Year: 1876

kansas City Times.l


During the last week or two the east


ern porion of Jackson County has been


somewhat excited over the daring and


dasbing exploits of youthful highway


man, who has cried "stand and deliver


to several worthy citizens returning to


their farms from the county seat. He
appeared at several different places in


the vicinity of Independence during Fri


day and Saturday, and relieved three or


four different parties of their wealth.


His operations have been of the boldest.


They would have won the admiration OF


bold Dick Turpin or Vasques, the Cali.


fornia road agent. He did not appear to


fear capture or care for Identification.


He wore no mask, sought no conceal
ment under the shadow of night, and


rode no "Black Bess" to leap over
fences and hedges when closely pressed


by pursuers. He was in short bold
highwayman of the foolhardy sort.


Last Friday three honest, hard-work-
ing farmers were on their way to their
homes east of independence. He came
upon them suddenly, and presenting his
pistol demanded them to stand and de-
liver all their money. He took only
three dollars from tn is unhappy and
frightened trio, and then he courteously
bade them 60 home and rest in peace.
He disappeared in the woods, and owing
to the small amount of money taken no
attempt was made fer his capture. On
the following night Saturday he made
a better haul. Meeting man named
Silas Gibson he relieved him of ten dol
lars, and colored man named Polk Rose
acceded to his deman ds and gave him
fifteen dollars. Having supplied him
self wi n cash he proceeded to the farm
of Edward Hallar, near Blue Springs on
the Sny hills, and selecting two-horse
buggy from his stable cut out the tongue
and supplied its place with pair of
shafts. After Harvesting up his horse
with a fine pair of harness belonging to
Hallar, be drove away on the old Harri-
sonville road, no doubt feeling as jolly as
it is possible for reckless highwayman to
feel.


1t appears that this eccentric young
man is devoutly inclined, and admires
female loveliness. With view of pay
ing his devotion to Deity and beauty at
the same time time, he drove up to the
farmhouse of a well-to-do citizen in
Brooking Township, and engaged lodging
for the night. His polite department
and interesting conversation won the
confidence Of the farmer, and his gay
and dashing appearance won the good
graces of the farmers two pretty daugh-
ters. The stranger had no difficulty
in inducing the girls to accompany him
to church where be appeared to pay
earnest attention to the sermon. While
he was listening to the good words which
fell from the pulpit, dividing his time
between the parsOn and the two pretty
girls by his side, the church was sur
rounded by posse of citizens, and the
highwayman called upon to come out
and surrender. He apologized to the
two young ladies for leaving them before
the service was through, remarking
smilingly, Business before pleasure,
ladies'" and then drove off with his cap
tors to Independence.


There was great excitement in Inde
pendence when the highwayman was
brought in on Sunday afternoon. He
made no signs of an attempt to escape
until he reached Independence. Then
the prospect of Jail excited his dare
devil spirit, and before he could be pre-
vented he jumped from the buggy, and,
bursting from the hold of the captors,
made dash for liberty. Six pistol shots
were fired, but none took effect. He
wasrun down and captured after sharp
race and escorted to Jail.


The prisoner is a young man, evi-
IDENTIFY not more than twenty-five years
of age. He has smooth, beardless face,
has dark hair and dark eyes, the latter
bright and restless, but showing evil
dence of fearless, daredevil disposition.
He is not heavily built, and is not more
than five feet eight or nine inches high.
He is dressed quite respectfully in dark
clothing, and is evidently well con-
nected. He was quite reticent, and re-
fused to converse with any one after his
capture. Hegave hisn as George De-
masters, and said his home is in Lafay-
cite County, near Wellington. 1t is said,
however, in this city, by those claiming
to know him, that he is from Ray County.
He had preliminary examination
yesterday in Independence and was COM
mitted for trial in default of $4,000
bail. He is strange, daredevil sort of
a youth, more foolhardy than brave.