Highway Robberies.
--This species of amusement, which was thought to have gone out of vogue — having had its most brilliant representatives in the days of
Dick Turpin and
Claude Du Val, who flourished several hundred years ago — has been revived in
Richmond with considerable success.
On several occasions recently, parties have been arraigned before the
Mayor for committing acts which closely resemble those for which the highwaymen of the olden time suffered the extreme penalty of the law. It is, perhaps, to be regretted that the old time rule in regard to this class of offenders is now obsolete, and that a dance on one string does not reward the exertions of the highwaymen of the new era.--They certainly show by their boldness that they are entitled to all the consideration that can be extended to them as violators of the law.
Among the parties arraigned yesterday for offences resembling unauthorized and forcible levies on the highway, were
Geo. Annaker and
Wm. Rose, who were charged with having forcibly despoiled
Wm. E. McGrady of $70 and a
Colt's five-shooter worth $40. The case was continued until this morning.--
Francis H. Osgood and
Geo. W. Nelson, alias
Dick Johnson, two athletic looking white men, were arraigned for violently assaulting
John Driggers, an Alabama soldier, on Thursday night, and taking from his person three letters entrusted to his care to be delivered at
Manassas.
Driggers, who was stopping at the
Ballard House, stepped into
Bradford's restaurant, on Franklin street, where he met the prisoners and treated them several times.
When he attempted to leave the house he was followed by them, and after getting a short distance was thrown down, garroted, beaten severely and robbed.
He positively identified the prisoners as two of the party who made the assault.
Nelson, alias
Johnson, attempted to prove by
Bradford's bar-keeper that he did not leave the house after
Driggers did. He said that the latter was no doubt honest in his conviction that he was one of the men, but he was mistaken.
At the request of
Osgood, who wanted to prove that he was on Main street at the time of the robbery, the
Mayor continued the case until this morning.
