Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-05
4 CHICAGO PET.
A Sketch of "Nibsey" Payne, the Chicago
Murderer, Now COnflued In Saltwater
An Accomplished Burglar md Thief.

A Sketch of "Nibsey" Payne, the Chicago
Murderer, Now CODfued In Saltwater
An Accomplished Burglar and Thief.
Referring to the effort now being made TO
remand Nibsey Payne from Saltwater, where
he is imprisoned for burglary, to Chicago to
answer to the crime of murder, the Chicago
Ddiy Ne,cs gives the following sketch of the
career OF the young desperado:
George W. Payne alias Nibsey Payne iden-
tilted as the murderer of old man Rhonow, who
was shot down and killed by one of gang of
masked ruffians, who entered his place on the
evening of March l, 1879, was born in Canada
but came to Chicago when quite young. In
early life he was known to the police as petty
thief and tilLtapper. When he grew larger
and became more experienced, he engaged in
Highway robbery and burglary. The only le-
climate business he eyer did was to buy empty
oil casks; but even this savored of croOkedness,
for while making bargain, lie also made
plans for the future burglary of the place. 1t
was easy for an Intelligent man IL acquaint
himself With the premises under the pretext of
buying barrels.
Willie yet in his teens Payne married johann
na Collins, of this city, whose influence over
him was for time, supreme. He endeavored
to reform his ways, but being too we'll Known,
found it impossible to get work. He shortly
after turned his undivided attention to ways
that are dark" and committed three daring
burglaries in quick succession-two an Hue
Island avenue and one in Evanston. az cases
were thoroughly worked up by the detectives,
and part of the goods found IN Payne. house.
The grand Jury found three indictments against
him, on three specific charges of burglary.
Pending his trial in the criminal court the
sheriff of Kent county, Mich, came to this
CITY with reouisition papers for the prisoner,
who was wanted in Grand Rapids. 1t appeared
that Payne and two accomplices had shortly
before gone on marauding expedition through
Michigan and committed several ourslacies IN
the above city. He was surrendered to the
sheriff and his trial in the criminal court con-
sequently never came off.
The romance of his life occurred at this time.
While he was undergoing the hardshlps OF
o rison life, his wife did not not forget him.
She went to Grand Rapids, and, hiring ont in
the capacity of q servant to the sheriff OF the
county, she managed to have frequent consul
tations with her husband. Her cheerful de-
meanor and neat ways pleased the keeper Of
the Jail, and he allowed her many liberties not
Usually accorded to the servants. Many weeks
passed. and affairs were running smoothly at
the JAIL when, one fine morning, the sheriff
was startled by the announcement that Nib
sew Payne had escaped during the previous
night. 1t was afterwards discovered that the
KEYS to the cells where missing, and when the
pretty serving-m maid failed to appear as usual,
the sheriff guessed the secret of the escape.
Payne was never caught. He returned soon af-
ter to Chicago, to his old haunts and his old
tricks.
Two years late-, during the summer of 10,
''Nibsey" put up several crooked jobs, which
proved successful. He formed a close friend
ship with conductor on the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & st. Paul road, and through brides led
him into stupendous scheme for the rObbing
of passengers. The plans were carried out,
and Payne with two pals Travelled on this con-
ductor's train. The latter, who was thorough
" acquainted with the passengers, would point
out desirable parties to the gang and the con-
sequence was a wholesale system of slugging
and robbing. Farmers and country business
men were knocked down when leaving the cars,
but no trace of the highwaymen could be got.
After q time the cases became 30 numerous
that Detective Smith and several deputies en-
ployed by the road made special work of ths
matter. The desperadoes we're warned b. the
conductor and withdrew to Winona, Mimi, to
await developments.
While there, they committed burglary at
the residence of leading citizen in a town
across the river, getting plumber in diamonds
and silks valued at 5000. Being strangers in
town, they were ut once arrested. Payne's
companion broke Jail, but he was unable to
escape. His trial came soon after, and he was
sentenced to four years in the penitentiary.
The Daily Ne,cs of yesterday contained an
account of Detective Keating's visit to the
prison at st. Paul, and the Identification of
Payne by q man named HambertIchter. The
prisoner will be brought to this city as soon as
requisition papers are granted by Gov. Cullom,
an Indictment for the murder of Rhonow hav-
ing already been found by the grand jury now