Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-05-07
HE LED A DUAL LIFE.
GEORGE NOTTINGHAM, THE "kNIGHT
OF THE DARK ROAD"

Genial Gentleman by Day and bold High
wayman by Night-A Gentle Lover and
q Hypnotist--How He Influenced Edgar
Jones.
George Nottingham who has been term
ed by the police the "highwayman of the
hills" has proved an interesting character
TO the officers In Alameda, Cal. He Is
one of the most innocent looking highway
men that a stranger could meet. With all
his innocent looks, however, the police be-
lieve that he is one Of the most daring op-
orators Some believe that he possesses
hypnotic powers
Nottingham has been standing trial on
q charge Of robbery, and he has been max
ing a sensational fight in his effort to beat
the case.
Nottingham is classed by the police ms
most remarkable fellow. He Is looked up
on as bold robber, thoroughly desper-
ate highwayman, a gentle lover and hyp-
notist.
Edgar Jones, lad Of IS years, told on
the witness stand how he had been taught
to become highway robber by Noting
ham. The latter was a resident OF Walnut
Greek. He had established social relations
In the town and became engaged to marry
Miss Hattie Scott, the daughter Of well to
do farmer.
Young Jones says that Nottingham
played the dual role to perfection. In the
daytime he was the genial and enterpris-
ing George Nottingham. He was pleas
ant fellow to meet socially and was re-
spected by many because he was to marry
Farmer Scott's daughter. But what a
difference there was when night came on
George Nottingham was lost to his friends
of the daytime, and, according to the story
of young Jones, he became the highway :.
man of the hills" The men with whom
he would shake hands socially in the day
time he would stand up at night at the
point of pistol
Money was what he wanted and he
generally got all his victim had. His work
was so cleverly accomplished that the
friends never suspected that the innocent
looking, good natured George Noting
ham had been transformed into a bold rob-
ber
There was one, however, who was said
to be cognizant of the secret, and that was
Hattie Scott. According to the confession
of young Jones, she heard her lover plan |
the robbery of Van Meter, the station
agent at Walnut Creek, and even went SO |
far as to glory in the bravery Of her |
knight of the dark road" Jones was |
implicated In that robbery, and 1t Is for |
this offense that he and Nottingham were |
arrested.
The young man, who has turned states
evidence, tells a most peculiar story of
how he came under the mystic influence
of his supposed friend.
II have got to have some money!" said |
Nottingham to Jones in a most earnest
manner.
II don't know how you are going to
get it." answered Jones.
"Let us go down and rob the station"
said Nottingham.
'No, sir, never" declared Jones.
by heavens, then I'll make you. Go
home and bring your disguises, demand
ed Jones.
II left with a most peculiar feeling"
observed Jones "Iis words left great
impression on my mind, and / could not |
get away from my thoughts. seemed to
be drawn to him, and by some unknown |
influence i seemed to obey his command,
and sure enough became q highway rob-
ber under the instruction of my friend
But it was only for once.''
Nottingham turned up in Oakland and |
married Hattie Scott She had been q
bride just day when Chief of Police
Schaffer dropped the mantle from her hus-
band and showed him forth as the "high-
wayman of the hills" Notwithstanding
the exposure the farmers daughter re-
mained steadfast to her knight of the
dark road, F" and even now she Is doing
everything in her power to try to save
him from the penitentiary.-San Francis
co Chronicle.