Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-01
A PISTOL LEVELED ArTaEDRfvER
A Carriage Stopped by Highwayman
on the State Road Last Evening---Most
Audacioua Attempt at Robbery.

A Carriage Stopped by Highwayman
on the State Road Last Evening---Most
Auiacious Attempt at Robbery.
The boldest and most audacious at
tempt at highway robbery that the
annals of Wilmington can record for
the past few years was perpetrated last
night week, within two miles of the city.
1t occurred on the State road little
before 6 o'clock at the point where
Colonel Andrews woods border the
road in the direction of Red Lion. A
lady was being driven home, she with
her coachman being the sole occupants
OF the carriage. 1t was quite foggy at
the time and the darkness no doubt was
increased at the point by the contiguity
of the woods.
The coachman noticed the figure Of a
man, as he thought, stumbling about in
the middle of the road. He was not
sure but that the man might be crossing
it in search of drier walking. However,
the coachlnan guided his horse so as to
allow the man plenty of room.
All in moment the man had sprung
upon one of the forewheels and with a
| pistol leveled within few inches of the
coachman's head exclaimed; "You hand
out your money!
The pistol was evidently intended also
to cover any occupant of the carriage
The carriage had come to a stop, and
the coachman, puzzled for moment
then quickly exclaimed he had no money
and in obedience to an unuttered sug'
gesiion emptied his pockets. There was
nothing for the bandit but some tobacco
and other articles. The young lady sale
she had no money. The highwaymar
seemed content with the latter assertion
The whole interview, while very eXcit
ing, was also very brief.
The darkness precludcd any possibil
ity Of observation Of the road agent. l
was noticed, however, that his fac,
seemed to be smeared with charcoal
Both the young lady and the coachmal
believe the bandit is white man. Ill
is of small stature and was dressed, a
we'll as could be remembered in ordinar.
workingman's clothes.
At the request of the family of whicl
the young lady is member, the latter
that the audacity of the attempt Of Wed
nesday at highway robbery, within tw
miles of Wilmington, is something tina
should be made public for the sake 0
the community.
From information lodged az polio
headquarters, it is evident that tn
above is not the only outrage COMMITTEE
by the highwayman. 1t was reporte
there that four people had been held u
within period of one hour. Officer
Aiken and Kellaher were detailed o.
the case that night, and drove as far a
the Lobdell farm, when their horse CAV
out, and they returned to this city with
out bagging any game.
The man first stopped boy jus
beyond Guthrie's carriage factory, O.
the causeway, and at the pistols poin
, made him turn his pockets inside on
and convinSe the robber that he had n
money on his person.
|. The highwayman then proceeded ou
the causeway, where he stopped ma
named Blair, who went through tn
same experience as the boy short tim
previous. Then came the daring even
} detailed above.
A fourth person, whose identity
: unknown, is said to have been stoppe
in u similar manner. .-