JERRY GOES OUT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1940, Page 3

JERRY GOES OUT

CAREER OF L. J. ABERSHAW. No man ever went out of this world more coolly than Jerry. They used to tell all sorts of stories of him. for he was a highwayman who terrorised the roads between London and Wimbledon and Kingston. They said he never kept a penny for himself, that he took from the rich to give to the poor, and that he never missed his mark. Whatever truth there may have been in these tales, it is true enough that he had no fear. Born about 1773, he lived 22 years. His was a dangerous vocation, for highwaymen could hope for no other end than the end of a rope. The notorious inn known as the Bold-Faced Stag might shelter him when the Bow Street runners were after him, but he was certain to be laid by the heels some time. Even the amazing Old House in West Street at Clerkenwell, with all its secret doors and sliding panels and "hidy-holes.” could not keep such a man from the long arm of the law, and after shooting one constable dead and wounding another in 1795. Louis Jeremiah Abershaw—always known 'as Jerry—was caught, and put under lock and key.

He appeared before the Surrey assizes in July. He knew as well as everyone else that there was not a ghost of a chance for him, and ho was ready when the time came. As the judge put on the black cap Jerry tossed his own hat on his own head, and stood nonchalantly looking round the assembled court. Not a muscle of his face quivered, not a tremor shook his body. He smiled. Such sangfroid at such a time unnerved those who witnessed it. Jerry's carelessness never left him. During the few days between his sentence and execution, ho drew sketches of his chief exploits on the walls of his cell, using cherries in place of a pencil. On the way lo the gallows he appeared entirely unconcerned, standing with a flower in his mouth as he was driven by in a cart nodding to acquaintances, and waving his hand as ii'. indeed, he were royalty. He talked with all he knew, and was in the middle of a sentence as he strolled up to the rope, and took his plunge into eternity.