Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-07-11
Daring Robbery orfhe .Jf,iY!

F., -
two O'Clock yesterday morning July 81
most daring robbery of the eastern mail was
committed about two miles east of the Great
Falls of Gunpowder. The mail was on IFS
way from the cast To Baltimore, and at the
place above mentioned was arrested in its pro-
grrss by IA fence which had been erected
across the road. The night was dark. brf the
lamps OF the carriage showed to the guard and
driver the nature of the obstruction, and at
once led them TO anticipate its object. We
learn from the guard that when the mail was
thus stopped, he saw four men, and three be-
ing near each other, he fired his blunderbuss
among them, they instantly uttered loud Yell
ing shouts, and two of the robbers came up
To the carriage, one on each side of it. The
guard then seized his pistols and discharged
them AT the men, but he believes neither Of
them took effect. The robbers then advanced
To the carriage, and seized the guard and the
driver. The guard was struck across the head
with pistol with which one of the rutfans
was armed, and the blow deprived him, for
short time, Of his senses.-The driver, heing
stout. active man, jumped from the carriage,
and alter a scuthe with two ofthe robbers who
had SeiZed on him, he finally made his escape
from them and got uff uaurt, alths SUCH a shot
was fred after him
The guard was taken about thirty yards
from the carriage, where the ruflian who had
first struck him, stood over him with pistol
presented 10 his breast.
The villain asked the guard Why he had
fired at him-to which the latter replied he
was only doing his duty-that he was sworn
To protect the mail. Some of the robbers call
ed on to their comrade Ia shoot him, or they
would shoot him (the robbery The guard
begged earnestly for his life as they talked u E
tying him and kept him in the most anxinus
suspense as to his fate. Al one time the
robher held his hands across the ewes of the
guard for about five minutes. During The
time that these events took place (which the
guard supp0ses was about half an hnur) the
rest OF the robbers were engaged in rilng the
mall The rohher then directed the guard to
SIT down at the fnot of tree, at the road side,
and not to stir at the peril Of his life. The
robher then went towards the wagon-and the
guard heard one of them say" The pncketis
ready' "he pHcha IS irniiing for u.s.
| Alter short time the guard slipped off his
shoes and crawled into the woods short dis
lance, where he remained until the driver re-
turned with Mr. RAuse, the postmaster at
Joppa, and two or three other persons. They
| found the mailbag cut open, and in locking
| about the spot where the robbers had been
fired at with the hlunderbuss, much blood was
discovered and traced 70. "A ncighbnuring field.
The faces of The robbers were blackpd--and
SHIRT was also found, which has the appear
ance of belonging to blacksmith.
The country round about has bYen alarmed,
and vlgilant search is making in every dirrc-
lion Tor the apprehension ofthe robbers. As
soon as the delay in the regular arrival Of the
mail authorized suspicion of Il robbery, Mr.
STOKES, one Of the mail contractors, iumrdi-
ately left the city to ascertain the causr.-
Parties of h0rsemen have since left the ri'y 10
ard IN the search, and every possible vigilance
has h"rn adopted to cause the arrest of the
robbers.
| We Iearn from Mr.. SKINNER, that the mail
for Baltimore is perfect in every part. That
part of the mail which has hren robbed WAS
| intended for places SouM Of Ballimore--and
he depreciation, Judging from appearances,
has been only 10 n small e1ient. The robbers.
| 1t is presumed, hurried off for fear of being de
| tected by those whom h,. driver might alarm
THE ROBBERS TAKEN!
Mr.. Stokes retnrnrd 10 this city about five
o'clock yesterday afiernuon-and from him
we learn the following particulars Of the tax
ing ut the mail robbers. Mr.. Stokes left this
city yesterday morning with Mr. Geo. Bartul.
and being joined at the place where the rob
berry occurred by Mr. Rouse, they went with
he shirt, which WAS found in the road, tn the
Iron ForSes on the Gunpowder. 1t WAS i'm
nediaiely identified by Mr.. Tuckrr. the Man
! ager, as brlnnging To- one Of the forgempn ma
proceeded to his hous. fur the purpose Of ar
resting him. lie denied all knowledge nf the
robbery, and expressed great Willingness tn
80 with Them. II brns known that another
nt the fOrgrmcn, named Moore boar led with
! EmmnuheiSrr. he was asked for. He was
SAID to- he sick aHd nnabe 10 come ont, hat
when the party showed determination To-
enter the hnnse, he came forward. They were
both arrested and taken to the house Of the
| Manager While EmmOnhriser was nndrr-
gong an examination by magistrate. Moore
was sent nuj Ofthr room. Will Mr. Stokes
was talking TO Moore, he saw that his vest
! was bntnurd M rather tloselv-on pulling
asidea black silk handkerchief VIII ch appeared
! to be- arranged with care to cover his breast
ne saw the matks of blood on Ncore's shirt.
| On further examination il was f,und he was
wounded badly ia The breast with six or seven
bnckshoi. Fin1ing himself thus detected. he
immediately nadra hll confession oflhe fact
oi rcbbing the mail, in which he WAS assisted
by Emmonhrisrr, then Under arrpsD and an.
other forgcmau named Ward. The batter
was immediately arrested, and on eylnna-
ton was found ia be severely shot IN The hand
by the hIuodrI bnss
Ainorr also confessed where The packages
taken frn'o Inc mail were hid-he went with
Messrs Stokes. Ruuse and others ~ tber lace
q where bag, brlongng 10 the forge, was found
under the leaves, IN which we're contained ~
bout two bushels orpackagrs. Those on IN,
top were known 10 De qua tcrly accounts y
noatpssiers on thrir way 10 The General Poe
Oihcr. The package appeared ~ be- tnucl
slsiued eilh blond. The bag was safely lie