New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-26
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
WILLIAMSON IN THE TOMBS.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES GAYLERs STORY.
Eugene Fairfax Williamson. who was arrested in
Baltimore on Wednesday tor writing threatening
letters to tho Rev. DR.. Dix, brought to this city
by James Gayler, General Superintendent of City
| Delivery In the New-York City Post Office, who
made the arrest and was committed to the Tombs
by Justice BIxby. Williamson talked freely with q
| TRIBUNE reporter who him in his cell, but said
that he did not know what prompted him. to do
what he had done. DR.. Dix talked with him and
decided that the law should take its course with the
culpnt DR.. Dix received dispatches from the Fair
fax family. denying that Williamson was connected
with them, and from Confederate officers saying
that no such man an officer in their army. SUI
perintendent Gayler gave interesting account Of
his detective work in Baltimore.
ARRIVAL AND COMMIrTAL OF WILLIAMSON.
THE JOURNEY FROM BALTIMORE TO NEw-YORK-
JUSTICE BIXBYs ACTIoN-How WILLIAMSON
| TALKED WHEN IN HIS CELL-DR. DIX's OPINION
J Superintendent Gayler, of the New-York
Post Office. who went Monday to Baltimore to arrest
the man that had been annoying the Rev. DR.. Morgan
Dix, returned this city yesterday morning with hts
prisoner In charge and accompanied by d. p West the
Baltimore detective who assisted in making the arrest
Leaving Baltimore at 1920 Wednesday night they
arrived in NewYOrk at about o'clock yesterday morn
ing. At the ferry they met by Anthony Yeowan,
I
whom they went TO restaurant in FultOnst to break
fast The prisoner then taken to the Post ONCE
building, where he was kept until his arraignment.
During the morning exDlstrct-Attorney b iss who has
acted in the counsel for DR.. Dix talked with
williamson who med to him to 6e penitent for what
he had done, but who could find motive for his
but "pure devtry." Dr. DIX to the Post Ofco
shortly aner 10 o'clock and desired to the man,
thinking that possibly he might identify him
who might have had "A grudge against him. DIR. Dix,
however did not find him penitcnt but regretful only
that he In the hands or the law.
After these interviews with williamson a consultation
was held IN the Postmasters private office, and it
decided to allow the proceedings against the TO
As Mr.. West the Baltimore detective, was desirous
Of returning home at once Justice sought before
whom to arraign the prisoner As it would he imposs-
bic to take him before Justice Kilbreth at the
Tombs Police Court before o'clock when tho
afternoon session should open, after confer
eDce with District Attorney Phelps, lie was
taken before Justice Bixby at his office in Park.
He consented under the circumstances, TO act,
although reluctant interfere in properly be
longing to Justice Kil0reth. Mr.. Bliss presented an
affidavit. charging Williamson with having written a
Dr. DIX threatening to publish Information in
furious to his personal reputation with the intent OF
tOrtlng money. The affidavit contained such other
formal declarations were required and there was ap-
pended 10 copy Of the letter published In yester
days TRIBUNE, signed Always yoar friend old class
mate, j. I. NJ Upon this, Justice Bixby committed
williamson to the Tombs default OF $1,000 bail, for
examination before Justice Klbreh next Monday after
noon 3 o'clock.
After the formal commitment 10 the Tomhs tue pris-
.Oner was allowed go 20 the Post Office Building,
where IN the adjoining the Office OF superinten-
dent Gayler, he permitted to open his trunk He
several large packages which he desired should
be sent 10 his friends and he wrote letter and dis
patch which Superintendent Gayler promised to send
him. Then, accompanied by Officer Field and Detec-
tive West he taken TO the DistrictAtorneys Office
and the detective given receipt for him, and be
was formally charge of the authorities here. Detec
tive West then started on his return 10 Baltimore lie
said that neither he the prisoner slept at all the
tourney here williamson taken from the District
Attorneys Office directly 10 the TOmbS, and placed
cell No. 56. the second tier where George Francis
Train confined. Word was soon passed about
that Gentleman 10 had come, and all who mad heard
OF his exploits eager to see him. Warden Finn
said that he supposed Williamson wond now be tho
OF interest to visitors to the TombS The Rev.
Mr.. COwley recently was when he was there.
STORY OF THE PRISONER.
To a reporter OF THE TRIBUNE. who saw him almost
Immediately after he was put ID the cell, williamson
said: II am thirty nine years old, aud was born in
Baltimore Ny father lived Of the time in Virginia.
In what IL West Virginia. and only Blltmore
a snort time when born there. am nOi married
man"
you receive collegiate cducatiOnl'
| ".
pared for college. Then when 1 was seventeen years
od went abroad. | lived at Paris aud studied After
awhile entered the University OF Paris but did not
stay TO graduate. Wien the b.Oke out was ly-
ing at Fontenoy-sur- BOis then came back to this
country"
Were you in the Confederate Army!"
No ; | wasn't IN the army proper. and don't know
"a ought to just what services weIe-that is,
not here at the North. / lived here al he North
at long time. and my have changed great deaf
don't have the feeling that used to hayv."
Arc you entitled TO the rank of colonel ."
No. / am not properly my friends gave me that.
Yoi, know how ii is at the south / was lieutenant.
and a brcyet captain and my friends made hrevet
colonel. After the | went abroad I
have travelled in England France Spain, Italy swizer
land and Germany. lyed III France and switzerland
In England my residence WAS. as you know. o. aa in
voluntary nature
"Are the stores true about your lie at Geneva swift
zcrl1ndi"
IF You Will tell what the stories are Will answer
your question"
In brief they that you lived there I'm great style
and went away without payingy our debts"
Well Il IL true that lived there style, and got in
debt That my misfortune, and that might hap
pen to any man. did not intend to cheat Gnyonc, and
tried to pay ALL did aerward give per-
sons and paid some OF thomas many as / could"
How did you get in trouble in Londori'
woll, I wrote letters jew whom l. hated.
knew II wrong, but I did IL. and I
tried on the charge OF malicious libel There
two charges brought against ne-one for misdemeanor
like the here for and the other for lDel On
the latter convicted and imprisoned for year In
the House Of Correction. not in Newgate Prison.
The charge Of misdemeanOr not brought up
against me sfterward They Enew could not be held
on It, In the House or Correction was treated very
kindly. / In the N. L'-DO abor-cass You know
they have classes-those who work and those who
don't Twas Of the last until 1t became monoto-
nous that couldn't stand II, and applied for work.
was clerk and had some other dutios."
"What business have you been IN lately a.