Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-28
The Last Chapier-End of n Late
Thrilling Romance of the Road.

From the Memphis Ledger. November lO.l
- The particulars of the daring adven-
lures of modern Dick Turpin, in the
vicinity of Hickory Wythe depot, have,
from time to time, reached the public
through our columns His exploits and
insensibility to danger recallte mind the
period when every road was lined with
footpads.and "stand and deliver" became
a familiar sound to travellers. A few
days ago we mentioned that Mr.. Green
leaf, whom the robber compelled to strip
in the woods, had, with friends, met him.;
that shots were exchanged, and the
highwaymen, after expending the con-
tents of his repeater, coolly turned off
into the woods and escaped.
But another, the last and bloodiest
chapter of the eventful drama, is now
to be recorded. On Sunday man came
to the first station this side of the Wythe
depot, and complained to some GENTLE
men present that he had been robbed in
the woods. Among those who listened
to his story was Mr.. Alfred Battle, who,
it will be remembered, was shot at from
the roadside a'day or two following Mr..
Greenleafs adventure. It seems that
Mr.. B., whom the robber was rapidly
approaching when frightened away by
the sudden appearance of the horsemen
who came up, noticed that couple of
the unweleome visitors fingers were
missing. While the man was telling his
story on Sunday, he observed a similar
defect in that member. A closer glance
caused him to recognize the features,
and in moment the alleged victim of a
robbery was in the grasp of two strong
men. Mr.. Battle had not mistaken his
mani The prisoner confessed that he
had not only shot at him, but had forced
Greenleaf to strip, and sent the threat
ening letter. He added that he did
not desire to kill Mr.. g.; merely de-
sired to frighten little money out of
him. ' .saa'1 -p
If his actions could longer have sur
prised any one, the witnesses of the un-
expected denouement would doubtless
have been startled at this, the most reck-
less of his exploits. But it seemed only
a matter of course. He had been hunt
ed in the thickets and swamps by armed
men and bloodhounds. and eluded them.
Believing he. could appear among the
people, and by telling a pitiful tale be
regarded as but another of the victims
of the robber whose exploits had spread
terror and amazement throughout the
community. he adopted that me thod of
further battling pursuit. He did not
reckon upon the absence of finger or
two betraying him. 1t simply happened
that Mr.. Battles eyes were sharp, and
fulfilled their Office even when bullets
We're whistling about their owners head,
and the robber ruse failed.
Somehow, the captured robber sud-
denly disappeared from the station,
whittier no one. seemed to know. A few
curious ones started in search. Late in
the afternoon the form of man was seen
dangling from a tree in swamp; it was
lifeless, and two of the fingers of the left
hand were missing. This told the story.
No further explanation was required :
Judge Lynch had been at work and the
highwayman whose daring exploits had
been narrated with bated breath at a
thousand fresides. was rigid corpse
A swift witness had risen against him,
and the executioner stalked behind until
the fatal moment arrived. Who sent the
desperate into the shadows2 Nobody
knows; nobody cares, now that he has
gone from them forever.