North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-16
The Marked Guineas.

Presumptive Proof" published some sixty
years since, and now not cften met with
A gentleman. travelling to Hull, was
stopped late in the evening, about seven
miles short of that town, by a single
highwayman, with mask on, who robbed
him of purse containing twenty, suin.
eas. The highwayman rode off by diff
ferent road full speed, and the gentleman
pursued his journey. 1t, however. grow
ing late, and he being already much
! frightened and agitated at what had pass
ed, rode only two miles further, and stop>
| ped ut the Bell, roadside inn. kept by
James Brunell. He went into the kitch>
en- to give directions for his supper, when
he related to several persons present his
having been robbed, to which he added
this peculiar circumstance, that when he
travelled he always gave his gold par
ticular 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 retired. He had not long
finished his repast when Mr.. Bruunell
came into the parlor. After the usual in
quiries Of landlords, of hoping the sup
per and everything was to his liking,
etc:
"Sir," says he, II understand that you
have been robbed not far hence this even
ing
"And that your money was marked"
sit was"
IA circumstance has arisen which
leads me to think that | can point out the
robber.'
''Indeed |"
"Pray, sir, what time in the evening
was it?''
"It was just setting in to be dark
'The time confirms suspicious"
Mr.. Brunnell then Informed the gentle-
man that he had waiter, one John Jen-
nings, who had of late been so very full
of money, he had had many words with
him about it, and he determined to part
with him on account of his conduct neing
so suspicious. that long before dark that
day he had sent him out to change
guinea for him, and that he had only
come back since he, the gentleman, was
in the house, saying that he could get no
change and that, Jennings being in
liquor, he had sent him to bed, resolving
to discharge him in the morning. That
at the time be returned him the guinea.
he (Mr. Bruneli) did not think it the
same which he had given him to get sill
yer for, having perceived a mark upon
this which was very clear was not upon
the other; but that, neverthe less, he
should haye thought no more of the mat
ter, as Jennings had so frequently gold of
has own in his pocket, had he not after
ward heard-lor he was not present when
the gentleman was in his kitchen relating
1.-THE particulars of the robbery. and
that the guineas which the highwayman
had taken were all marked that, howev>
er, a few minutes previously to his hay.
ing heard this, he had unuckily paid
away the guinea which Jennings return
ed him to a 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 Civ
ing this information. ...-
Mr. Brunell was thanked for his atten-
ton 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 would swear to them, there
would then remain no doubt. 1t was
agreed to go softly up to his room; Jen-
nngs was fast asleep; his pockets were
searched, and from one of them was
drawn forth purse containing exactly
nineteen gulneas. Suspicion now became
demonstration, for the gentleman declared
them to be identically those of which he
had been robbed. Assistance was called.
Jennings was awakened, dragged out of
bed, and charged with the robbery. He
denied it firmly, but circumstances were
toe strong to gain belief. He was secur-
ell that night, and the next day carried
before the neighboring justice of the
peace. This gentleman and Mr.. Brunell
deposed to the facts on oath; and Jen-
nings having no proofs, nothing but mere
assertions Of innocence to oppose them,
which obtained 20 credit, was committed
to take his trial at the next assizes.
So strong were the circumstances
known to be against him, that several of
his friends advised him to plead guilty
on his trial, and throw himself on the
mercy of the court. This advice he re-
jected, and when arraigned plead not
guilty. The prosecutor swore to his be-
ing robbed but that, it being nearly
dark, the highwayman in a mask, and
himself greatly terrified, he could not
swear to the prisoner $ person, though he
thought him of much the same stature as
| the man who robbed him. TO the purse
and guineas which were produced in
court, he swore--as to the purse positiv>
ely, and as to the marked guineas, to the
best of his belief, aud that they were
found in the prisoners pocket.
The prisoners master, Mr.. Brunell, de-
posed the fact, as to sending the prison.
er to change guinea, and of his having
brought him back marked one in the