.
 Having no opportunity to dispose of the proceeds of an indiscriminate system of rob bery they confined their operations to jewell ry, watches, spoons, etc.-stuff that could be r6aQlly Carr1oQ hQO 0dSlly cOnC6aloQ-
 On one occasion they narrowly escaped capture, and bullets whistled after them. Hamlin and Allen went now to New York, where they sold their p1under at good price and caroused. After this they went to Bos- ton, and thence to Bangor, where Aliens father and brother lived. They there robbed silk store. The detectives being after them they stole yacht and went to Holmes Hole, where they cracked store and got off. They next went to New London, where they robbed the stores of Labasker Bros. and J. T. & c. Shepard, the value of the goods stolen being $4, 900. The burglars went of in their stolen yacht, but were apprehended at Greenport, Hamlin being fired at and receiv- ing a shot in the heel. He returned the fire, but it did not take effect. He and Allen ran as far as a creek, where they were surround ed. Hamlin started to take shot gun from the hands of young man named Maynard, in the nearest squad, when he discharged the gun loaded with shot square at him. About forty shot were lodged in his body, where most of them remain to-day. Hamlin fell to the ground and the capture of both was speedily effected. After remaining two days in the Greenport lookup they were conveyed to New London and lodged in jail, where they remained until fall, when they were tried and convicted, and were soon after re- moved to the State prison, where they re- mained until the murder of Shipman.