Just for Fun: Mail Theft Circa 1840

Old Time Mail Robbery

Mail theft is practically epidemic in the 21st century, but turns out it’s nothing new. In fact, there are reports of thieves robbing mail from Stagecoaches dating back to 1840!

The Ohio State Journal reported a Mail Robbery on March 9, 1840:

“The mail coach from the west to Columbus was, at 10 o’clock last night, stopped by two men about three miles on this side of Springfield. There was no other person with the coach but the driver. One of the robbers put a pistol to his breast and forced him to halt his team, while the other broke open the coach and abducted the Cincinnati letter bag. This was the only bag taken.

“As soon as the driver was at liberty, he put his horses to their full speed and gave the alarm at his first stopping place. A diligent search, we understood, was immediately commenced in the neighborhood.”

It turns out an empty mailbag was later found by the side of the road. The robbers were never captured.

Just goes to show you, some things never change!

(Story reported here)