Phenix Gazette

From Niles's Register
As many erroneous statements have been published concerning Porter and Wilson, it may be proper that some leading facts should be given, which were officially known to the writer of this, as one of the late directors of the Maryland Penitentiary; and, during the years 1828 and 1829, one of the two members of the board who had chief charge over the police of the prison, of which these men were inmates.

Wilson was received in August 1826, for three years, for grand larceny, the particular offence not stated, as being twenty-five years old—and was discharged by the expiration of his sentence, 24th August, 1829.

Porter was received in February 1827, for two years, for store-breaking and stealing a dozen combs, as being 22 years old—and was discharged 2d February 1829, by the expiration of his sentence.

According to the records of the prison, Wilson is nearly 29 years, and Porter was less than 26 years, old.

They were both accounted bad men, but Porter was, in the language of the penitentiary, called a "good prisoner;" and it is not recollected that he ever was punished, except by a slight confinement in his cell, for not doing his task.

After his release in Feb. 1829, Porter commenced his trade of a weaver in Baltimore, and pursued it until Wilson came out in August, who joined Porter, and for a short time, labored at a loom, but they soon proceeded to Philadelphia together, and there were shortly afterwards joined by Abraham Poteet, who made his escape from the said penitentiary in June 1829: and then these three planned and executed the robbery of the mail near the city just named.

After which Wilson and Poteet proceeded to Baltimore, for the purpose of killing Mr. Owens, the principal keeper of the penitentiary, and Mr. Disney, one of the deputy-keepers: Porter refusing to take any part in the affair. On Friday night, the 22d of Jan. 1830, they, in company with a man named Riddle, also recently a prisoner, knowing that Mr. Owens was accustomed to attend his meeting on that evening of the week, reconnoitred the church, but not finding Mr. Owens (who remained at home that evening,) they proceeded to the penitentiary, and concealing themselves, waited for their prey. At about 9 at night, they discovered Mr. Disney returning from his own house, which was near, accompanied by two females, the matron, and a young lady related to her.

When they reached the gate, and were waiting admittance, Wilson and Poteet advanced close upon them: and each took aim at Mr. D. Poteet's pistol snapped, but Wilson's ball passed through the hat of the deputy keeper, about half an inch above his head, the women being close at his side! It appears by the testimony of the witnesses, that Wilson seemed to advance one step after he had leveled his pistol, which probably saved the life of Disney, for Wilson then stood on a piece of ground a little elevated above the common level of the street. On Sunday night following they planned a robbery of the great eastern mail, and went so far as to build a fence across the road, about 4 miles from Baltimore; but they thought the night was not dark enough for their purpose and abandoned it. The next morning, on the Washington road, with an intent to rob the passengers in the early stage: and the person [illegible] was to have stopped the horses having "flinched," Wilson and Poteet both instantly fired upon the driver, and dangerously wounded him; but he still kept his seat, and the horses, being frightened, ran away, and so defeated their project.—

Soon after these things, Porter arrived in Baltimore and joined them. The whole were arrested at nearly the same time. Porter has been executed: Wilson is confined for life. Poteet for twenty-five years and Riddle for ten: the whole extent of the punishment that could be given to the two latter for their offences in Maryland, in all which Wilson was an actor.

These facts are derived from the confessions of the parties, and the various testimony that appeared on the trials.

Porter seems to have been the leader in the robbery of the mails near Philadelphia, and it was for that offence for which he and Wilson were found guilty and punished. Porter is dead, and we hope at rest; and our best wishes are that Wilson may reform the thoughts of his heart, as earnestly exhorted by Porter, on taking a last leave of him.