The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-15


The OAKLEY HIGHWAY ROBBERY
FULLER PARTICULARs.-Henry Dickinson
and James Breeden, the young men accused
of the robbery of Thomas G.. Oakley an
aged citizen of Cumberland, had full
hearing before Justices Wade and Larus on
Saturday.
Mr.. Oakley's testimony shows this to
have been most outrageous case of high
way robbery, and it becomes more inte-
resting when we consider that the accused,
though dissipated, have never before been
suspected of such villainy, and one is very
respectfully connected in Richmond.
From Mr.. Oakley testimony, which was
given in rather disconnected but evil
dently truthful manner, it appears that he
came to town on Thursday evening and
struggled into n bar-room, where he met
Breeden and Dickinson. Getting into con-
versation with them, the old gentleman hap
pened to mention that he had some busi-
ness with William N. Bell & Co. Breeder
said he knew the. firm, and was intimate
with Mr.. Wynne, one of their statesmen.
Oakley then said that he was going to put
up for the night at the house of one Jackson,
on the Dock. His new acquaintances vol
unteered to show him the way, and 30 (after
taking drink at his expense) they set out
but instead of going in the right direction,
went up Broad street past the Theatre, and
presently entered another drinking house.
Something was said about another "horn,' -
but the conntryman told Dickinson that it
was his time to treat, but finally stood the
expense, as before. Thus they went from
bnr-room to bar-room until the old man, be-
wildered, did not know where he was, but
stoutly insisted that he wanted to be taken
to the Jackson House. Going in house
on Second and Main a~game of cards was
proposed, and although he didn't know
anything about the game Oakley was per-
suaded to play little for fun also tried
billiards. o little, of which he was still more
ignorant. This wound up by his having to
pay for another treat. He was then taken
out of town about two miles by Breeden,
Dickinson, and one Wilson, who is still at
large. Wilson said ne had o grocery near by,
and had some of the best whiskey in town
there. Leaving Oakley with his comrades
he went away, and presently returned with
a phial containing some liquid, of which
he and they pretended to drink, addressing
each other as Major, Colonel, etc. Oakley
declined to drink, but as they insisted he
merely tasted the drug, and of course it made
him deathly sick. They went little further
and then, Dickinson standing on his right
and Breeden on his left, Wilson stopped
suddenly, drew q pistol and exclaimed
"Now, old man, this thing has gone fal
enough. If you speak above you natural
breath I'll kill you" Of course he stood
still and was robbed Of all he had-spec'
tacles, comb. two or three dollars, draf,
for $40 and another for $40. He told
them they could take it al if they would
spare his life but it is not presumptuous
to suppose that if they had not thought him
too drunk to recognize them again his life
would have been taken.
The rest Of the story was told in our is
sue of Saturday. Wilson cannot be found
but his alleged accomplices we're sent to ths
county court for indictment.
The magistrates before whom they were
examined refused to allow them bail.