New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-23
Amy AN ESCAPED CONVICT.
THE NEW-HAMPsHIRE MURDERER IDEyTI.
FLED AS GEORGE H. ABBOTT.
TWICE SENTENCED TO THE STATE pp1sox For
DURGLARY-HIs DESPERATE FIGHT
FOR FREEDOM

FOR FREEDOM
Hanover n. H.. Aug. 22.-It has been established
beyond doubt that Frank c. Amy is none other
than George II. Abbott, who escaped from the Yer
mont sta'e Prison at Windsor about four years ago
Warden Cakes and two superintendents from Windsor
this morning positively identified him as the man SEN
fenced. Abbott is known rs an expert burglar and
desperate criminal When he escaped from the State
Prison at Windsor, VT, reward of S4Oo was offered
for his capture
prominent citizen OF Thetford VT who lives MT
far from where Abbotts home was in this town saws
that Abbott came TO hetford when about fifteen years
ola 10 live with his uncle Israel Abbott. lie was n
bright, quick witted boy. but showed a merked pro
pehslty Tor stealing. He at time stole a stove
and set up blacksmith shop on the bank Of the
Connecticut River. AS he grew older he showed a
fOhoness Tor girls and was great favorite with them
and gentlemanly In his conduct toward them
In 1875 he was arrested for breaking into Hale's
iewelry store at Orford and was sentenced b. four
years in the State prison at Concord His term was
shortened by good behavior. He returned 10 Thct-
ford and lived, far as is known, most exemplary
life until 1ss0. During the early part Of that year
the towns of Thetford, Fairee and Oxford were ran
sacked generally by some midnight marauder who was
later found to be Abbott. He was shot in the hip
while making his escape from ]. X. Carr's house in
Oxford These depredations committed with
great adrOitness, but suspicion soon fell upon Abbott
lie had disappeared from his uncle's farm, where he
had lived at Thetford, but glmpses obtained Of him
by people whose houses and stores he had robbed
confirmed their suspicious. II had been noticed that
strange hand-car had been seen several times
the railroad near Ely station, on the Passumpslc
Railroad This, with other things led 10 the con-
clusiOn that the outlaw had headquarters that
place.
Next day after the November election IN 1880 a
general hunt was OF sanzed. Seventy five men, well
armed, after half d days search. located him in
rudely built Init among the lodges which plainly
looked the station at Ely and not more than half
mile away lie resisted desperately, and was fired
upon some twenty shots taking effect. lie
naffy overpowered and taken into custody by Sheifs
Berry Of Thetford and Peaslee Of Bradford. He was
taken to Berry's house and put 10 bed, much weak
ened from loss Of blood and appeared almost helpless
After remaining there several days he said he was
gaining no strength. On Monday morning. the fourth
day Of his captivity, while Berry out of the room.
he made break from his bed and, in his Shirt dashed
from the room, Satchng coat as he ran. He was
not missed till of sight Another search
started, and ne found hiding in stone culvert
under the railroad and secured. He told the officers
then that II he had not been badly wounded he
would have the Connecticut River and made
COOL his escape. He was then taken 10 Helsea Jail
tried and sentenced - fifteen years. lie pleaded
guilty to nine charges Of burglary.
Abbott conducted himself well in prison that he
gained the condde1ce Of every officer connected with
the institution A. the end of about seven years he
received place Of trust took advantage OF II and
escaped BY going the prison wall about O'Clock
one October night in 1857. lie had 10 report every
fifteen minutes at the prison Office, so his absence
was sOon noted. With but fifteen minutes start
be psed his time so well that he was never tracked,
sy,G no clue was obtained TO lead TO his recap
ture although big reward was offered and he was
thoroughly advertised.
Amy was guarded last night in his room
in the Wheelock House by officers, who re-
neved each other at intervals. lie rested
quietly until IL O'Clock, when he fell into
dellious condition and talked of love, poetry, natural
history and other things. lie sang with a firm strong
voice several verses OF The Mocking Bird" and when
he came to singing DER her grave" his voice broke
and he was completely overcome. He then told the
story of the hotel guest who, not understanding The
proper use of the rope hreescape put the cord around
lis body and jumped out without manipulating the
check pulley As he described the result ana pct
ured the man dangling at the end OF the rope, he
lau ched heartily. His talk on natural history was
followed by expressions of great love for flowers Az
= O'Clock this morning he became more quiet.