Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-05-28
penNsnvaNIas DICK rvRpIn.
Something About the Exploits Of = Man
Famous rs O Robber Years Ago.

Something About the Exploits OF = Man
Famous rs O Robbcr Years Ago.
The recent find of gold coin on Goat
hill, Just below Lambertyille, N. j., Is
supposed by old residents TO be plumber Sc
cured by Joseph Hare, the famous high
wayman. This reyives q curious local
story that goes back to 1889 and will be
remembered by many old citizens. A
merchant doing business on Chestnut
street below Eighth had 70 visit New York
and he was requested by friend to take
charge of large sum Of money in coin
and notes. The amount was said TO be
s1s, 900. This merchant was an English
man and his credit and integrity were un-
impeached, but after he took the New
York stage, which crossed the Delaware
above Lambertville, nothing was heard If
him for year, when he wrote to his
friend from England, stating that he had
been robbed of the money on the road to
New York and was ashamed to return to
Philadelphia.
1t was true the stage had been stopped
by highwayman, but 1t was not believed
that any such sum had been taken. Henry
Light, a very dangerous ruffan, an asso-
ciate of Hare the robber, was blamed, but
he proved to the satisfaction of Willis Bla-
ney, then high constable, that ho was in
the city at the time of the alleged robbery
and declared that no such sum was taken
or he would have known something of it.
The merchants affairs were found to be
SO arranged that his wife, shrewd busi-
ness woman, owned everything Of value.
Three years after the defaulter returned
here and with his family moved to farm
In Lancaster county, where he died.
Twenty years ago the writer was accosted
by a wretched looking tramp seeking re-
lief, and under questioning he turned out
to be the only son of this man and the
last of the family, all of whom had come
to poverty.
Joseph Hare generally operated south of
Pennsylvania, but for the latter part of
his career he spent much Of his time in the
neighborhood of this city. In 1888 man
named Stevenson kept a grocery store on
South street, above Tenth, then in the
country. He was returning home on foot
from visit to Darby when he was stopped
by two mon where Mayland's creek crossed
the road. One was tall, powerful man,
the other an Irishman, who was about to
strike the victim with club, when the
big man interfered and protected him.
This was Hare The plunder amounted
to a small silver watch and few dollars.
Stevenson remarked that the watch had
belonged to his father, and he would re-
deem it If given chance. Hare answered:
"Well, I'll give you o chance. Keep the
watch, and if I send an order for SO you
will aot square"
Stevenson said he would notspeak of the
affair at all, gave his address and walked
home. Three weeks atterward girl came
to the store with paper on which was
written an order for So, but no signature.
Stevenson, without O word, paid the
money and years afterward gave the rob-
ber's order to DR.. W. ]. Duffy, who had
cast of Hare's head taken after his execu-
ton.
Hare's last notable exploit In this state
was the robbery of George S. Scott above
Lancaster. Scott was drover, q very
powerful and fearless man and quite
fighter. He had been drinking in Lam
caster, and about O'Clock in the after
noon mounted his horse to ride to Harris
burg. He had 81, 300 in notes In his coat.
He was mile on his way, passing through
a bunch of naples, when, with bound,
big man sprang on him. His horse
reared, and in moment he was on the
ground, but he regained his feet, and the
two men fought. Although Weighing 230
pounds Hare was as nimble as cat and
famous wrestler. Scott was thrown on
his head on the turnpike and before he
could recover Hare had the money and
vas gone. John Hare was cutting wheat
near by. He heard the noise, and, with
his hands, gave chase, but the robber es-
capped, and next day his hiding place was
found in field of rye close by.
Four months after this Scott met Hare
in Baltimore jail, heavily ironed and un-
der sentence of death for stopping the
United States mail just outside the city
He laughed about their encounter and said
that he had lost the money in two nights
of card playing, but gave Scott an order
for sorrel horse, saddle and bride stabbed
In the town. Scott died in 1865 and was
fond of telling Of his adventure with the
Dick Turpin of Pennsylvania.-Phila
phia Times.