The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1860-08-23
ARIANBURG,- IS. G., THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 1860
IIighvvaymen of the Old school,

HighVvaymenO Of the Old School.
Wells, Fargo & Co.'S Express was latel,
robbed in the most polite way of $4,000
near Chico, Butte County, California. The
San Francisco Herald gives the following
account Of the proceeding:
The outrage was committed at about
nine o'clock in the evening. The night
was dark, and rs the stage was emerging
from wood and about to descend into o
creek, the bed Of which was dry, some per-
son ahead of the coach called ON the driver
in loud voice, to stop. The driver sup
posed that team or some other obstruc-
tion was in the way, and suddenly rcined
in his horses. On looking round, some
what to his astonishment, he discovered two
men with doublc-barrelled guns lcyellcd at
the passengers on the box scat, and another
with similar weapon covering the four or
live persons inside.
The captain of the gang, with cooked
revolver in his hand stepped up to the dri-
yer and informed him in cool and clear
Voifc that he must have the money in the
treasurc-box, and then turning to Mr.. Bo-
wen, the express messenger, said: "Char-
ley, 1T will be of no use to resist. Nobody
shall be harmed, if you don't make any fuss.
And in tho mean time, pursued the high
wayman, gentlemen will be kind enough
to hold up their hands" 1t is not neccssa-
ry Tor us to say that the passengers obcycd,
and the driver dropped the rcins, and each
mans fingers pointed instantly to heaven.
"Now, then, Charley" said the robbcr, az
must have your pistol to prevent accidents" :"
anu he proceeded to u.sarm the express
man, Notwithstanding the outraged mans
remonstrances. AS the robbcr took the
pistol, with n naice aiTcctation Of surprise
aud an ominous shake of the head, he said:
"Why, Charley, the pistol is actually cock
ed Don't be foolish, Charley" There
upon Charley Immediately subsidized, with
the remark that it was very hard that he
should be treated in such a manner. "Not
at all, Charley" answered the robbcr, II
am not robbing yon--you cannot help your
self, but your Company advertiscs that they
have a capital stock of $500, 900, and SI5,-
ooO to divide among the boys would not
be missed, Charley, you know By way
oi modifying Charlcy's feelings, the high
wayman politely assured him, upon his hon
or, las gentleman" that hc was not n
murderer, and did not desire to take dol.
lar from any person then present
vt this time Mr. McDuffic suggested
that there existed no absolute necessity for
the strange gentleman's friends on the road
toipcrsist in holding their guns in So very
air-". "a lno -r;.h H., h.SL .. l., :, II
known men under such circumstances; to
suffer from nervous excitement, and al
though he could not doubt their peaceful!
49, ,,r thn hn,a.,,- 1, :.
+ the triggers Glanced TO be very finely set,
an explosion might take place unconscious
ly. Thercupon the robbcr bowed politely.
aud expressed his desire to make the inter
view as pleasant 4 one rs possible, aud i-
rectcd his men to elevate their luwlimg pie
cics, but still to keep the enemy well COW
cred After this he unhitchol the horses.
fastened them securely to fence close by,
declining, in aftectionatc language, the as
sistancc ot the driver, and drew from the
stage the box of treasure
lie was about to split open the box with
an axe, when he remarked to 'Charcy'
that it would be Il pity to spoil the furni-
turc, and asked for the key Obsuryin.,
some hesitation and grumhling on tho part
of the messenger, he brought forward Il
bundle OF cord, and expressed the opinion
that it would be necessary for him to tie
Charley" rs he was talking a great deal
too much. "What would You give to know
me, Charley Z" CHS face was ma,hcl) he
asked "Two-and-:. half" was the ,ullrnrc-
ply. "Ah, your libcrality will be the death
OF YOU replied the Mshwayman, who
then very coolly opened the trcasurc-box,
filled the pockets of his comrades with its