Highway robbery, 1878

from the New Jersey Courier 7 Nov 1878

A dispatch to the New York Herald says that two men in a light wagon drove up to the Halfway House, a hotel situated about eight miles southwest of Asbury Park on Monday last, and inquired the way to the Shark River Southern Railroad. They were told the route and drove on. In a little while, the horse came running back, dragging the wagon which was upset.

Several men started in search of the strangers, fearing they were injured. About a half mile from the hotel they found one of them lying in the edge of the woods in an unconscious condition and with a dangerous stab wound in the right side of his neck, near the shoulder. It was later ascertained that his name was COOK and that he belonged in Long Branch. There being no physicians in the neighborhood, he was conveyed to Long Branch while still insensible.

His companion had disappeared and foul play is suspected. It was noticed that a gun which had been seen in the possession of the missing man was also gone. Search was immediately instituted but is is so far fruitless.