Great stuff, Larry. Just got it, with Amadou and Turpin Hero.

First time I'd heard the suggestion Dick Turpin maybe got away. Since he was born and carried on his trade only a few miles from where I live, I'd be pleased if he did.

Incidentally, here's an extract from the Gentleman's Magazine of the time, about the execution on April 7 1739 (taken from a book about highwaymen called Stand and Deliver by Patrick Pringle):

The notorious Richard Turpin and John Stead, were executed at York for horse-stealing. Turpin behaved in an undaunted manner; as he mounted the ladder, feeling his right leg tremble, he stamped it down, and looking around him with an unconcerned air, he spoke a few words to the topsman, then threw himself off, and expired in five minutes.

He declared himself to be the notorious highwayman Turpin, and confessed to a great number of robberies, and that he shot the man that came to apprehend him on Epping Forest, and King, his own companion, undesignedly, for which latter he was very sorry.

He gave £3 10s to five men who were to follow the cart as mouners, with hatbands and gloves to them and several others.

Jumping off the ladder was an unusual way to do it. Maybe he had some cunning plan. It made for a speedier death - but required courage.