Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-09-21


no modern writer of fiction would venture
TO place an imaginary hero in SO many
situations of peril, and expect to extricate
him by what would seem so many invent
ed, unnatural chances. He had a Won
derful faculty for Disgusting himself, and
could so change his appearance in few
minutes, that his most intimate acquaint-
ance might pass him without recognition.
Now as a priest, zealously expoundng
the doctrines of the church-anon as
beggar, beseeching charity; now as
Quaker, proclaiming his non-resistant no.
tions Of peace--anon as soldier, fighting
over the battles of his country; now as a
peddler, trying to dispose of his petty /
wares--anon as a huntsman, deeply inter-
ested in the subjects of game and poach-
ers now as a gentleman, travelling to
effect wonderful cures he was continual |
ly rowing over the United Kingdoms, rob-
bing men on the highway, stealing horses,
and changing localities with a rapidity
that defied all attempts at detection and
arrest. He made his assumed name of
Thunder bolt word of terror throughout
Great Britain, and though small bills and
posters We're out in every quar'er, describ-
ing his person and offering large rewards
for his apprehension, yet, by reason of his
rapid change of places and complete dis
gnises, he was often enabled to lodge safe
ly at an inn where the principal topic of
public discussion was his own wonderful
exploits and hair-breadth escapes, in which
deeply interesting conversation to him, he
sometimes joined, in very learned and
edifying manner. He had fearful repu-
tation for years before he became connect
ed with his subsequent partner in crime,
Captain Lightfoot-so much so, even, that
when he confidentially announced his
name to the latter, who had himself been
thieving villain all his life, the fellow
actually turned pale and trembled, and
would have fed had he not been com
pletely in the power of his strange COM
panion.
John Martin, alias Michael Martin
alias John Hendley, alias Captain Light
foot, was born near the city of Kilkenny
Ireland, in 1895. Of his early life it il
only necessary to say he was a good-for
nothing, thieving rascal, and finally hat
to leave home on account of his vicious
habits and propensities-his own family
and all his relations, who seem TO have
been quite respectable people, being gad
to get rid of so worthless a fellow When
about twenty years Of age, and while
roaming about the country regular vag.
abond, he stopped at an inn, where he
first fell in with John Doherty, alias Cap
tain Thunderbolt, who, it appears, not
only knew him by sight, but all about his
character. The willy highwayman, who
wanted companion in crime, at once
settled in his own mind that the strong
u robust, unprincipled. Martin was the mar
: for his purp Sc. The redoubtable robbie
was at this time passing himself off as |
Protestant clergyman; and his elegan
attire, his tall, commanding person, hi
strongly-marked, expressive features, AM
his peculiar style of conversation, wer
sufficient to impose this deception upo
all the inmates of the inn, including Mar
tin himself To the latter Thunderbol
ally wormed himself into his confidence
: piled him with liquor, and then mystifie
him by talking religion and robberies al
q ternately. AT last, when he had thus in
4 siduously drawn all Of Martins secret
n from him, and felt that be had him com
J. pletely in his power, he made himse
O known, to the utter astonishment an
alarm of the man of lesser crimes. Blu
q Martin, in such congenial company, 500
!. recovered himself; and, lending willin
lfI ear, it did not take long for the highway
# man to persuade him to join his futur
n with his. As soon as he had gained b
I. consent to the compact, he dashed gla:
5 of brandy in his face and named him CAY
o tain Lightfoot.
a On the second night of their compal
d, ionship tumult was heard in the yard
ID the inn, and Thunderbolt, eyer on Il
St alert for danger, said it was probably Sc
d, diers in pursuit of himself. Then iellir
DC Lightfoot where TO meet him, ne opent
er the window, leaped out, and made h
I'd escape.
The first road exploit of Lightfoot w
Nv TO rob, in broad daylight, party of &c
a tlemen on their way to join hunt. III
,is he did under the direction of his superic
d. who remained in the ground-read
To however, TO come TO his assistance,
Id needed. He commanded the four men
he dismount and submit to a search, whi
i'm they did. He took what money and ;
ticles of value he found on their perso
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