The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1909-04-15
A NOTORIOUS RASCAL
Bold Exploits Of Colonel Thomas
Blood In England.
TRIED TO STEAL THE CROWN
The Daring Scamp Almost Sueeeedee,
Toe. and Managed to Escape Pun.
ishrer, After Beng csptured-ttis
A;task on the Duke Of Orr,orde.

the most reckless and brazen soldiers
~ fortune that ever cut swath in
England was the notorious Colonel
Thomas Blood.
This choicest Of seventeenth century
scouudrcls was horn probably in Ire.
land in or about lG1S During the civil
war hc was active on the pariamen-
tary side. was made a justice ~ the
peace hy Henry Cromwell and received
large grants ut land. These were con-
hScatcd ut the restoration. and Blood
forthwith began his career as a des-
perado.
His first plot was to seize Dublin cas-
lie and the person Of the Duke Of Or
monde. the lord lieutenant IN 1868 A
crowd was TO be collected at the castle
gates. a pretended baker with a load
of bread upon his shoulder was 10
stumble and upset the loaves, and In
the scramble which would probably en-
sue among the castle guards the gates
were 20 be seized. but the plot was be
traycl 20 Ormoude. and. although
Blood himself escaped his hrother-in-
law was arrested and executed.
After period of scclusion among the
Irish hills and in Holland. Blood cross
ed 10 England and joined the nifty mon
archy men After one or two minor
deeds OF daring he planned and nearly
carried out a desperate stroke in 1870
In that year the Prince of orange visit.
ed England and was entertained by the
city of London. In his train on the oc-
Casiou was the Duke of Ormonde.
against whom Blood uursed undying
hate The duke was dragged from his
coach In -. James street 10y Blood and
his son-in-law. strapped on horseback
10 one Of the conspirators and hurried
toward Tybum. SO determined was
the PRIME mover in the affair that his
enemy should die that he hurried on
toward the Gallows 10 arrange the rope
The dukes coachman gave the alarm
and followed his master with assist
ance. and timely rescue was effected
on May IN the following year Blood
made his great attempt TO carry of the
Tower Jewels He set about the task in
quite modern style. Some three
weeks tefore the attempt he and a wo-
man whom be represented as his wife
his real wife being then In the north
OF Englsnd-yisited the Tower. where
the lady feiCned a sudden Illness. She
and her companion were invited into
the private apartments Of Edwards.
the aged keeper. that she might rest
and recover.
Three or four days later they return
ed with a present Of gloves as an ac-
knowledgment OF the civility. Blood
was courtesy itself. admired every
thing. but especially Edwards pretty
daughter. and presently proposed a
match between the young lady and his
nephew" This was agreed 10. and
the visitors M once dlued with the fam
lily. Blood pronouucing an edifying
grace. After dinner they were shown
over the house. Blood managed 10 rid
Edwards of a case OF pistols by pur-
chasing them FOR frie.d aud it was
arranged that the nephew" should be
brought FOR Inspection by his future
bride At o'clock on the morning OF
May q
Punctual % the day and hour y
appeared with three comprehensive
rot. Hunt and Holloway. Each had
sword stick In his hand. a dagger In his
belt and pistols IN his pockets. IIollo.
way remained outside 10 guard the
door
Blood, with a nice regard for the Ell.
quette Of the occasion. proposed that
they should await the arrival OF his
wife before Joining the ladies and that
Edwards should show them the crown
jewels 10 while away the time The
jewel room was entered and the door
az usual. closed. Edwards was az once
attacked. gagged and bound, an iroL
hook being even attached 20 his nose
that no sound might pass from him
mat way IN spite of threats he
struggled sa.lantly. was knocked down,
stabbed and left for dead Parrot put
N" c!ot" In his loose hreeches BLOOD
crushed mp the crown and thrust II be.