Year: 1870

was arrested al New Haven, Conn. for horse steal.
Ing and shortly after, In the hope OF escaping
punishment, he made disclosures which led TO the
arrest or his confederates and the discovery silver
ware and other properly the value Of $4,000
cealed IN the loft OF church at Little Neck, L. l.
Knight was subsequently convicted OF horse stealing
ana sentenced TO ten years in the state Prison.
while number OF other Indictments against him
awaited the expiration OF his nrst OF sentence
While at prison IN Sing Sing his department was
remarkable for unusual excellence and. although
habituay taciturn. he performed with alacrlty and
cheerfuness any task imposed upon him. Holding
himself aloof from his fellow criminals. he became


MARKED CONVICT;


and when strange looking men whose bronzed fea-
lures betokened tropical life and whose numerous
scars proclaimed them wieders OF the sword) began
TO call frequently at the prison for the purpose OF
seeing Knight the latter was regarded by those
around him as possessing secret of no insgnin-
cant Importance. The mysterious pressure brought
to bear upon Knight by his visitors and their let
ters ut length affected his brain, and while conva-
lescing the prison pital last winter he penned
confession of his past crimes and presented 1t as
"a true statement" to DR.. Collins, The prison physi
clan. In reward, as he said, for the sympathy and
Kindness extended to him by the latter. 1t
then appeared that Knight was the only survivor
OF small party OF guerillas who had concealed


OVER MILLION DOLLARS IN COIN,


which had been captured from the troops of Maxi
milan during the efforts made by that Inflated
potentate to perpetuate his rule in Mexico. On the
nghtof March 80. as already reported IN the HER
AID. "the gold man." by which aDpellauon Knight
was known, while occupying cell on the upper tier,
out his way through the roof the prison and
escaped; since which time he has not been heard of
by the authorities.


THE CONFESSION.


In his confession, which is implicitly believed by
the prison people at Sing Sing, Knight states that he
was born and brought up IN Queens county, where
his father died when he (the narrator) was about
nine years old, leaving his mother ana three young
children without adequate means Of support. When
able to do for himself he worked for different
people In Queens county, where he bore u good
character alter whicn he went to learn trade with
hls brother-in-law at Little Neck. Here he formed
the acquaintance OF some reckless disSipated men
and soon acquired habits OF intOxlcatlOn until one
night, wn:ie under the influence OF liquor, he was
persuaded by two OF his companions to participate
IN q robbery. He was detected soon after, bus re-
ceived warning in time to avoid arrest by leaving
tue neighb0TnOod. A reward was offered for his ap-
prehensoD, but he made his way safely TO PhIladel-
phia. IL was winter; he had but little money and
sought in vain for employment. Standing one day
leaning against post in rather desperate mood
he felt hand laid uDOn hls shoulder, and turning,
found himself face TO face with well known despe
rado formerly OF Queens county The latter had heard
OF his misfortune at Little Neck and appeared over
loyed at meeting him. Seeing no other means Of
living open 10 him tnen he consented TO assist his
desperate companion; but after committing series
Of burgiarles III philadel phla he grew tired of the
nefarious business aad engaged on board whaling
vessel bound Tor the Pacific ocean. Not long alter
ward he found himself


sHIPwREcKED ON THE COAST or CHILE.


where he was the recipient OF extreme Kindness on
the part Of the natives Having formed Gesrc to
remain there he soon obtained berth on board
coasting vessel. where he stayed until the
death OF the captain, at which time he was
given @ hco o verS ere vesse ne ne
and insisted that he tknighE should make
home at his house whenever the vessel was In
IIl 4atnln O M mil hCn ilttI
and amiable girl, between wnom and himself
mutual attachment sprung up, resulting In a mar
riage engagement, with the tun consent OF her pa
rents. Notwithstanding his troubles IN the United
States he at that time considered himself fortu-
nate man. and has no doubt that he would have led
an honorable and happy life had not destiny ruled
otherwise Wnie making voyage rfom valpa-


s rSsrn~ was him nae1 nc ps
liking the appearance or the raksh looking craft he
paid no attention TO the command, and IN mo-
ment mole the stranger threw open por ion OF her
bulwarks from winch the muZZle oil gun was I'M
mediateiy projected, and


HEAVY CHARGE OF GRAPEsHor


came tearing over his deck, killing all Of the crew
except TWO. The pirates then boarded him, and he
was takea board their vessel, his hands and Ieet
tied and he confined between decks after which
they atrpped hls vessel OF whatever they wanted
when the pirate captain informed nm that Ne could
either hold himself IN readiness TO OBEY his orders
or else walk the plank" The ship finally entered
attempt to escape. The captain then required that
he should take an oath not TO leave the vessel,





fined between decks, aud In that situation he re-
manned for three months, during which time
the pirates. He ultimately consented to take
the oath dictated by the captain, and was
ration ne discovered that there was great deal Of
dissatisfaction existing among the crew. ana In an
evil moment he succeeded Ia incltlng muLiny.


The men were about equally divided and bloody
fight followed but when those who were on the side
oil the officers saw that their leaders had fallen they
surrendered, and he then found himself IN command
of the pirate schooner. Not liking the position, lie
subsequently resolved to destroy the vessel which
object he accomplished soon afterwards He then
made his way into Mexico and crossed the Isthmus
OF Panama but on arriving AT Tonala he could dnd
no means OF getting to chile. AT the former place
he fell In with band OF men who were about TO join
the Mexican army, and at their urgent Solicitations


VISIONS OF EXTENSIVE PLUMBER


he became one OF their number. without any un-
necessary delay they Joined tne army, but the com com
manded by an ambitious captain, who t1ougnt he
could do better by detacnng MS command from the
army and pursuing guerilla style OF warfare This
he did, taking with him some two hundred men;
and for about year they were shifting from place
could be obtained At length their band became de.
creased III NUMBERS, and the French army having
grown tired OF their repeated raids oegan TO use
Vigorous efforts for their capture. About this time
the captain informed him that ne was gong
to make an ncurson which would probably
Oe his last, as he then intended TO disband his
men. The contemplated rad was for the
purpose OF capturing a large amount OF treasure
which soon to be conveyed under strong
guard from Vera Cruz TO the city or Mexico THIS
capture was afterwards effected successfully; but
she French troops pursued them so closely that che
captain fearing they would be overtaken and per-
haps lose the booty III dgnt determined TO conceal
the treasure In the mountains. Not wishing thai all
his men should know


WHERE THE GOLD WAS HIDDEN


the captain, one night selected him and rev
other followers, by whose united assistance the
money was securely buried. They were sti being
pursueA - the enemy in superior numbers ana
aiu< several days were finally surrounded. Although
his captain held commission from the Mexican
government, they knew that II taken they
would be treated bandits, and they
therefore resolved to cut their way through
the French liues or perish In the attempt WnIle
carrying this last resolve nearly the whole band
Including the captain, were killed, u few OF them
escaping only TO be recaptured IN a Few hours. He
was placed IN o small tent by himself, his hands and
feet tied and q guard stationed over him. About
midnight he was visited by an officer, who having
first sent away the guard lest they should be over
Neard begged him reveal the hiding place Of the
cHn but ne refused TO talk on the subject unless his
nands and feet were oosened. No sooner had the