A Lone Highwayman in Nevada

By William Daugherty, for the Reno Evening Gazette in 1891

The rugged landscapes of Nevada, particularly during the bustling era of the mid-19th century, were not only canvases of natural beauty but also stages for intriguing tales of survival, desperation, and unexpected acts of kindness. One such story, recounted by William Daugherty in the Reno Evening Gazette in 1891, unveils an encounter with a lone highwayman near Austin, Nevada, painting a vivid picture of the times and the characters who inhabited them.

The Unexpected Encounter

In the spring of 1865, a traveler on horseback was making his way along the upper grade leading into Austin, Nevada. The road was likely dusty, winding through the hills, with the promise of the town just a short distance away. As he rounded a sharp curve, his journey was abruptly interrupted.

"Throw up your hands!" The command shattered the tranquility of the Nevada landscape. Before him stood a lone highwayman, a figure straight out of a Western dime novel. The highwayman was armed with a "villainous-looking revolver," a weapon that symbolized the raw, untamed nature of the frontier.

"Hand out your purse," the highwayman continued, his voice firm and unwavering. The traveler, faced with the imminent threat, complied without hesitation. He handed over his purse, its weight indicating a fair sum of money within.

What followed was unexpected. The highwayman, unmasked and composed, took his time inspecting the contents of the purse. He extracted a single dollar bill, then returned the purse, with all its remaining contents, to the astonished traveler. "Move on," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The traveler, undoubtedly bewildered, did as he was told. He rode into Austin, his mind likely racing with questions. Was this some bizarre form of highway robbery? Was the highwayman merely playing a strange game?

Breakfast and Revelation

After stabling his horse, the traveler sought refuge and sustenance at Marioni’s Rotisserie, a local establishment that likely served as a hub for news and gossip in the small town. As he waited for his breakfast, he picked up a newspaper, attempting to distract himself from the morning’s unsettling encounter.

It wasn’t long before he noticed someone taking a seat opposite him. When his breakfast arrived, he set aside the paper and looked up. To his utter astonishment, the man sitting across from him was none other than the lone highwayman.

An unspoken tension filled the air as the two men ate their breakfasts. Neither acknowledged the other, yet the traveler couldn’t help but observe the highwayman. He appeared calm and collected, as if the morning’s events were nothing out of the ordinary.

When they both finished their meals, they approached the counter to settle their bills. The highwayman placed a dollar bill on the counter – the very same dollar he had taken from the traveler’s purse on the grade. The meal cost seventy-five cents, and the highwayman used the change to purchase a cigar, which he lit before stepping out onto the sidewalk.

The traveler, his curiosity piqued beyond endurance, decided to confront the highwayman. "Excuse me," he began, "but haven’t we met before this morning?"

"Yes, we have," the highwayman replied, his candor disarming.

"Well, please explain the liberty you took with me?" the traveler pressed, seeking an explanation for the bizarre robbery.

The highwayman’s response was straightforward and honest. "Certainly," he said, "I am broke and can’t get work, and d–d if I’ll beg."

His words revealed a man driven to desperate measures by circumstance. He wasn’t a hardened criminal, but rather a man down on his luck, unwilling to resort to begging.

An Act of Kindness

The traveler, moved by the highwayman’s sincerity, opened his purse once more. He handed the highwayman five dollars, saying, "Take that to eat on, and when it’s gone, if you have not found work, come to me and get more."

The highwayman accepted the money with polite thanks. He then set about finding work, which he eventually secured. Over time, he became a respected and substantial citizen of Austin.

The traveler, true to his word, never revealed the name of the highwayman. The old residents of Austin, however, acknowledged that the traits displayed by the man were characteristic of him, had his name been given.

A Glimpse into the Old West

This tale, recounted by William Daugherty, offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of life in the Old West. It’s a story of desperation and survival, but also of unexpected kindness and redemption. The lone highwayman, driven to robbery by poverty, finds a second chance thanks to the compassion of a stranger.

The story also highlights the unique character of the frontier. In a place where law and order were often tenuous, individuals were forced to rely on their own resourcefulness and moral compass. The traveler’s decision to help the highwayman, rather than seek revenge, speaks to a sense of community and understanding that was often present in these isolated settlements.

Furthermore, the highwayman’s transformation into a "substantial citizen" underscores the potential for change and redemption, even in the most unlikely of individuals. It’s a reminder that people are often more than their circumstances, and that a single act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life.

Conclusion

The story of the lone highwayman in Nevada is more than just a historical anecdote. It’s a testament to the human spirit, the challenges of frontier life, and the enduring power of compassion. It reminds us that even in the most desperate of circumstances, there is always the possibility for redemption and that acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Also See:

• Nevada Mining Tales (Reno Evening Gazette)
• Pioneers on the Nevada Frontier (Reno Evening Gazette)
• Pioche Land Jumpers and the Death of Jack Harris (Reno Evening Gazette)
• The Stage Held Up
• Violence on the Nevada Frontier (Reno Evening Gazette)

This rewritten article provides a more descriptive and informative account of the original story, setting the scene and expanding on the themes and implications of the narrative.