The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-06-20

sift the facts from OicK VURPiH
the fiction. Some historians say hs
was a fascinating daredevil. Others
say he was merely a stupid rufian. 1,
is due to this variance as we'll As to
tho strangeness of his alleged ex'
ploits that Turpin figures as a historic
blackguard. Here-es well as truth
can be separated from fancy-is the
usually accepted story of his life:
Richard-or Dick-Turpin was born
at Hampstead. England. In September.
l709. His parents were poor. They
apprenticed him in early youth to q
butcher But Dick took a more than
neighborly interest in other peoples
cattle. At last he was caught steal
ing steers that had been sent to his
employer for butcherlng. To steal
cattle In those days was a hanging
offense" Turpin fed for his life.
scoring the first of his many escapes
from justice.
He Joined q gang Of thieves and
became their leader. But he soon
tired OF associatiK with rascals OF
duller brains than his own. More
over. their blunders or treachery
might add to his own danger. So he
left the gang after he had learned all
the villainies its members could
teach him.
Sometimes, in later days, he would
employ one of his old comrades as an
accomplice. But most Of his crimes
were committed shgle-handed. He
became a highwayman and his name
quickly spread terror throughout the
whole countryside.
Railroads and telegraph were not
yet invented. News travelled slowly.
So did everything. Now and then a
message or letter was carried fast
across country, on horseback, with
relays OF speedy horses waiting from
point to point. But the usual mode OF
travel was over heavy roads in a
heavier stage coach.
There were lines Of stage coaches
drawn by four horses. Passengers
filled the roof and body Of the vehicle.
while guard, armed with a blunder-
buss sat beside the driver to protect
the lives and valuables the coach car
ffed. Gentlemen of wealth had pri-
vate coaches in which they travelled
between their country homes and Lon
don.
Naturally, the coaches often held
large sums of money and jewelry, and
the passengers were in the habit OF
carrying plenty of cash with them.
All this made the stage lines favorite
haunts for highwaymen.
A coach would round turn in the
road to confront masked horseman
whose leveled pistols threatened the
guard even. while his disguised voice
croaked: STAND and deliver!" Often
the masked man would overawe the
make them line up In the
road. rob them and the coach, then
Jump on his horse and gallop away
with his plunder Before the police
could be notified he was usually many
miles away.
Turpin was one OF the most daring
Of these hlghwaymen. Not content
with robbing passengers, he would Of
ten play quaint tricks on them. II
his demands for money were resisted
he had no scruples about sending
pistol bullet through his opponents
brain. Altogether there was much
brutal crime and little poetry about
him.
The most picturesque Of Turpin's
'eats was his famous ride from Lon
don to York-an adventure whose
truth some writer's doubt. Dick had
an atrocious robbery near
London. Knowing he was recognized,
he set out to secure an alibi. Mount
ng his mare, Black Bess. he galloped
% York. The distance was 200 miles
over bad roads. The journey usually
ook four days. Dick made It in fif-
.een hours, and his mare dropped
lead as he reached York. When Tur-
pin was arrested for the London rob-
,ery he proved by reliable witnesses
hat he had been loafing about the
York streets fifteen hours after the
fact that seemed to forbid
lis having reached there by natural
means. Therefore, it was decided he
must be innocent.
Turpin was hanged at York April
%, 1920.