The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-01-12
ORIGINAL GUN MOLL WAS
NOT UNKNOWN in COUNTY
in NATIONAL ROAD DAYS

Gun Molls" contrary to common
belief, did not originate in the prohibi-
tion-gangster period. They existed in
this country-and in this section
more than a hundred years ago.
At least, woman was in the gang
of "highwaymen" who attempted to
rob stage coach near Grantsville on
August II, 1884.
This incident and other highlights
in the career of the driver of the stage,
Samuel Luman, have been recorded in
''The Old Pike, a History of the Ma
tional Road" by T. B. Searight.
Race Recalls Exploits
They were brought to light by Mrs.
Ralph Luman, of 224 Fayetts street,
Cumberland, widow of the veteran
drivers grandson, as an interesting
sidelight on the period recalled by last
weeks race between an old B. & O..
locomotive and a Railway Express
stage coach.
The attempted holdup was one of
the outstanding incidents in Mr.. Lu-
mans career, and he used to "relate it
with seeming pleasure"
The affair took place on the noun
famous stretch of highway between
Piney Grove, in what is now Garrett
county, and Frostburg, in Allegany
county.
Road Was Blocked
Luman was plotting an eastbound
mail and passenger coach. Darkness
had fallen, when at point studded by
a thick growth of pine trees, he was
confronted by a party of foot-pads
bent on felony"
They were give in number, and
strange to relate, one was woman"
The highwaymen had thrown across
the road fence-like obstruction made
of logs, stumps and brush.
AS the horses hesitated at the bar
rier, one of the would-be robbers step
ped out, seized bride and ordered
Luman to descend from his seat and
surrender his charge.
"This he very politely but very de-
cidedly declined to do"
"What do you want?" queried Lu-
man with seeming innocency.
eve are traders" was the reply.
Wet Powder Prevents Murder
"Well," Luman rejoined coolly, 81
have nothing to trade; l am satisfied
with my trappings and not DESTROYS of
exchanging them"
At this point, the robber, who was
holding lead horse by the bride,
called out to one of his partners to
shoot the driver.
The accomplice leveled pistol at
Luman and pulled the triggre, but the
result was nothing more than &
"snap."
The night air was damp, and the
powder had failed to explode. Lu-
mans life was spared.
Seeing the opportunity for a get
away, Luman poured volley of sting
ing lashes upon the robber holding the
horses.
The bandit winched and released his
hold.
Passengers Wealthy
The stage coach team, under Lu-
mans skillful hands, started off on a
run, leaped the barrier and sped on.
The coach almost capsized when it
struck the obstruction.
The grateful" passengers-west-
ern merchants going east to buy goods
and having among them as much as
100000 in cash-took up collection
to reward Luman for bringing them
safely to Frostburg.
The amount was ludicrously small,
however, and he declined to accept
"and ever thereafter regarded that
lot of passengers as mean set"
Starlight in his bulky volume terms
Luman zone of the best-equipped
stage drivers on the road" and "alto-
gether one of the most interesting
characters of the road"
Was Later Innkeeper
After many years as driver, he
tried his hand at tavern keeping, op-
Grating establishments at Plney
Plains, Frostburg, Mt. Savage and in
Cumberland.
He died July ~, 1895, at the age OF
sc years.
EVANSVILLE