The Nevada Democrat., 1859-02-23
Hold ATTEMPT at Robbery.


Nichols are god dust dealers at Forest City.
Philip Nichols had lately been to the mint to
exchange gold dust for coin, and was returning,
having in his possession about $4,000 in coin.
He left Nevada on Saturday morning, in the
stage, for San Juan, where he arrived about
noon. About one o'clock he started with the
mule train for Forest City. The only persons
with him were Mr.. VIM. Rice, the proprietor of
the train, and passenger named Campbell, a
miner at Forest City. The money was placed
on pack mule, and driven ahead. Mr.. Mich
OILS was armed with an English derringer, and
an eight-inch revolver; Mr.. Rice had revol-
yer, and Mr. Campbell was unarmed.
About six miles from San Juan, and mile
and half beyond Celestial Valley, there is a
clump of trees standing near the road. When
they got to this place Mr.. Nichols saw shirt
sleeve projecting from behind one of the trees.
He remarked to Rice that there was man be-
hind the tree, put spurs to his own mule, got
ahead Of the pack mule and turned him back
towards Celestial Valley About the time he
turned the pack mule, the man came out from
behind the tree and fred shot at Nichols, but
without effect. Nichols returned the fire with
his derringer, which was loaded with eight
balls, and the man fell upon his knees, but i'm
mediately jumped up. Two other robbers then
came out from behind the trees, and all three
fired about the same time at Nichols, but again
without effect Nichols drew his revolver and
fred three more shots, and the robbers contin-
ued to fire at him. One ball struck his mule
in the neck, and the animal fell dead under his
feet At this time he was only ten or twelve
feet from the robbers. Mr.. Rice had some diff
iculty in drawing his revolver, but according
to his recollection, he fired one shot at the rob-
bcrs. Campbell dismOunted as soon as the
firing commenced, and his mule started back
and joined the pack mule.
As soon as Nichols mule was shot he started
back after his pack mule, and caught the two
, animals little this side of Celestial Valley,
finding his money all safe. The robbers then
took charge of Rice and Campbell. They
blindfolded the latter, and told him to keep
quiet, as they had no desire to hurt him. They
told Rice to hitch his mule which he did. The
tive men were tied fast to o manzanita' bush,
when the villains left, taking with them Rice S
revolver. Rice also lost eighty dollars in mon
ey but be has no recollection of its being taken
from him. Campbell was not searched; the
robbers were probably aware that he had no
money. The robbers started towards Forest
City, and about the time they were leaving Mr..
Rice heard some horses neighing a short dis
tance off which were doubtless the animals
rode by the robbers. Mr.. Nichols says that the
three men wore masks over their faces, and he
was not able to distinguish their features.
AS soon as Nichols caught the mules, he re-
turned to Celestial Valley, where three men are
residing upon o ranch. He started one of the
men to Camptonvile for a Doctor, supposing
that his companions had either been killed or
wounded; the other two started to fud the men,
and Nichols remained at the ranch, with bis
money. Rice and Campbell managed to get
loose in about half an hour after they were
tied, when they started for Celestial Valley
They soon met the two men who were in search
Of them, and the four returned to the ranch to-
gether. The doctor arrived from Camptonville
soon after, but his services were not needed.
Nichols, Rice, and Campbell then returned to
San Juan.
A miners Over-shirt, which evidently had
been but little worn, was afterwards picked up
near the place where the robbery was attempt
ed One of the sleeves had been riddled by
not less than four balls, and was bloody from
the elbow down. There was also bullet-hole
in the body of the Shirt on the left side.
When Nichols arrived at San Juan, the tele-
graph operator there was not able to commu-
nicate with the office at Nevada. 1t was after
wards ascertained that the wires had been cut
in several places near Montezuma.. ..
The men who attempted this robbery are ve-
ry well known in this county. Their names
are John Brouilette, Victor Bowley, and Jas.
Archie Brouilette and Bowley formerly kept
saloons in Nevada, and Archie has been hang
er-ou about gambling tables Just before the
pack train left San Juan, they went to the liv-
cry stable of 7. G. Smith, and procured two
horses and a mule with which to ride to Forest
City, as they said. The animals have not been
returned. One was spotted pinto horse,
branded "W. NJ" on the hip; the other was o
dark brown mare, with white spot on the
forehead, resembling leaf. The mule was a
small one, of brownish color. Bowley is the
one supposed to have been wounded. Between
eight and nine o'clock, on Saturday evening,
two men rode into Nevada on horses answering
the description of those taken from Smiths sta
bic. They left for parts unknown before the
news of the attempted robbery reached town.
Monday evening" intelligence was received,
by the arrival Of the Marysville stage that two
horses had been left at Brady's ranch, about
five miles below Empire ranch. and two others
stolen in their places. 1t was also reported,
but on what authority we cannot learn, that
Brouilette and Archie crossed the Yuba City
bridge early on Monday morning, and took the