The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-11
A LONE HIGHWAYMAN.
His Clever Way Of Capturing Two
AccOnplices.

There had been an incipient reign of
terror in the town for nearly two
weeks because of the brazen and I'M
successful holdups that were made
each night by Dandy Jack, the ccle-
DRAFTED lone highwayman. Every vic
tim told the same story of a tall man
who wore black mask and used two
large pistols to induce his involuntary
clients to stand and deliver. After
placing his quarry safely III his power
he stuck one gun into his pants peck
ct to release one hand in order to pur-
loin money and valuables from the
person under treatment. The victims
were SO delighted to get off with a
whole skin that they regarded the loss
of their property with comparative in
difference.
Dismay most adequately describes
the average state of mind already cx-
listing in the town, but the situation
grew worse instead of better, for, en-
bsldened by Dandy Jacks af1luent ca
reer, which had been advertised by n
thousand free notices in the country
press and dispatches in detail to the city
papers, another party of profession
ais and skilled operators had entered
the field In one night no less than
three belatcd lncrry-malZers were held
up and robbed near the Same spot by
two bold, bad men with white masks
and two guns apiece. The police had
full proofs of their presence and that
they We're doing thriving business,
for the very next night the chief him
self, returning home late, was nabbcd
and mulctcd by the unknown knights.
The alarm became almost panic.
There was scarcely man, woman or
child in the town who did not expect
an order to hold up hands if caught out
of the house after dark. A sudden
reformation seemed to have taken
place among husbands who had been in
the habit of remaining away from
home long after business hours, and
most of their lodges could not muster
corporal's guard ut their weekly
meetings.
Mr.. Oliphant was cashier and large
stakeholder in the principal bank, and
had pretty home cmbowered in roses
in the suburb. He was Il most method
zeal man, of n sunny disposition and
possessing that easy sclf-confdcnce
which comes from life of success. He
found his relaxation in lodge work,
and was one of the few who were
always present on lodge nights despite
the difficulty of securing Il quorum
since the footpads came to town.
One evening, when the hold-up scare
was at its worst, Mr.. Oliphant and IL
few others were sitting at the window
OF their lodge room, famed by cool
breeze. and the conversation turned to
the subject that was uppcrmost in all
| minds, i. e., the daring highway rob-
berries which had been going on for
| over Il fortnight without an arrest be-
ing made. Mr.. Oliphant led the talk.
He did not seek to condonc the leth-
argy and incompetence of the police
but he freely expressed his opinion of
people who permitted themselves to be
held up and robb ed without opposition
by cutthroats with masks on.
II would ask nothing better" said
he, than to have the thugs who are
terrorizing this town try their little
game on Inc. I'll bet 500 that I'd
capture them and turn them over to
the police-provided they do not belong
here nor know who am"
All present liked Oliphant. but at
this declaration doubts were expressed
with rather marked symptoms Of a
sheer. The cashier insisted that he
meant exactly what he said; but no one
seemed ready to ''scc" his 500.
The hour for meeting passed without
quorum and Oliphant, with two or
three others. went into the billiard
room to play few games. A universal
desire to go home early was apparent,
so the party broke up soon after ten
o'clock. Johnson and Williams walked
with Oliphant to within a few blocks
of mis- house, when the three separated,
each going in n different direction
Just before parting for the night
Oliphant said quizzically:
''Well, boys, which of us will meet
the footpads between here and home?'
''Ifyou do, said Johnson, remember
we expect you to capture them and
turn them over to the police"
''If they rob me-" replied Oliphant il
an undcrtonc, III treat the whole
lodge to a champagne supper"