road agent

American  

noun

1. (formerly) a highwayman, especially along stagecoach routes in the western U.S.

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road agent British  

noun

1. (formerly) a bandit who robbed stagecoaches; highwayman

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Etymology

Origin of road agent

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Paul Manson, the road agent in Wentworth, said he had already been plowing for about six hours Saturday when he encountered Greeson standing in the middle of the road around 8 a.m.

From Washington Times • Mar. 10, 2023

But where'd you come from: and what for do you turn road agent and hold up your old friends?'

From The Killer by White, Stewart Edward

It seemed hours until the road agent reached the bottom of the ladder, then lurched with unseeing eyes to a chair and, finally, fell forward limply, with his arms and head resting on the table.

From The Girl of the Golden West by Belasco, David

If, by any chance, the road agent made a mistake and stopped a party of native Californians or Mexicans, they were at once permitted to proceed on their way with the bandit-leader's profuse apologies.

From The Girl of the Golden West by Belasco, David

“Going to have a real, bad road agent in your play, Ruthie?”

From Ruth Fielding In the Saddle College Girls in the Land of Gold by Emerson, Alice B.