The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-09-02
STEALING ENGLAND'S CROWN.
One of the Most Original and Daring Rob-
berries in Modern History.

berries In Modern History.
Perhaps one of the most daringly con-
ceived and executed robberies in history
is that which occurred in the year 1918.
when the bold attempt was made by
Col. Blood and his associates to get
away with the crown, orb and scepter
of English royalty. One is almost
tempted to wish that the scheme, car
ried SO far, had been success-a feel
ing engendered, no doubt, by the in
stinctive sympathy that humanity feels
with any who attempt a daring deed.
Blood was no ordinary thief or bur
glar. AS his title indicates, he had
served his king and his country in the
army, and had been a gallant officer.
His confederates were one Parrot, sill,
dyer, who had seen some fighting in
the civil war between Roundheads and
Cavaliers, and young man named
Hunt, a son-in-law of the colonel
Blood fancied he had a grievance
against the king, alleging that he had
not been sufficiently paid for his serv-
ices. He had INDUCED in plots against
the king and the Duke of Ormonde,
which failing, he bethought himself of
the crown jewels as offering rich
plnnder as well as his coveted revenge
HIS plan was ingenious. Attired in
a PARSONS habit and accompanied by "a
woman who posed as his wife, he visited
tle Tower of London, and requested
tobe shown the regalia. The warder,
u Mr. Edwards, received them courte-
o,sly, and conducted them to the jewel
n6ver. While they were inspecting the
symbols of royalty the woman pre-
tended TO be suddenly seized with Sc
we're pain and fell in Il faint. Sympa-
thetic yet cautious Edwards sent his
wife for restorativcs, but did not leave
the apartment. Mrs Blood socn recov-
cred sufficiently to be able to stand, but
as she was still weak, she was invited
into the house to rest awhile. The
'parson' and his lady returned in three
or four days with Il gift of some gloves
as an evidence of gratitude to their
kindly hosts, and from this sprang
friendship and intimacy which ulti-
mately eliminated in the proposition
by blood of a match between his nephew
(really his son-in-law) and that pretty
gentlewoman," Edwards daughter Ed
was immensely pleased with the idea,
and invited the parson and his wife to
dinner the next day, when the final ar
rangements We're to be made, ostensibly
for the engagement of the young people.
but in reality for the theft of the regal
jewels.
At the hour appointed Col. Blood, his
nephew and two friends, of whom
Parrot was one, appeared at the tower
and were met by Edwards with cor
dial greeting. Edwards was arrayed in
purple and fine linen for the occasion,
or, as we should put it nowadays, he
was gotten up regardless To pass
the time until dinner was ready they
went into the jewel house, leaving the
nephew" at the door as a sentinel.
Once inside work was quickly begun.
A cloak was thrown over Edwards and
Wooden gag forced into his mouth. an
iron hook being used to close the nos
trils and prevent him from making the
slightest noise. He was told that to
resist meant death, but nevertheless,
he kicked, struggled, and tried in every
way to give the alarm He was then
knocked on the head with mallet, a
dagger was plunged into his breast, and
the conspirators believed him dead.
One man put the globe into his breeches
pocket, Blood hid the crown under his
cloak, and the third man tried desper-
ately to file the scepter in two. it being
too long to carry away in its entirety.
While all this was going on Edwards
son, who had just returned from the
sea. reached the tower. He was met by
the sentinel, who asked him his bust
ness, to which Edwards replied that he
belonged to the house Surprising that
the young man wished to see his father,
the warden, Edwards went upstairs
and promised to send his father down.
Hunt It the sentinel - immediately
gave the alarm and the conspira-
tors took flight. The old man
Edwards, who had only been feigning
death. Immediately pulled the gag from
his mouth and yelled Murder.
Treason His daughter heard the out
cry and rushed to his side. Seeing her
father wounded she i'm mediatelv ran
out upon Tower Hill and cried:
Treason. the crown is stolen The
alarm being thus given, Blood and his
companions found themselves in dan
ger. They nudged each others arms
and thereby aroused suspicion. where
upon they quickeued their steps.
Young Edwards and an officer OF the
Tower named Capt. Beckman were by
this time on the trail of the fugitives,
who had got beyond the main guard
The alarm was again given and the SEN
try at the drawbridge challenged the
men. Blood drew pistol and dis
charged it at the soldier, who was so
terrified that he Immediately dropped.
At the ward house, for some unac-
countable reason, no effort was made
to stop the thieves, and they gained the
street. They then led the mob in an
excited chase after the miscreants,
meanwhile making their way towards
their horses, which were tiei at st.
GATHERINGS gate. Young Edwards and
Beckman We're close a: their heels
however, and Blood fired his pistol at
Beckman. Beckman lodged the shot
and Immediately grappied with his OPP
panent, from under whose cloak he