Year: 1877

exile OF william M. Tweed. The folloW-
ing are the chief points of the story!


Tweed's Prison Advisers.


Tweed's messmate in Ludlow street
Jail was Charley Lawrence, the silk SNUG
gler, whose extradition led to the abroga-
tion of the treaty with England. From
him Tweed learned all necessary details
of existing treaties and laws on the sub
jeCt, and having concluded upon flight,
he resolved to reach Spain as the most
expedient shelter in view of the absence
of an extradition treaty with that Coun-
try. Another of the inmates of Ludlow
street prison was a person Of many pro-
fessional aliases, who has since been safe
ly lodged in penitentiary in Vermont.


He is best known by the name of Bliss,
and was the engineer ofthe extraordinary


Northampton Bank robbery. He was
also professionally engaged in the famous


Washington Safe burglary, This person


lodged on the upper floor, and had ap'


preached Tweed with a proposal to avail


himself of the removal of the iron graf


ings of his window which was on the
ground floor, and which would enable


them both to escape, the whole matter


to be managed from the outside by asso-


ciates of Bliss. The proposition had at


first been laughed at by Tweed, but meet


ing his professional neighbor in the court
yard of the Jail where they took exercise
the subject was more definitely discussed,
and outside friends of the professional


being called in, Tweed was persuaded OF
the practicability of plan which they
presented, and forthe execution of which
he agreed to pay stipulated sum.


No member of the bar, nor his counsel
nor any friend or person whatever of his
previous connections knew of his propos-
ed flight or had any part in its execution.
Neither did they know Of his whereabouts
at any time until it had become neCessa-
ry for him to communicate with them af-
ter his arrest in Cuba.


An Extraordinary Organization.


Tweed understood he was to be taken
in charge by a well organized body of
men distributed throughout the country
having every facility, their connections
and method being thoroughly tested and
well established. He was furnished with
short key for telegraphic communica-
tiCn and one for personal facility. The
latter included system of Enclosures
Though five different envelopes with ad-
dresses at removed points. He was to
find occasion to visit his home and deliv-
er himself over secretly and unattended
at mis- own door, The execution of the
included his landing in Spain
or under the spanish flag and on Spanish
territory safely and secretly, He was
given the name of John SeCor by which
he was to be known to his new Connec-
tions, and his personal identity and his
own name were to be concealed from
all persons without exception from
the moment he passed out of his own
stoop.


The exact minute of departure was fix
ed at eight o'clock in the evening, not
more than one moment before to one
minute after that hour exactly. The time
Of his fight was left undetermined, but
he was to visit his house on certain days,
and when the whole train was ready,
sign was to be given by certain mark
upon the stoop which he could see as he
ascended the steps,


Accordingly, Tweed took occasion to
obtain from the Sheriff and his keepers
The usual privileges" of the Jail yard to
visit his family and transact some bust
less. Several such visits having been
made to his house at the usual hour after
lark, he secretly made some preparations
# personal matters, and putting his busi-
less affairs in as good order as possible,
lnally reached the 4th of December, 1875 |
which proved the occasion of his depar-
ure.


Onthe evening of that day he was driv-
N in the customary hack, attended by |
wo keepers, to his house. Ascending |
he stoop he saw the sign. 1t was about
alf past seven o'clock and a dreary De-
ember evening. The signal at once
reused him with startling shock and
IS he describes the ocCurrenCe) his blood
nd his nerves were filled with an elec-
-ical excitement which thrilled every
Der of his frame. Controlling himself
18th some effort, he led his attendants to
leir wonted and welcome feast, which,
n this occasion was amply provided in
le dining room. The keepers ate and
weed took care also that they drank. At
st the right moment one of the keepers
,se and went to the washbasin in the
,om to wash his hands and get ready for
10 usual cigar after dinner. Tweed took
10 opportunity, rose also and saying he
ould wash in the adjoining room he
.ssed into the hall closing the door, He
lickly took the first hat and coat and
ipped out of the front door.
He saw the hack before the door with
1t driver, who also took advantage of
% occasion in the kitchen. Not a per.
n or sound appeared to respond to his
,pointment 1t was not one minute
st eight. He had stolen forth from his !
,me to put himself in the hands of
cked gang of desperadoes. AS he
runk back under shadow of the stoop, .
seemed to him long period of doubt, J


determination, until his attention !,
Is attracted by the noise of wheels and i


saw common tradesman's wagon, !
Oh as as is used by grocers and express ,
ivers. He saw also a mans arm reach :
{ from the cover, which was the sign
1t It was for him. AS he descended
) stoop he also saw a man passing slow


which caused him to hesitate, but this
rson said in a low tone, "all right; get Il
o the wagon" So he scrambled into v
covered wagon, which drove quickly Il
,und the block into Madison avenue. ii
as they got there, car having run off ii
track some mounted police and pas ii
gers stood in the way, and the fugitive Il
5 stopped for two or three minutes. 81
Q wagon soon started again and drove Of
zag across the city toward the North eE
er, which was soon reached, and be- 7
Q q big truck on the pier they stopped. VI
. driver said, "get out on the river ! q