HOW FAMOUS HIGHWAYMEN WERE CAPTURED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2376, 14 September 1899, Page 55

HOW FAMOUS HIGHWAYMEN WERE CAPTURED.

One of the most interesting features in a recent issue of Windsor is an article by S. E. Waller upon that famous gang of highwaymen, Richard, Thomas, and Henry Dunsdon, who infested the forest of Wychwood, in Oxfordshire, during the latter part of last century. After dealing with one or two of their most notable exploits, the writer gives an account of their capture and subsequent execution.

" On Whit Sunday, 1784, when a village festival was being held, and a distribution of forest venison was taking place, Henry and Thomas Dunsdon joined a crowd of villagers and sightseers*, many of the latter county gentlemen. A move was made later on for Capp's Lodge. The Dunsdons had ridden over from their cave at Tangley Wood ; and though they were known to the landlord, the whole neighbourhood was in such terror of their name that that worthy thought it wisest to hold his tongue. Anyhow, the robbers were sufficiently well dressed and had enough money to take a part in the gambling scene in the Summer House, where play was kept up till nearly daybreak. "Whether the Dunsdons were unlucky at play on this occasion, we know not; but they stayed on, evidently with some purpose until* 4 o'clock in the morning. A suspiciou arose that they had accomplices without, and an effort was at length made to eject them. After some words and blqwSi William Harding,, the tapster^ who

acted throughout with th,e greatest courage, closed with Henry Dunsdor.. Dunsdon shot him without" a •word. The shot broke Harding's arm. He still held on, and Dunsdon drew a second pistol, "putting the bullets or slugs in Harding's breast.

"At that moment Perkins, an ostler, ran tip and tripped Dunsdon's feet from under him ; then, picking up one of the discharged pistols which Henry had thrown on the ground, he turned on Thomas Dunsdon, who Jiad run to his brother's assistance with loaded weapons, and knocked him senseless by a blow on the head. Thomas with returning consciousness tried to aid Henry in killing Harding outright.

" The landlord now joined in the struggle, which lasted some time. When all were on the ground together, Henry Dunsdon, who was undermost, drew a third pistol from his tail-coat pocket, and fired point blank at the landlord. A quantity of halfpence in mine host's apron pocket turned the shot.

" Constable Seeker, of Widford, was sent for, and both the men were at last secured. The robbers were tried, convicted, and, I believe, executed at Gloucester, and even condemned, in addition, to have their bodies gibbeted on the scene of their crimes.

'■ After execution, the brothers were hanged in chains on an oak tree in Wychwood Forest."