August 10, 1875: Artist Frederick Sands Narrowly Escapes Highwayman's Bullets

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

August 10, 1875: Frederick Sands of Engelsville, while returning from visiting a lady friend, was met by a man at the Manatawny bridge on the road from Reading to Boyertown. He pointed a gun at Sands and demanded his money.

Sands replied that he had no money and the only thing he had of value was his horse blanket. The highwayman demanded it. Sands threw it over the man’s head with the intention of blinding him and getting the pistol, but the robber was too quick for that and fired the gun.

Fortunately the shot missed Sands’ body, but did bore two holes through his coat. Sands was able to grab the weapon, and pointing it at the “footpad,” ordered him to get into the wagon, which he did.

They had not gone too far when the culprit saw his opportunity. Catching Sands off guard, he jerked the pistol from his hand and sprang from the carriage. At that point, Sands plied the whip to his horse and was soon out of the way of danger.

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