On this date in 1875, William “Boss” Tweed, former head of the Democratic machine in New York City, escaped from jail and fled to Cuba. Tweed was facing hard time for his role in fleecing New York taxpayers of millions of dollars (some estimates run as high as $200 million). Almost captured in Cuba, Tweed moved on to Spain. He was arrested there in 1876 by a police officer who reportedly recognized him from a political cartoon by Thomas Nast. He was returned to the United States by Spanish authorities. He died of pneumonia in the Ludlow Street Jail in 1878.
Further reading:
Nobody Move! 
Reblogged this on Brittius.com.
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Thanks.
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You’re welcome.
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John D.:
Yeah, the Tammany Hall gig wasn’t the proudest moment in NYC history…or American history in general.
Tweed got what he deserved…just mot SOON enough.
A very good historical account about a shameful time in our country.
Damn shame they don’t punish today’s corrupt officials anywhere close to how they used to do it.
(they usually promote them)
😉
Roll safe out there.
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Sadly, the crooks seem to have just gotten smarter, so I guess they’re harder to catch. Or maybe it’s just that the corruption is even more widespread these days.
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