The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-07-02
gr ,nted, but not before the following incident

gr ,nted, but not before the following incident
occurred. fara .ata. sfaF4 alI
Some three months after this, I received an
account for collection from wholesale house
in New York. The parties to collect from
were hard ones, but they had property, and
before they had an idea of the trap laid, had
the property, which they were about to assign
before they broke, under attachment. Find
ing was neck ahead and bound to win, they
"caved ia" and s'forked over" three thousand
seven hundred and ninety-four dollars and
eighteen cents, (per memorandum book in
good money. They lived in Shawneetown,
about thirty-fvs or forty miles southeast of
Moore's Prairie. received the funds just af-
ter bank opening, but other business detained
me till after dinner. l then started for c.,
intending to 60 as far as the village Of Mount
Vernon that night. v.se Iaa5
had gone along ten Or twelve miles, when
noticed splendid team of double horses at
tached to light wagon, in which were seated
four men, evidently Of the high strung order.
They swept past as if to show how easily they
could do it. They shortened in and allowed
me to come up with them, and hailing me
asked me TO sswet," or in other words dimin-
ish the contents Of a jug Of old rye they had
aboard, but excused myself with the plea
that had plenty on board. They asked me
how far was going. tod them as far as
Mount Vernon, if my horse didn't tire out
They mentioned a pleasant tavern 10 or IL
miles ahead, as a nice stopping place, and then
drove on.
did not like the looks Of those fellows, nor
their actions. But was bound to go ahead.
had brace of revolvers. and nice knife !;
my money was not in my valise or my sulky,
but in belt round my body. drove slow,
in hopes that they would go on, and should
see them no more. 1t was nearly dark when
saw tavern sign ahead. At the same time
saw their wagon stood before the door.
would have passed on, but my horse needed
rest. | hauled up and 4 woman came to the
door. She turned as pale as a sheet when she
saw me-she did not speak, but with mean
ing look she put her finger on her lips and
beckoned me in she was the wife Of my late
client. ~
When | entered, the party recognized me,
aud hailed me as All old travelling friend, and
asked Inc to drink. respectfully, but firmly
declined TO do SO.
"By Cd, You shall drink or fight - said
the noisiest of the party.
"Just as you please, drink | shall not - said
pdrPosely showing the butt of a Colt wh.eh
kicks six times in rapid succession.
The party interposed. and very easily quell-
ed the assailaLt. Ore offered me cigar which
reluctantly refused, but a glance from the
woman induced me to accept. She advanced
and profTered me light, and in doing so slip
ped q note into my hand, which she must have
written lnoment before. Never shall for
g, t h words-they weIe: .v
Beware; they are members of the gang
They mean 70 rob and murder you. Leave
soon; will deiain them % ....
did not feel comfortable just then, but
tried 10 do so
Have yon any room 10 pat up my horse?"
asked turning 10 the woman.
"What-are you not going on to-niyht p
asked one Of the men; Swe are"
"No" said [, 81 shah stay here tonight"
"We'll all stay then, guess, and make a
night of it t!'' said another of the cut-throats.
you'll have to put up your owa horse
here's a lantern," said the woman.
II am used to that" I said. 'Gentemen,
excuse me a minute; I'll join you in drlnl,
,chen come in."
"Good on your head More whisky, old
gal," shouted they.
l went out, glanced at their wagon it was
old fashioned, and 'linch pins" secured the
wheels. To take out my knife and pry one
from the fore and bind wheels was but the
work of at instant, and threw them as far off
in the darkness as could. To unite my horse
and dash of was but the work Of moment.
The road lay down steep hill, but my lantern
lighted me somewhat.
had hardly got under full heaiway, when
heard yell from the party had so uncere-
moniously left. Iput whip to my horse. The
next moment with shout they start, ID.
threw my light away, and left my horse to
pick his way. A moment later, heard a
crash-a horrible shrek. The wheels were
off. Then came the rush of the horses tearing
along with the wreck of the wagon. Finally
they seemed to fetch up 10 the wood. One or
two shrieks | heard as swept OF, leaving
them far behind. For some tiIae hurried my
horse-you'd better believe S'ridr' II was
midnight when got to Mount Vernon.
Next day heard that Moore's Prairie
team had run away, and that two men out Of
four had been so badly hurt that their lives
were despaired Of; but didn't cry. My
clients got their money; but dida't travel
that road any more.
In France letters are sorted on the railways
while the train is in motion. When a train
arrives IN Paris, the mail bags are directly
carried to the train about to leave the city,
instead ofthe post Office. The country mails
are made up twice day-to many cities three
or four times. All public conveyances carry
letter-box when they reach their destination,
they deliver it to the post Office, which gives
them another on their return Zip. Money
orders are furnished by the post offices at 2
per cent, commission.
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