Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-11-19
THE LAST CHAPTER.
End of a. Late thrilling RO-
nance of the Road.
The Hickory Wyile High
wayman Captured and
Hanged.

The particulars OF the daring adven-
lures ef a 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 recall to 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..
Greenleaf, whom the robber compelled
to strip in the woods, had, with friends,
met him; that shots were exchanged, the
highwayman, after expanding the con-
tents of his repeater, coolly turning off
into the woods and escaping.
But another, the last and bloodiest
chapter in the eventful drama, is now to
be recorded. On Sunday man came
to the first station this side of 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. II seems that
Mr.. B., whom the robbcr was rapidly
approaching when frightened away by
the sudden appearance of the horse
men who came up, noticed that a
couple of the unwelcome visitor fingers
were missing. While the man was telling
his story on Sunday, he observed SINH
lar defect in that member A closer
glance caused him to recognize the fea-
lures, aud in moment the alleged VIC
tim of a robbery was in the grasp of two
strong men. Mr.. Battle had not mistaken
his man. The prisoner confessed that
he had not only shot at him, but had
forced Greenleaf to strip, and sent the
threatening letter. He added that he
did not desire to kill Mr.. G.; merely de.
sired to frighten little money out of
him. s3nau 3 %.
If his actions could longer have sur
prised any one, the. witnesses of the
unexpected denOuement would doubtless
have been startled at this, the most reck-
less of his exploits. But it seemed only
matter of course. He had been hunted
in the thickets and swamps by armed
men and bloodhounds, and eluded them.
Believing he could appear among the
people, and by telling pitiful tale be re-
garded as but another of the victims
of the robber whose exploits had spread
terror and amazement throughout the
community, he adopted that method 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
were whistling about their owners head,
and the robber's 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 q tree in a swamp
1t 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 dar-
ing exploits had been narrated with
bated breath at thousand iresides, was
a rigid corse. A swift witness had risen
against him, and the executioner stalked
behind until the fatal moment arrived.
Who sent the desperate into the
Shadows Nobody knows nobody
cares, now that he has gone from them
forever.