Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-04
INDEED A REMARKABLE STORY.
John Kelly and the Men Who were
Hired to Assassinate Him.

From the CleUelGnd Leddsr.
Speaking of Tilden reminds me Of a remark
able story heard of John Kelly yesterday.
1t comes to me indirectly through Mr.. Gum
bleton. When the Tweed ring was at the top
OF Its power and was squandering the mil
lions of the New York taxpayers Tweed con-
CeIved the idea OF extending Its reign 70 Ihe
whole United States. The ring should put up
its President and have him elected, ana the
Treasury at Washington should be controlled
by Boss Tweed even as the New I ork Treas
ury was then. IIlden and other New ork
politicians OF the better sort learned OF the
scheme, and council was held IN wnlch IL
was determined that the Tweed ring must be
broken at all hazard. Tllden consented 10 run
fer Governor of New York, and there was
needed a powerful supporter in Tanmany.
John Kelly was just the man. Illden called
upon him. and after much persuasion got the
promise OF his help. lie promised TO defy
Tweed in Tammany Hall. Tiden was elected
( Governor, and Kelly did DEFY Tweed. and
that to such an extent that the Tweed ring
, saw that Jonn Kelly must be gotten out OF
the way or the ring would have to be broken,
and Its leaders would 90 TO the penlIenLary'
It was decided to kill John Kelly, and the
! Tweed ring had at that time plenty OF men
under them who would not hesitate to com
nit murder if ordered to dc so and pad for 1t.
Three rOuShS were selected, and the plot was
laid. John Kelly never slept more tEan four
hours at night during the active parts OF his
life. and it was his custom to rise at4 a. IN. every
day and take walk before he sat down TO
work There was an unfinished building OPP
poslte his house, and IN this the three murder
ers were TO conCe Al themselves. They were to
De well armed, and the weapon of the killing
was o be the sandbag. They expected to slip
Up behind Kelly as he came out in the early
morning and slug him. No one would be stir
ring and, with the assistance Of Tweed's lieu
tenants, there would be little danger of detec-
ton. 1t happened, however, that the plot
discovered by an old man, who was
friend Of hellys. the night before it was put
IN execution, and this man called upon John
Kelly that nj ght and told HIM for Gods sake"'
not tostir out in the early morning.
Kelly did not pay much attention TO the
story. and seemed inclined to laugh at it,when
the man said:
intend 10 Kill you, Mr.. Kelly. They will do it
if they can, and beg you not to give them
chance"
Kelly replied that he was not afraid, and
the man left, begging HIM with tears to stay
in the house.
Four O'Clock the next morning came, and
with 1t John Kelly, dressed as usual and with
a rather hard look on his bulldog like face,
stepped down from his front door. He did not
walk up the street, as usual, however, but
| turned and went straight across the way to
the deserted house in which the would-b be
assassins were concealed. He walked In and
found them, and before they could raise their
arms said, in a cool, clear voice:
~ understand you men have been employed
to murder me-
Before he could say more the men were so
astOunded and frightened that they turned
and ran. They knew Kelly and Kelly knew
them. Still he never allowed the story of
! their intended crime to get out, and he never
punished them in any way. He did not relax
his efforts, and he mad the satisfaction of see
Ing Tweed in prison and his partners in crime
relieved Of their millions Of stealngs.