| Notes |
- In the 1920 Census Marcus G. Bassett is listed in Sing Sing Prison, Ossinning, Westchester County, New York.
The New York Times
Saturday, August 11, 1951
Jewel Thief Dies Alone and Broke
Bassett, One-Time Associate of Willie Sutton, Spent 28 of Last 32 Years in Jail
The cliche that crime does not pay received further verification yesterday morning with the discovery in a Brooklyn furnished room of the body of Marcus G. Bassett, a paroled convict who had spent twenty-eight of his last thirty-two years in prison.
Bassett, a former associate of Willie (the Actor) Sutton, a notorious bank robber now wanted for leading a gang that robbed the Sunnyside (Queens) branch of the Manufacturers Trust Company of $63,933, was not being sought by the police.
So far as the police knew yesterday, Bassett had been leading an honest life since his release from Attica Prison in January, 1950, after seving eighteen years of a thirty-year sentence for a Manhattan robbery in which Sutton was partner. That was a $130,000 jewel hold-up at 1637 Broadway in 1930 that involved the trussing up of four employees after Sutton had gained entrance to the store disguised as a messenger.
Escaped from Sing Sing
Bassett first did time, for stealing an automobile, in 1916. His most spectacular claim to "fame" was made in 1920, when he and George Stivers, who was doing long term for killing a policeman, felled three guards and escaped from Sing Sing Prison. They stole a car and were pursued until captured six days later in New Hampshire. Their terms were lengthened. Bassett had only a few months left to serve for robbery when he broke out.
Nevertheless, he had the reputation, among the police, for having been an educated man and a good conversationalist, suave and sure of himself. In fact, it had been said of Bassett that he was an amateur sociologist.
Bassett's body was found by Miss Blanche Rico, his landlady's daughter, at 9:45 a.m. and the police attributed death to natural causes; probably a heart attack. An ambulance surgeon concurred.
There was a typewriter in his room at 110 South Elliott Place, Brooklyn, lending slim credence to the rumor that Bassett had been a short story writer. There was also a watch, a canceled bankbook showing he had once had a few hundred dollars and $2.81 in cash.
1900 Federal Census of Hyde Park, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (8 Jun 1900)
Rodger M. Bassett - 52 - Apr 1848 - M - CT-CT-CT - Head - Credit Man
Frances - 47 - Mar 1853 - F - NC-NC-NC - Wife
Louis G. - 28 - Jul 1871 - M - NY-CT-NC - Son - Western Electric
Mathie C. - 28 - Jan 1872 - F - CA-KY-MD - Daughter-in-law
Marcus G. - 1 - May 1899 - M - IL-NY-CA - Grandson
Ida Eugena - 21 - Aug 1878 - F - NY-CT-NC - Daughter
Marie Louise - 18 - Jul 1881 - F - NY-CT-NC - Daughter - Security Editor Event Magazine
(Married 30 years, 5 children, 5 living)
(Married 2 years, 2 children, 1 living)
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Bassett Family Association Database
1899 - 1951 (~ 52 years)