"As [the robbers] were passing through Mr. Wm. Conover's farm, a few miles from town, he was out near one of the gates leading into his farm, and one of the men in a very peremptory tone demanded of him to 'Open the gate!'

"Not appreciating the tone in which he was addressed, Mr. Conover was rather slow in complying and asked: 'Who are you, anyhow?' One of them, levelling his pistol on him, said: 'D--- you, if you don't open that gate I'll teach you who we are!'

"Mr. Conover, appreciating less the argument with which it was proposed to make the demand effective, threw the gate wide open, and with a bow responded, 'Ride right through, gentlemen.'

"There were six or eight William Conovers in the county, and this particular William is a prominent farmer and trader. The postoffice department has had much difficulty in properly delivering the mail to the several gentlemen of this name, and a great deal of confusion resulted from one receiving the mail of the other, but from date of this occurrence this particular Wm. Conover has had no trouble about his identity.

"He is universally known as 'William Open-the-gate Conover,' and he says it has saved him a vast deal of trouble and annoyance in sending misdelivered letters and papers to his cousins, who bear the name of William. In fact, it has reconciled him to the name of William, which was for the reason aforesaid a little burdensome."