Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-07-28
THE AUSTIN BANDIT.
Details of His Bold Exploits In the State
Capital-A Medcrn Dick Turpin.

Capital-A Modern Dick Turpin.
Anstin Statesman
The prototype of Jesse James is in
the city and no mistake, for "A bolder
highwayman never rode a steed or
drew siX-shooter than the hero of
last nights exploits. He seems to
have n fondness for Pecan street, and
three times last night did the villain
select victims from that thOroughfare.
He first met Dr. Smoot, OF the South
ern Presbyterian church, just beyond
the stone bridge on Pecan. He was
riding the same bay stecd he rode Sun
day morning when he robbed Henkle,
the barber. AS he approached the
doctor he inquired if the doctor could
tell him where Plum street was.
The doctor told him he did not
know and gave the direction
where to find out. While the doctor
was giving this information the rob
Der produced Il SIN shooter and de-
manded the doctors money. Forum
ately he only had five dollars with
him. Then he asked to see his watch.
Doctor told him it was engraved. He
took 1t and looked at it, and finding
the doctor had told the truth, gave it
back to him, and the doctor drove on.
next he met Dr. Swearlngen on Pecan
and inquired from MIN the way to
town. He told him the direction, and
while he was pointing it out he COW
cred DR.. 5. with his siX-shooter and
demanded his money. The doctor
had S25, and this lie contributed TO
enrich tho highwayman's Golfers.
Then he called for DR.. Swearingens
watch, which, unfortunately; was
81 nI t.,nI,s ,1,l ~
showed il into his pocket. The watch
worth III least Sl2j. After taking the
watch he permitted DIR. Swearingen
! to drive OF.
| The next man he met was Captain
| Joselyu. He made u similar demand
of the captain, anG received similar
reply. Then he went through him
and took what little wealth he had,
and permitted him TO move on. His
next victim was DR.. SGoddard, whom
| he met on Pecan street n few moments
afterwards, and OF him he made the
same kind OF inquiry, and when DR..
Stoddard was replying, drew the
nickel plated revolver and demanded
his money. Instead OF giving his
money, the doctor spoke TO his fiery
team iiercely and they jSmped like a
flash. So rapidly did they start that
tuey completely astonished the knight
of the road who, however, snapped
his pistol, but by a lucky mischsnce
missed fire, and the flying team took
the doctor beyond the robbers reach.
The bold bandit concluded &c
change his field of operations and
struck out across the city and came
riding down Congress avenue above
the temporary capitol. Here he met
man driving magnificent team.
1t was the equipage of Col. Hancock
driven by his negro n. Holman. He
asked the negro If he knew where u
certain person, naming him, lived
The negro told him he did not. While
he was telling him this the rnbbei
covered him with the same nickel
plated six shooter and demanded his
money. Holman told him he did rot
have cent. He replied it was Q
ID lie and If he did not turn il
over he would bore hole through
him. The negro told him he did not
have cent. At that juncture the
highwayman caught sight of a watch
chain and demanded the watch
The negro explained that he
did not have any watch and only
wore the chain for style. The robbel
threatened to shoot again and tho
, negro drew out the chain To convinc'
/ him that what he said was true. Th'
T negro now began to yell for help aDC
as he did this the bandit told him u
stop or he would shoot, but the negr'
did not stop, and gentlemen in the vi
, cinity hearing his cries came runnin,
to the spot. When the bandit saw
them approach he turned his stee'
about and galloped off towards Pecal
s street again and The negro came dow
: the avenue to hunt policemen. In az
e pearance the highwayman Is q short
e thick-set fellow, with IA smooth face
S DIR, s-ed like cowboy, and rides a
: fine hay horse as the wrItcreversaw
e Never in the history of this portion
1 of the state has SO bold n bandit nj
e peared as this foptpad has show
: himself to be. Right in the heait 9
a the capital, with police force note
a for their skill and vigilance, OF aimos
X national reputation ia this respect, II
!. has robbed no fewer than livs men i'as
y night, as they Sat in their carriage
: driving along the most frequeuteu pul
t lie streets, and yet evaded the nste,
. ton OF the entire police force. VIM
J. the police were watching for MN o.
Is the by-streets he took Congress avenu
j. and by his very andacity escaped incl
vigilance.