The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-03-12
WILL STREET TO NEWGHT6
Austin BidWell'sN Thrilling Tale
of Life via the prim-
rose Way.
The Tweed Ring of New York
His First Educator in
Crime.
copyrighted by Charles Austin Bates.
CONTINUED


any rate it proved that whatever my in
tentions might be had at least hailed
last from Havana, and this would prevent
my peppery captain from enjoying the
pleasure of standing me up in the morn
ing to be fusilladed, such being the law
for captives in the savage contest.
Down my gentleman sat on a barrel,
pompous and important, and ordered me
to be searched. All this time a dozen
hands were holding me fast. 1 told my
officer he was q fool and a clown, but
my captors began to go through my
pockets, and speedily there was heap
of gold and paper money on the BARREL
and my little friend fingered it with a
covetous eye. Ihad my $40, 900 in bonds
pinned in the sleeve Of my undershirt
This they missed, but found all else I
carried In the meantime there was all
eager audience looking on, absorbed in
the interest of the scene
There was collection indeed on that
barrel Besides my ring, there were five
other valuable diamonds, and my chro-
nometer, with it's regular beat and
stem winding arrangement, was great
curiosity. Then the heap of money was
a loadstone for all their hungry eyes.
The captain was making out an inven-
tory and statement, while I stood white
with rage to see the half breeds, blacks,
browns and yellows handle my property
so freely. I was especially in rage
with the impudent captain, who had the
nerve to put my watch in his pocket.
Absorbed by the interest Of the scene,
my captors had insensibly loosened their
hold, and 1 determined to have some
satisfaction out of the captain. Sudden
~ Selling one of the revolvers before l
could be stopped, gave him singing
blow with it and sprang on him. We
rolled on the floor, and there was a
scene. I was dragged off by so hands,
every one trying to seize me if only by
one hand The captain got up with the
blood running down his face, and rush
ing to peg he seized saber bayonet
and flew at me like mad bull. I shout
ed at him in Spanish, calling him a
cur and coward, bidding him to come
captors held me firmly exposed to his
assault. Another second would have
ended my life, when woman spectator,
who stood near nursing a child, threw
her arms around him. This, joined to
my Indifference, for I continued my
jeers and taunts, changed his purpose,
to my disappointment, for I preferred
death to going back to Havana.
Ten days after 1 sailed once more into
Havana, this time prisoner. Two
days after my capture, by order of the
captain general Of Cuba, I was put on
board the little gunboat Santa Rita, a
wretched little tub that steamed four
miles an hour and took eight days going
from Puerto Novo on the south to Ha-
vana.
was taken by guard of soldiers to
the common prison, where an entire
corridor was cleared of it's inmates to
make room for me and my guards. Cap
tain Plnkerton was the first man to call.
He OF course was delighted to see me.
While giving me credit for my escape,
he told me he did not purpose to have
me leave him again, and, having per-
mission from the authorities, he or some
OF bis men intended to keep me COM
pany night aad day. Of course re-
spectei Curtin for bis honest determine
ton to do his daty. He really was an
altogether good fellow ahd showed me
all possible courtesy and consideration.
In fact, Oh his first visit he brought me
a letter from my wife along with a box
OF cigars and o bottle of wine on his
own account
>. One of his men, Of the name of Perry,
seq to sleep in my little room>with me,
md e ery morning Curtinwould relieve
lin, remaining until dinner time. We
lad many long talks on all sorts of sub
ects, and he gave me many inside his
;ories of famous criminal cases which
ne had been engaged in. In time we be-
came very good friends, and am happy
to state that Captain John Curtin is to-
day we'll and hearty, prosperous man
and very generally respected by the citl-
zens of San Francisco where he lives.
About ten days after my arrival he
brought me a New York Herald con-
tanning these dispatches:
Especial to New York Herald
MADRID, April L. 1878.
The American ambassador, General Sickles,
has formally notified Senior CASTELAR, that the
American government will consent to the sur
render to the British government of Austin
BidweIl, now under arrest in Havana upon
charge of being concerned in the Bank of Eng
land forgery.
Especial to New York Herald
LONDON, April IL, 1873.
To the great qualification OF the authorities
here official confirmation is given to the ru'
NOR that the Spanish government has con-
cluded to grant the extradition of Austin Bid
well, now under arrest in Havana. There
seems to be no doubt that Bidwell is the mys-
terious Frederick Albert Warren and there is
a very general curiosity to see him. Many
conflicting stories have been published Of his
extraordinary escape and equally extraor'
binary capture. The Times report had 1t that
he was mortally wounded and that he had on
his person when captured diamonds to ar
enormous value, which had disappeared soor
after Sergeants Hayden ana Green of the
Bow street force and Mr.. Good Of the Bank o.
England sail on the Java tomorrow to escor
Bidwell to London.