The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-08-06
FAT BUT PLUcKY.
lie Grabbed the Robber, But Had to Lei
Go at Last.

He Grabbed the Robber, but M" W 49,
Go at Last.
In 1873 Milo Hoadley was passen-
ger on the Milton stage when It was
held up by a lone Italian highway
man. There were four or five pas
sengers besides Hoadley. all young
strong men. who would not IKE 10
see their names in print in connection
with this incident
The Italian. a tall athletic fellow.
stepped out from behind rock at the
foot of a steep hill and leveling MS
shotgun at the driver ordered nm 10
stop and throw out the box. Inc
driver obeyed and handed the box.
which contained several thousand TO
the robber. who took 1t in his leu
hand and remarked that was all ne
wanted.
Hoadley looked at the robber and
said:
Don't you think you We got lots OF
cheek to hold up q stage with ave
men in it?"
Il strikes me- " replied the robber
that you have got n d-n sight more
cheek to make any impromptu re-
marks on the sub. ect when nobody
has bothered you Have you got any
money about your"
Yes l have" said Hoadley. i've
got 800; but what Of itP"
Nothing particular except want
it and will blow your head of If you
don't hand it out lively" And so
saying the robber sighted along his
gun barrel at Mr.. Hoadley head. He
looked as II he meant business. and
Hoadley leisurely fished out his purse
and held it out to the robber Hoad-
ley sat on the front seat between the
driver and another man. and in hand
ing the purse to the robber he had to
lean forward and across the other
passenger. while the robber had to
lower his gun. step close TO the stage
and reach up for the purse with his
left hand
just as the robber grasped the
purse Hoadley pitched himself for
ward and hurled himself upon the
fellow. landing astride of him and
bearing him to the ground with a
crash. Hoadley weighed over 200
pounds aud the Italian had hard
job to shake him off, but Hoadley was
much the older man and his wind did
not last long. The struggle on the
ground lasted for a minute or more.
and had the other passengers gone to
Hoadley's assistance they could have
overpowered and bound the robber
without any difficulty. But not a
man of them stirred hand or foot to
help the old gentleman. and in a few
moments the Italian got out from
under him and regained possession OF
his gun. which he had dropped when
Hoadley fell upon him.
you are the checklist old man l
ever saw" said the Italian. as Hoad-
ley. almost breathless and wholly dis
gusted. scrambled to his feet and
began brushing the dust from his
clothes
That's all right" painted the old
gentleman, ''but il any Of those id
towards on the stage had stood in.
we'd have had you tied up. and the
joke would have been on YOU"
Now. it would be fine ending of
this incident to relate how the road
agent admiring the spirit and courage
OF the old gentleman. returned TO him
his purse and punished the cowardice
OF the other passengers by compelling
them to give up all their money and
watches.
But highwaymen of that type went
out OF fashion long ago. and the cold
unromantic truth of the matter is that
the Italian kept Hoadley's 800. didn't
rob the Others and went away into
the brush with his gun and the ex-
press box.
The sheriff took his trail the same
day. and arrested him in wayside
saloon. but forgot to search him. and
when the robber was taken to Jail he
gave Hoadleys 500 to a lawyer to
defend him. The Italian was prose-
cuted. convicted and sent to prison as
Joe Doe. and he never was identified
otherwise. and the express box that
he stole never was found. relates
the San Francisco Examiner.