The morning call., 1892-05-01

been 1Ve times wounded.
Detec'iye Hume is of the opinion that the
work is that of NJ. A. Sharp highwayman,
with record second only to that OF Black
Bart.
In September, 1880, Sharp, in company
with man named Jones, alias Dow. at
tempted to rob the stage running from
Bodie TO Carson. Mike Tovey was in
charge of the box, and without q very long
argument fired, killing Jones. Sharp then
shot at Tovey, seriously woundlng him In
the right arm.
While the brave messenger went to
neighboring farmhouse for the purpose or
having his arm dressed Sharp took the box
from the stage. broke it open AID secured
about 500 in cash. Jones had been c0m-
panion of Sharp for many years, and tue lat
ter deeply m0urned the loss Of his friend.
They were sehoolboys toge ther in Mis-
souri,, came west together, and together
committed seven very successful stage rob
berries In California and Nevada. In the
affair above mentioned, where Tovey
was wounded. the stage-drivef. who handed
over to Sharp the box during the absence of
the wounded messenger, relates that the
outlaw stopped and tenderly kissed his
fallen accOmpice as he lay dead IN the road
from a shot from TUvey'S rife. At any rate
Story seems to have taken the matter very
much to heart and on dozen occasions he
from the Nevada State Prison, where he
was given a 20 years sentence in 1880, he
made bold to write letter to
He notified them of his escape and ad-
vised them to retire Tovey from active
service, or experience the great disadvantage
of having him killed.
On another occasion ne wrote to TOyoy,
warning him to leave California, or take
the same medicine dealt out to poor Jones"
M. A. Sharp is a native Of Esmeralda
County. Missouri, and is about 80 years OF
age. he is about feet s inches In height
has a dark complexion. dark brown hair and
eyes and weighs about 161 pounds.
He has q deep scar on the back OF the
head, another on the right forearm, the
fist finger of his right hand Is gone at the
first joint and he was never known to
snake, chew, swear or gamble.
He made his debut on the stage running
from Forest Hill TO Auburn on May 10,
1880. Jones was his partner In manY
desperate deeds until killed In the BOdle-
Carson affiir.
From June Is, 1880, to August 10 of the
same year the stage from Carson to BOdis
was held up by the pair four times. and on
each occasion large amount. OF money
was secured. In September OF the same
year the two desperadoes held up the
Forest Hill stage again and this time got
bullion to the amount of SS000
Two days later they robbed the stage
from Carson City to Bodie, aud on Septem-
ber attempted TO repeat the operation with
the result stated above A week afterward
Der 80 convicted of the robbery and sem
fenced to 20 years In States prison.
While awaiting transfer to that Institution,
he was confined in the Jail at Aurora. where
he remained just three days. The officers
being, of course, familiar with his record
and desperate character, put him in double
irons, with additional preeaution of an
Oregon boot" Som m3how he got his hands
free, and one bright morning when there
was an election IN town he left his prison
home. Detective Hume says tnat he dragged
the Oregon boot for a distance OF II miles
and then opened 1t with a stone.
Officer Hume, who, by the ways
captured Sharp few days later and got
tull confession from him concerning
the escape, says Sharp is the only man in
America who has ever succeeded in OPEN
ing an Oregon boot" The feat was ac-
comDlished by Russian con gict, but never
before in the United States.
In November following the escape Hume
took Sharp back TO the Aurora Jail. where,
within week, ne came very near making
second escape. This alarmed the officers.
and he was at once removed 10 the State
prison. This was in 1880, and the sentence
was for 20 years.
Three years ago M once again eluded the
vigilance OF his keepers, and since that time
has been at large, his existence Delng known
of only through the frequent letters con-
cerning bis enemy Tovey up to month ago.
when he was seen and recognized by a Dsp-
uty Sheriff of Caaveras County. He has
undoubtedly been on the trail Of the man
who killed his friend for many months, and
yesterday attempted to carry out bis threats
of yengeance.
Detective Hume will leave this morning
for the scene Of the murder and attempted
robbery and hopes to be able to capture
Sharp, whom he considers the most DANGER
Gus man in California.