The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-27
rue MYsTERIOUs HlGHWAYMAN.
A STRANGE STORY OF cIRcUMsTANTIAI
&-+--=- EVIDENCE.

The following strange narrative APP
peared in a volume called the 'Theory
of Presumptive Proof" published some
sixty years since, and now not often
met with:
A gentleman travelling to Hull was
stopped late in the evening, about sew
en- miles short of that town, by sin
gle highwayman, with a mask on, who
robbed him ofa purse containing TWEEN
ty gnineas. The highwayman rode off
by different road, full speed, and the
gentleman pursued his journey. 1t,
however, growing late, and he being
already much frightened and agItated
at what had passed, rode only two
miles further, and stopped at the Bell,
rode-side inn, kept by James Bru-
nell. He went into the kitchen to give
directions for his supper, when he re-
lated to several persons present his
having been robbed, to which he add
ed this peculiar circumstance that when
he travelled he always gave his gold a
particular mark that every guinea in
the purse he was robbed of was so
specially marked, and that probably
the robber, by that means, would be
detected. supper being ready, he re-
tired. He had not long finished his re-
past when Mr. Brunell came into the
parlor. After the usual inquiries OF
landlords of hoping the supper and ev-
erything was to his liking, etc, '.Sir,"
says he, 81 understand you have been
robbed not far hence this evening" ~
have, sir.n Sand that your money
was marked 2" "It wasn ga circum-
stance has arisen which leads me to
think that can point out the robber."
"Indeed" "Pray, sir, what time in
the evening was it 2" at was just set
ting in to be dark" sThe time con
firms suspicious" Mr.. Brunells then
informed the gentleman that he had a
waiter, one John Jennings, who had of
late been so very full of money he had
had many words with him about it.,
and had determined to part with him
on account of bis conduct being so
suspicious; that long before dark that
day he had sent him out to change a
guinea for him, and that he had only
come back since he, the gentleman,
was in the house, saying lie could get
no change; and that Jennings being in
liquor, he had sent him to bed, resolv-
ing to discharge him in the morning.
That at the time he returned him the
guinea, he, Mr.. Brunell, did not think
it was the same which nc had given
him to get silver for, having perceived
mark upon this which he was very
clear was not upon the other; but that,
nevertheless, he should have thought
no more of the matter, as jennings
had so frequent by gold of his own in
his pocket, had he not afterwards heard
for he was not present when the gem
tleman was in his kitchen relating it :
the particulars OF the robbery, and that
the guineas which the highwayman had
taken were all marked; that, however,
few minutes previously to his having
heard this, he had unluclily paid away
the guinea which Jennings returned
him to man who lived some distance
off and was gone; but the circumstance
struck him so very strongly that he
could not. as an honest man, refrain
from giving this information.
Mr.. Bfnnell was thanked for his at
tention and public spirit. There was
the strongest reason for suspecting
Jennings; and If, on searching him,
any of the marked guineas should be
found, as the gentleman coald swear to
them, there would then remain no
donbt. 1t was now agreed upon to. go
softly up to his room Jennings was
fast asleep; his pockets were searched,
and from one of them was drawn forth
purse containing exactly nineteen
gaineas. Suspicion now became de-
monstration, for tile gentleman de-
clared them to be identically those of
which he had been robbed. Assis-
lance was called, Jennings was awak-
ened, dragged out of bed, and charged
with the robbery. He denied it firmly,
but circumstances were too strong to
gain him belief. He was secured that
night, and tho next day carried before
neighboring Justice of the Peace
The gentleman and Mr.. Brupell de-
posed to the facts on. oatbs; and Jen-
nings, having no proofs, nothing but
mere assertions of innocence to oppose
them, which obtained no credit, was
committed to take his trial at the next
assizes. IT,
So strong were the circumstances
known to be against him, that sever:ll
of his friends advised him to plead
guilty on his trial, and to throw him
self on the mercy of the Court. This
advice he rejected, and, when arraign-
ed, pleaded not guilty. The prosecu-
tor swore to his being robbed but that,
it being nearly dark, the highwayman
in mask, and himself greatly terri
fed, he could not swear to the prison
ers person, though he thought him of
much the same stature as the man who
robbed him. To the purse and guineas
which We're produced in Court, he
swore las to the purse positively, and
as to the, marked guineas, to the best
OF his belief, and that they were found
In the prisoners pocket.
The prisoners master, Mr.. BrunneN.
teposed to the fact, as to sending the
prisoner to change guinea, and of his
having brought him back q marked
one io the room of the one he had Civ
en- him unmarked. He also gave evil
denee as to the finding of the purse,
and the nineteen marked guineas in
the prisoners pocket. And what con-
summated the proof, the man to whom
Mr. Brunnell paid the guinea produced
the same, and gave testimony to his
having taken it that night in payment
from the prisoners master. Mr.. Brun-
neil gave evidence to his having re-
ceiVed OF the prisoner that guinea.
which ne afterwards Maid tn this last