The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-09
A GENTLEMANLY ROBBER.
lExch angel

A GENTLEMANLY ROBBER.
 [Exchange.l
 Another name has Leen added to the long catalogue of distinguished highway men which includes Claude Duval, Dick Turpin and Jack Sheppard. In many re- spects he was the most remarka ole robber the world has ever produced. His name was Henry c Glrrett. He was native of England, but, like several other citizens of that country, he was granted leave to reside in Australia for the term of ten years. This was in I842. The cause of his going abroad to reside was the loss of watch and well-filled pocket-book by a gentleman who was travelling in private conveyance. So far as can be as- certained-for paratively little is known of his early life-he was not in- cited to engage in adventure and crime by reading dime novels. Indeed, this class of books, which are presumed to be so pernicious in their influence, had not been placed on the market when Mir. Garrett was small boy, which was near ly eighty years ago. He was a great student and most diligent reader, though he had no inclination to peruse trashy books. He was an excellent linguist, good naturalist, an expert engineer and a very fair lawyer. He was fond of science, especially of comparative anat- omy. His favorite authors were Hum- boldt, Darwin, Tyndall, Huxley, Spencer and Mill. His knowledge of history was remarkable, and while in prison, as he was several times, he spent most of his time in writing biographies, which sold for more money than the author could make by engaging in any kind of labor. He was great favorite with the warden, surgeon and chaplain of every prison in which he was confined. His knowledge of men was excellent, and he was oten consulted about the management of con- victs. He was most entertaining com panion, and on that account his society was sought by prison officials.
 MT. Garrett operated on a small scale in Australia as soon as his term of penal servitude had expired. He was very de- sirous of returning to England, and sought to obtain means to do so. He had some trouble in doing this. He had but small capital, and did not wish to organize a "gang," as is often done in this country, and was even averse to having a part ner. Learning that there was bank in . small country town, he concluded that he would draw sum from it sufficient to carry him to his native land and to sup port him there for some time. Approach ing the building he posted notice on the door that the bank was closed. He en tered, closed the door, and, pointing a pistol at the head of the cashier, de. manded that he hand over the contents of the safe. Receiving about S3o 900, mostly in bank. notes, he locked the door and departed. With this sum he lett for London. He was followed by detective, who resorted to trick for the purpose of catching him. He shadowed a person some days whom he thought was the robber he was looking for, but of whose identity he was not certain. Early one evening, while walking in the street where there were many persons, he gave loud "coo. ce," cry made by Australians when they are in distress. The unsus. pecting Australian, thinking one of his tellow.colonists was in trouble, rushed to his assistance, and fell into the hands of the detective. He was taken back to Australia, tried, convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment At the ex- piration of this time he concluded that he would go to New Zealand, where for tunes then were rapidly made.
 MT. Garrett's first great enterprise in New Zealand was that of sucking up" some seventeen miners, who, singly or in pairs, were going to town to put their gold in safe place. Stepping out from behind tree, he bade them throw up their hands and preserve silence. Tying them to trees with cord he carried with him, he relieved them of their valuables and then passed on to meet others of the party, whom he used in the same way. Think. ing that they might remain in that con- dition some time before any one came along to release them, he treated them to drinks, filled their pipes, lighted them and went on his way. For this act he was again imprisoned and did not regain his liberty until three years ago. A few weeks after his release he was arrested in 1 wholesale store where he was found with about fifty skeleton keys in his pos session. He was again tried, convicted and sent to prison. In this place of con- 4nement he died
 Local papers give some strange ac- counts of his life and career. They de eiGe that he always kept his word, that nc aever had confederate, that he never sAet . drop of human blood, was never gully of cruelty, and he never robbed or 1nluEd . woman. He was SO kind, po- nte md oblising, and withal, 90 highly intelligent, that persons meeting him in prison forgot that he was a criminal
 1is aplearapce was so good, his manner = re6ned, and his conversation so en- $Aging, Cat no one ever suspected that As vas iesding life of crime. While 0aveling k passed for . gentleman and