The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-10-25
CURIOSITIES OF CRIME.
BLooD's ATTEMPT TO STEAL THE GROWN
FROM THE TOWER OF LONDON.

BOON dILeT Tie IAtSlOI dIlOiI, SiIo'IiSo -
permitted the regalia in the Tower to
be exhibited to the public. The keep
er of the Tower allowed the gratuities
given ny visitors to the under keeper
In charge instead of a salary. The per
son holding the position was one Jal-
bot Edwards. an old confidential ser
want of his family.
In the year 1853, Blood contrived
the idea of stealing the rich treasures
thus exposed. In order to study the
ground he went to the Tower dressed
as a clergyman of the English church,
in a long cloak, cassock and girdle, &C
by woman whom he call
ed his wife. They desired to see the
regalia, and, just as their wishes had
been gratified, the lady feigned sud
den indisposItion; this called forth
the kind offices of Mrs. Edwards, the
keepers wife, who, having courteous
ly invited her into their house to re-
pose herself, she soon recovered and,
on their departure, protested them
selves thankful for this civility.
A few days after, Blood came again.
bringing present to Mrs. Edwards
of four pairs of white gloves from his
pretended wife; and having thus be
gun the acquaintance, they made fire.
quent visits to improve it. After a
short respite of their compliments,
the disguised ruffian returned again;
and, in conversation with Mrs. Ed
wards, said that his wife could dis
course of nothing but the kindness of
those good people in the tower-that
she had long studied, and at length
bethought herself of handsome way
of requital.
You have, "quoth he, "a pretty young
gentle woman for your daughter, and
| have a young nephew, who has two
OF three hundred a year in land, and
is at my Disposal If your daugh-
ter be free, and you approve it, I'll
bring him here to see her, and will en-
deavor to make it a match"
This was easily assente6 to by old
Mr.. Edwards, who invited the parson
to dine with him on that day; he
readily accepted the invitation; and,
taking upon him to say grace, per
formed it withsseeming devotion, and,
casting up his eyes, concluded with a
prayer for the King, Queen and Royal
family.
After dinner, he went up to see the
rooms. and, observing handsome case
of pistols hang there, expressed a
great desire to buy them, to present
to young lord who was his neighbor;
a pretense by which he thought of
disarming the house against the per-
iod intended for the execution of his
design. At his departure, which was
a canonical benediction of the good
company, he appointed day aud
hour to bring his nephew to see his
mistress, which was the very day that
he made daring attempt,
The good old gentleman had got up
ready to receive his guest, and the
daughter was in her best dress to en-
terrain her expected lover, when be
hold, Parson Blood, with three more,
came to the jewel house, all armed
with rapier- blades i'll their canes, and
every one dagger and brace of
pocket-pistols. Two of his compan-
ions entered in with him, on pretense
of seeing the crown, and the third
staid at the door, as if to look after
the young lady, a jewel of more
charming description, but in reality
as a watch.
The daughter, who thought it not
modest to come down till she was
called, sent a maid to take view of
the company, and bring description
OF her gallant; and the servant, con
ceiving he was the intended bride
groom who staid at the door, being
the youngest of the party, returned
to sOothe the anxiety of her young
mistress with the idea she had formed
of his person.
Blood told Mr.. Edwards that they
would not go upstairs till his wife
came, and he desired him to show his
friends the crown to pass the time till
then; and they had no sooner enter
ed the room, and the door, as usual,
shut. than cloak was thrown over
the old mans head, and a gag was put
in his mouth. Thus secured. they
told him that their resolution was to
have the crown, globe and scepter;
and, if he would quietly submit to it,
they would spare his life; otherwise
he was to expect no mercy. He there
upon endeavored to make all the
noise he possibly could to be heard
above; they then knocked him down
with wooden mallet. and told him
that, if yet he would lie quietly, they
would spare his life; but if not, upon
his next attempt to discover them,
they would kill him.
Mr.. Edwards, however, according
to his own account, was not intimidat
ed byithis threat, but strained himself
TO make the greater noise. and, in
received several more
blows on the head with the mallet.
and was stabbed in the stomach, this
again brought the poor old man to the
ground, where he lay for some time
n so senseless a state, that the vii
lans pronounced him dead Edwards
lad come a little to himself, and hear.
ne this, lay quietly, conceiving it best
o be Sc.
The DO oty was now to be disposed
#, and one of them named Parrot. |
ecreted the orb. Blood held the !
rown under his cloak: and the third |
vas about to file the scepter in two, IN
rider that it might be placed in bag
for that purpose; but, for
the son of Mr.. Edwards, who |
lad been in Flanders with Sir John |
talbot, and, on his landing in Eng |
and had obtained leave to come away |
'ost haste to visit his father, happen, |
d to arrive whilst this scene was act |
az; and on coming to the door. the |
'erson who stood sentinel asked with |
'hom he would speak; to which he
answered that he belonged to the
be house; and perceiving the person
o be a stranger,told him that if he had
nv business with his father. he would |