The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-28
SWEENEY's STORY
OF his Trip 10 New York in search Of
Paddy Byan-The Capture and Escape.
with the PaFIIeulnFS OF Zach,


with the PaFlIenlaEs OF Zach.
Our readers will remember the recent
visit Of Major James W, Sweeney to Al
bany, New York, in search Of Paddy
Ryan, the pugillst, who is wanted by the
authorities Of Brooke county in this State
to answer a charge Of prize-fghting
within the confines OF that respectable and
law.sbiding county, Well, the Major went
to New York, arrested Ryan, who sub
sequently escaped, and left his csptor to
tell the cause, manner, means and instru-
ment OF said escape.
"Well," said the Mayor to our reporter,
"Ill tell you all about 1t. On the 10th Of
February received telegram from Geo.
W. Walling, Superintendent OF the New
York City Police, notifying me that Ry-
an was in Albany and could be arrested.
at once went to Gov. Mathews with the
telegram, and receiving some instructions
left Tor New York by the next train, ar
irving there at 9 o'clock the next alter
noon. Immediately repaired to the Of
fee Of Supt. Walling, who gave me the
benefit OF all the information in his pos.
session in regard to Ryan and his
whereabouts in Albany, and also
placed Detective Rutland oil his
force at my disposal. The detective
and left New York, and upon our arrl'
val In Albany that night, we at once went
to the Office Of the Chief Of Police. NAL
10y by name, and told him our Grand.
Capt, Malloy hesitated to do anything for
us, saying he doubted his authority to
proceed in the matter, but when exhib.
lited the warrant OF the Governor, com.
manding all coHservators Of the peace in
the State to assist me in making the ar.
rest, he signifed q reluctant willingness
to aid me. was next informed that Ryan
was gratifying his aesthetic taste that
evening in Tweedle Hall, at which place
Salvini was performing, and as soon as he
came from the theater he should be ar
rested. About ten O'Clock, or when
the opera was over, he Ceme out
oil the hall, and was Immediately
taken into custody and escorted to the
Central Station and given seat In the
office OF the Chief OF Police, Directly
alter the arrest q great crowd OF Ryan's
friends came to the station, conspicuous
among whom was one Burke, Superiuten-
dent Of Public Buildings, who asked me
II l would take bail for Ryan, replied
that / was unauthorized to do any such
thing, that bail must be given IN West Vir-
ginia, We remained at the station houte
about two hours or until the departure OF
train for New York when we proceeded
10 the depot, where we found q crowd Of
about fifty persons headed by one Paddy
Martin, notorious gambler, and q
} couple Of shysters, whose names
, do not reColleCt, OF Albany.
} While at the train q writ OF habeaS
} corpus was served on me by one OF Re-
! CoTder Gould's officers, commanding me
| to produce the body OF Ryan before him
, the following morning at 10 o'clock. At
this time the crowd began 10 jostle DeteC.
, tive rutland, the prisoner and myself, and
finally we were forced upon the street
! where an open carriage was In waiting.
I called upon the detectives to assist me,
but only one OF them, q man named Cur
tin, responded. then asked that officer
, to take us to the Central Station, but In
, stead Of complying with my request we
) were taken to the residence OF Chiet NAL
10y, who was awakened and the situation
explained to him. The Chief, Tor reasons
peculiar to him, directed thst Ryan be
taken 10 the Globe Hotel and kept until
morning. We could not but feel sens.
ible OF the refined politeness and tender
consideration that prompted this humane
proposition and escorted Ryan to the hotel,
where we took room for the night, Ru-
land and myself guarding the prisoner, as
| was fearful lest an effort would be made
TO take him from ia. In the morning
repeatedly requested Detective Curtin TO
remove Ryan TO the station house, but he
declined until he could see Malloy. We
went down to breakfast, and while there
one OF the crowd came In and handed
Ryan some money, and heard Paddy re-
mark in an aside, '"I'll be oyer there after
awhile" After breakfast we went out In
the hall, where we met Sheriff j. A..
Honk, whom consulted In regard TO the
answering OF the writ OF hRbedS corpus,
which was returnable at 10 o'clock, and
inquired ofhlm the name Of the proseCut-
ing attorney, and turning around / missed
Detective Curtin and Ryan, and as l had
10 40 the prosecuting attorneys office,
directed the New York detective, Rutland,
to follow them. He returned in o
few moments. and told me that Curtin
had permitted Ryan TO escape. This was
done by Curtin accompanying Ryan TO
his bar.room, where he succeeded In
Guiding his YlgilanCe2 A pretended effort
was made to recapture Ryan by the AL.
bany authorities by sending detective TO
Troy and taking other steps, hut I was
satisfied from the start that the prisoner
would be given every facility for escaping.
It was evident to me from the outstart
that the police OF Albany were averse TO
giving me any assistance In the matter. l
am also satisfied that there are too
much politics mixed up in the
city affairs, and that Paddy and
his friends are o strong element In
them. Chief OF Police Malloy at one
time wrote 10 Superintendent Walling, OF
New York, letter in answer 10 one re.
Ceiyed stating that Ryan was in Albany,
but begged that no mention OF his action
In the matter would be made. II is cur.
rent In Albany that the Mayor OF that city
is one Of Ryan's hackers and while l was
there prominent gentleman. holding the
Office Of Superintendent OF PUBLIC Build.
ings, came into the Chief OF Police Head.
quarters, and inquired II we would take
s., 900 in Government bonds and offered
to put them up for the appearance Of the
offender.
In my opinion and that OF others they
have treated with contempt the mandate
Of their Governor and conspired 10 70.
lease fugitive from Justice, whose only
claim 10 their consideration IL bis In.
fluenCe and popularity with the vilest
element ofsoGiety."
The Major feels very bitter toward the
authorities OF Albany, and cannot divert
himself 10 the idea that Ryan's escape was
ii some way Connived at by them. Al.
bsny, he says, Is city OF nearly 100000
population with police force Of 1870 men
whose members are just strong enough 10
allow any man to escape, providing he has
enough funds to stand by the dominant,
or Democratic party OF that city.
He also wishes 10 take occasion 10 thank
Supt. Wallihg for his unremitting atten.
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