Personating a Policeman

How a Country Gentleman was Arrested for a Tramp by a Highwayman

Dallas Morning News
23 January 1886

About 1 a.m. yesterday, while Mr. George Reynolds, of Forney, was walking between the Union Depot and the coal chute, awaiting the arrival of a train, he was approached by a person closely muffled, who ordered him to consider himself under arrest. Mr. Reynolds asked on what charge, and was informed, “On the charge of being a tramp.”

“Show me your authority for depriving me of my liberty?” demanded Mr. Reynolds.

“This is it,” was the reply, as the arresting party drew a sixshooter and held it up to Mr. Reynolds for inspection. He then ordered Mr. Reynolds to march forward, and they started in the direction of the coal chute. As they neared that convenient place for robbery, a conductor hove in sight and Mr. Reynolds informed the party who had taken charge of him that he was glad to find the conductor, as either he or the City Marshal could identify him. The robber, for such he is suspected of being, did not wait for the conductor to come up, but taking leg bail started into darkness. As soon as word could get to the police headquarters, Officers Ramsey and Keehan were sent in pursuit, which proved fruitless.