Year: 1873

the escape of Harry Genet from the custody OF the
deputy Sheriff who had been depued TO keep
guard over him. The fact leaked out early In the
ymorning long before the courts had opened, and
was generally known on the street before 1t was
onicialy announced in the Court OF Oyer and Ter
miner, where Genet was 20 have been sentenced
during the forenoon. To say that the intelligence
of the escape created general surprise would be
but halt describing the general feeling which pre-
vailed wherever 1t was made known. Indeed,
people did not seem so much surprised over the
lmatter as they were indignant and the blunder-
hng Deputy sherirs, Shields and Cahill came in for
a great deal OF harsh denuncaton. There were
many who refused to put any faith in the rumors
which prevailed concerning the escape at first,
but when the evening papers finally appeared
with extras in which they were fully confirmed
THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT TOWN


became intense. At the City Hail and in the
new Court House, the grand rendezvous of all the
nothing-to do politicians and politicians hangers
on OF both parties, the news spread like widhre
and for time the Railways and corridors were
completely blocked up by the crowds that surged
ITO and fro in the general effort to reach the
Sheriff IS main Office, where 1t was supposed
every detail concerning the escape could be
obtained for the mere asking. But there the ex-
citement was found to be even greater, if possible





gathered here and there in groups eagerly de-
vouring every detail as to the escape which any
body saw fit to make up for the occasion and pass
OF as positive fact, and lending willing ear to
what this that and the other one had told this and
that one and somebody else. Indeed, the scene in
The Office beggared description. No one seemed
to know exactly how the escape had been made,
or even to the time it took place, or from what
particular locality. Everything was hearsay and
third or fourth hearsay at that. While one person.
who pretended TO have seen the deputy who had
had charge OF Genet running into police head
quarters at an early hour 'slooKing ike wild
man, asserted that Harry had got away rom
his house In Harlem, another in denying the asser
zion with a sneer added to the denial long story
about how the prisoner had left the Astor
House about midnight in a carriage and
mad been conveyed 10 the Jersey City depot
without baggage aud even without a deputy as a
courteous escort to do his bidding in all things
whatsoever he desired The fact is, that during
the first few hours while the news of the escape
was yet but half believed by the most increduous
even after the evening newspapers had come out
with what were dubbed the particulars . no one
In the once knew anything about the matter OF his
own knowledge or had derived any intelligence
from any one who really did know the crcum-
stances under which Genet had taken his leave. As
to the Sherifrs private ONCE, 1t remained long
while closed mystery to every one, no matter
what his business was. Even the deputies who re-
qured the Sherif's personal attention to make
good certain orders they had received on Satur-
day, were unable to gain admittance, and persons
on urgent private business had for hours, to cool
their heels in the vestibule before the door was
opened to any one. 1t was the same in the onice
where the clerical work Is done; there were gaping
groups OF idle loterers all anxious to learn


SOMETHING DEFINITE ABOUT THE ESCAPE,


and many persistent in their inquiries as to when
the Shern would see them. and who bolstered up
their anxiety to learn from his lips what he knew
or had heard OF it, by some lame apology for their
persistence, such as that they could make him
wiser by giving him valuable Information, or
throwing out few important hints as to what
they had heard some one say Genet was to do on
Sunday, or what they had heard some one tell
somebody else some one ought to do in getting
Genet out OF the way on Monday. The Sheriff all
day long, despite the excitement that prevailed
everywhere in the building kept his own counsels
TO himself, and denied himself to everybody except
few whom he was obliged to receive officially.
But he too, was excited. though he tried to ap-
pear cool, and evidently felt badly over the dep
uty's gross carelessnes. The excitement over
the escape had by noontime spread TO every
part OF the city and On the sidewalks among the
hundreds who stopped on the street corners to
read the papers announcing the sudden taking or
OF the Harlem Prince, in the hotels, IN the rest
aurants-everywhere, in TACT, where two or more
persons came together the theme OF the
hour was Genets disappearance The feel
ing manifested everywhere too, was one
OF the utmost Indignation and disgust at
the way 'Justice In the city is made farce
op'-to use the substance, II not the very words,


nfyefn


matter. The poor deputy came in ior all sorts OF
tmpre cations, and where there was one who knew
him personally and tried to defend him against
the attacks made upon his character and the
charges OF bribery that we're made and passed
from mouth to mouth there were dozen who gave
him no quarter, and, IN the general sweep
OF condemnation, included the entire batch
ol the city oficias. II would in point OF truth be
Impossible to give any accurate idea OF the public


ceiling as manifested on all sides by the remarrs
one heard at every STEP 1t was deer-seated. In.
tense and bitter, and IL was felt sorely by the
officials most concerned, as any one could see who
took the pains to watch the scared looks OF the
deputies in the Court House, as, late in the alter
noon, they fitted in and out from time to time in
executing orders that directly concerned


THE HUNT AFTER THE MISSING MAN.


As to the escape itself. how 1t was made, far 50
rs known, and wrere the whole blame ies the story
can be briefly told. In the first place. 1t should be
'bore In mind that Genet, after his conviction, did
mot, as was generally supposed, go to his home In
Harlem. He had his Affairs to look after down
town, and so he hired two rooms zone being par-
lori at the Astor House, Nos loo and 1877 on the
second moor, the windows OF which look ont upon
yesey street. There on Friday afternoon, all day
Saturday and Sunday, too until late in the after.
noon, did he establish his headquarters. and
there, so long as he remained, was the parlor
fmade resort OF by all his particular friends, who
1elt friendly enough TO call upon him. and
10y their presence and their words OF encourage
turned all HIS old churns against hI. This parlor
on Saturday was fuIl OF the Princess old asso-
hand to keep him company Had Genet at the
time desired 70 escape he could have done so; for
che door OF the bedroom on the paror was always
y whom he wanted 70 g Ak to privately. There was