The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1818-12-23
CHARLESTON, s. c. Dec. ID.
HIGHWAY ROB Berry I!

CHARLESTON, s. c Dec. ID.
HIGHWAY ROB Berry
On Saturday last, two men Solomon
Cum6o and Daniel James were brought
before j. IL. Mitchell, esq justice ofpeace
for having committed robbery o.n the
Georgetown road, near this town. The
following arc the particulars, as they came
out on the examination
ltappears that four men, of the names
Of Daniel James, John Robinson, and
Jim -, seamen, and --- Bell, lowell
Ter, left this city ca ly on Friday evening,
in small boat, and landed opposite the
barracks, near Haddrell's Point, where
they secured their boat, and left her ;
crossing over, through the woods, TO the
Northern post road. Having reached it,
they disguised themselves, by blacking
their faces with gunpowder, and hanging
moss round their hats, which hung down
over their faces. Soon after they arrived
at the road, Solomon Cum6o, who had
been down to market, came up: they
stopped and robbed him of about 25 dol
lars. During the act, Cumbo's horse
took fright, and ran back to the Ferry.
leaving him with the robbers. They
took him with them into the bushes, and
II the evidence OF Daniel James is to be
relied upon, who was admitted as States
evidence, Cum6o Joined them in eating
and drinking tnro' the night, and propos-
ed to them that they should way-lay the
mail, which would pass that spot about z
O'Clock next morning, and rob it--stating
to them at the same time, that he left a
traveller at the Ferry House, who was TO
come on early in the morning, and who
had considerable sum of money with
him, OF which they might easily become
possessed.-He &C cordinglv BACKED his
face, as the others had done, and decora-
ted his head with moss. When the mail
came along in the morning, in sulkey,
driven by lad of Is or 16 years old,
they all went out into the road, and stop
ped the boy, making some enquiries of
him how soon the Stage from Charleston
might be expected along, pretending they
were desirous OF getting passage in it to
Georgetown They did not take hold of
the horse, although Cun16o advanced very
nearto his head: but one of the sailors
told the boy they would not trouble him.
and he might drive on. James, in his
deposition bsfore the magistrate, said it
was him who gave this order, as she con-
eetUed az 7poukd be a Pity to rob The mail,
thereby breaking the chain IF corre8hon-
dence throughout The Union"
Soon after the mail had passed on, the
expected traveller, mentioned above,
rode up they stopped i'm, and, accord
tn their rChI,a1 oc
dollars-when, getting alarmed, the four
first named retreated through the woods
to their boat, pushed off, and pulled to-
wards James Island Cumbo immediate
ly went down to the Ferry, and informed
that he had been robbed, as above stated
Carefully concealing, however, that he
had any agency in the second robbery
and tharthe robbers were then puIlin..
across the harbor for the opposite shore.
A ferry-boat was instantly manned, int
which three or four public spirited inha
bitants of the Village jumped, and push
ed off in pursuit but before they coulc
overtake them, they had landed on james
Island, and fled into the bushes. After
some time spent in the search, one OF
them, Daniel James, came out from hi,
hiding place, supposing they we're gone,
and as secured. The rest have not yet
been taken. James Immediately charged
Cumbo, who had also gone in the pursu.
ing boat, with being an accomplice, and.
with having recommended the robbery of
the mail and this was in part confirmed
by the deposition Of the Post.Bo who
described CumbO as being disguised like
the others, and of having eyinced some
disposition to stop his horse On his
part however, Cunr6o disclaimed all IN
tention to participate in the robbery, and
asserts that they had made a prisoner of
him, and compelled him to take the part.
he did IN the business. GGz.
-V%