Year: 1875

NEW YORK, Dec. 4.


This evening, about 7:i4, VIM. NJ Tweed
escaped from the custody of officers while on
a visit to his wife at his old home, corner OF
Madison avenue and Fifteenth street.


It seems that for several weeks back Mr..
Tweed has been taken from Ludlow Street
Jail to his house, about six O'Clock, where he
remained short time with his family.
On this occasion Tweed asked the officers
to permit him to have a few mo-
ments' private conversation with his
wife. This privilege was granted him, and he
went upstairs. After he had been gone
about fifteen minutes the officers concluded
that it was about time to start for Ludlow,
and asked a son OF the Boss TO step upstairs
and call his father. The young man went up,
and after few moments returned, and in the
coolest manner possible told the Sheriff:


"Pa is gone. He is not upstairs


Then ensued a scene. The officers rushed
up and down stairs, searching every possible
spot where the burly form Of the " Boss"
could be concealed, but all in vain. He had
broken from his tolls and was making one
bold effort for liberty. The telegraph was set
in operation, and men dispatched in every di-
rection in search of the fugitive.


Sheriff Conner joined in the hunt and had
men sent to cover every possible place OF
exit from the city. Matsell and Walling
Joined the party and assisted in devising
means to secure the capture of the noted



that all their efforts would prove futile, and
that even then he was far beyond their reach


The police called at the residence OF the
notorious Mrs. McMullen, but, as was antici
pated, no trace of him was found in that
quarter.


The precise manner of his escape is still
unknown, but it is thought that it was done
through the sanction Of the Jail warden and
of friends in league; that he was at once
taken to the bay and placed on vessel tina,
is now bearing him away to some South
American State, where ne eXtradition treaty
can molest or make him afraid.


NEw YORK, Dec.


The papers, editorially, to-day are loud il
their denupciation OF Sheriff Conner for his
gross and culpable negligence. The Sheriff
is holden to the State for the full amount o
the pecuniary damages which may be sus
tanned in the suits against Tweed, but hi
official bonds are only for $4,000.


The HerGld says the escape OF Tweed /:
the crowning shame of long series Of dis
graces. Nothing new could excel this in in,
fanny but the failure Of the police TO retakI
him. Tweed must be retaken or American
Justice will be the laughing-stock Of thu
world. His escape was precisely similar tC
that of Harry Genet's. He was driven 10 his
house by Deputy Sheriff, asked permission
to see his wife, left the deputy cooling his
heels in the parlor and walked of, too safe
to run.


The World intimates its belief that the Gus
todiaRs OF Tweed connived at his escape, ant
saws il is probable that they have been sti
pendiaries of the prisoner for months, grant
ing him. for a consideration, those favor
which are always for sale at a debtors prison
Whether captured or not, his property viii
serve to satisfy the judgments against hin
IN the suits to recover the plunder taken from
the city. The World says that Sheriff Conner
and Warden Durham are liable to fine OF
81 900 and one years imprisonment for then
neglect, and II Tweed Is not forthcoming they
will be apt to get the full benefit of the law.


The Times says that whatever penalty car
be eXacted from Sheriff Conner ought to b'
insisted on to the uttermost.


A report has been in circulation all day to
day, but cannot be verified, that Tweed es
capped a week ago, and is now well away from
the country.


There is no cessation to-day in the excite
ment created on Saturday night Throughout
the city by the announcement of the escape
OF Tweed Police Commissioners Matsell ha
no theory in regard TO the escape, but saiC
emphatically that in his opinion there wa
| coliusiOn somewhere. Supt. Walling, at lat
hour this evening, stated that thus far not th'
| slightest cleW had been obtained by hin
which might put him on the track Of the fu
| gitive, as the police were unable to find anl
| person who saw the coach which is supposed
| TO have carried Tweed OFF, or the driver Of tn
| coach, who had been left at his residence b,
| the Sherid's officers. Tue Sheriff's deputie
| are SCORING the city also without any result
| The police are still Of opinion that Twee'
/ passed out Of the front basement door an'
was taken to Sixtieth street and East River
where he embarked In small steam vessel.