Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-03-02
A Maryland Robbery Plotted In

a maryland RODDefy Plotted In
Washington The trial of VIM. Cornell,
in Cumberland, Nd, in April, 1877, for as
sault on Benjamin Fawcett and Edward
Mulvaney, the treasurer and superintendent
of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Compa-
ny, TO which reference was recently made
in the Star by letter from Mr.. Fawcett, is
of interest in this city, in the light of recent
developments. 1t was brought out during
the trial at Cumberland in 1877, that Cor
nell, who lived in Georgetown, was a mem
her of the same gang in this city, whose
depredaiions are now being brought 10 light.
II seems that on the 18th Of October, 1915,
Mr.. Fawcett anil Mr.. Mulvaney started
from Cumberland in II buggy, and went
down the canal, according 10 their monthly
custom, 10 pay of the hands Of the COM
pany. They had with them over $1,000 in
cash. When they had reached II place
called Mexico Farm, about seven miles from
Cumberland, they were attacked by three
men in black masks. These men jumped
from behind some bushes as the buggy ap-
preached and emptied their pistols at the
two gentlemen in the buggy. One ball went
through Mr.. Mulvaney's coat, and the horse
starting off rapidly they escaped withoutin.
jury. A man by the name of Basse was ar
rested for this assault and convicted, Bar
ney McQuade was said To be another. VIM.
Cornell was convicted Of this assault and
sentenced for seven years in the peniten-
tiary.
On the trial c. c. Pearson, of this city,
testified that in September (the assault be-
ing committed in October Thomas Done
hue, OF this city, William Cornell and him.
self had u conversation about the matter,
and they asked witness 10 see McQuade
about it, Cornell, however, went TO see
McQuade himself, and afterwards told wit
ness that "they had seen McQuade and
made arrangements for Donohue, Cornell,
Tom Curran and myself to go up and oap-
ture the paymaster." Cnrran was the name
Tom Base was known by. The witness
then recounts the journey to Cumberland
and how they fixed q pan at Mexico Farm
To wait for the paymaster. The witness left
them and returned ~ Washington, and re-
fused to join the gang in the affair because,
as he said. "they had told Detective Miller
that we had been up here Cumberland -
The witness related conversation with
Cornell after his return from the attempted
robbery. Cornell told him that the attempt
failed because the pistol would not 90 off.
He said that it was the pistol furnished by
Donohue, Cornell told the witness that
Donohue, just before 10 loft for Cumber-
land, had given him $5, and after the attack
he ran through the woods and struck the
railroad and got train for Washington
Cornell told witness that when he got to
Washington the first place he went to was
'atsey Morgan's. lie was with Donohue,
and they vent there for tbe pnrpQSe If
Showing up" and letting others sec that
they were in Washington. On cross-exaIn.
ination the witness said that he helped to
TO put this job up, but did not go into il be-
cause Detective Miller knew all about it,
The thing was given away 10 Miller by
pon'hne- lYesA...g.ee slag.
The work of the United States fish com.
mission merits the most hearty commenda-
ton. TO increase the supply Of wholesome
food Is an object worthy Of the beat efforts
Of prudent legislators and wise scientists.