The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-21
A HIGHWAYMAN OF THE OLD
SCHOOL.

! 0Sh00A.
/ Wells, Fargo Il Co.'s express was lately robbed
In the most polite way of 5000, near Chico,
Butte county, California. The San Francisco
Herald gives the following account ofthe proceeding:
The outrage was committed at about nine o'clock
in the evening The night was dark, and as the
stage was emerging from a wood and about to
descend into creek, the bed of which was dry,
some person ahead ofthe stage called the driver
in loud voice. to stop. The driver supposed that
team or some other obstruction was in the way,
and suddenly reined in his horses. On looking
round, somewhat to his aston;shment, he discovered
two men with doubled barrelled guns leveled at
the passengers on the box seat and another with
similar weapon covering the four or five persons
inside.
The captain of the gang, with cooked revolver
in his hand, stepped up to the driver and informed
him in a cool and clear voice that he must have
the money in the treasure box and then turning
to Mr. Bowen, the express messenger, sad "Charley,
it will be Of no use to resist Nobody shall be
harmed, if you don't make any fuss. And in the
meantime" pursued the highwayman, "gentlemen
will be kind enough to hold up their hands" 1t
is not necessary for to say that the passengers
obeyed and the driver dropped the reins, and each
mans fingers pointed instantly to heaven. ''Now,
then, Charley" said the robber, "I must have
your pistol to prevent accidents, and he proceeded
to disarm the expressman, Notwithstanding the
outraged mans 1emonstrances. As the robber
took the pistol, with naive afectation of surprise
and an ominous shake of the head he said, ''Why,
Charley, the pistol is actually cooked Don't be
foolish Charley" Thereupon Charley Immediately
subsided with the remark that it was very hard
that he should be treated in such manner" "Not
at all, Charley" answered .the robber, 81 am not
robbing you-you cannot help yourself, but your
company advertise that they have capital stock
of S500,O0O, and $4,000 to divide among the
boys would not be missed, Charley, you know"
By way Of modifying Charley's feelings the
highwayman politely assured him, upon his honor
Gas gentleman" that he was not a murderer, and
did not desire to take dollar from any person
then present
At this time Mr. McDufie suggested that there
existed no absolute necessity for the strange
gentlemans friends the road to persist in holding
their guns in so very direct line with his head
as he had known men under such circumstances
to suffer from nervous excitement, and although
he could not doubt their peaceful assurances or
the honesty of their intention, if the triggers
CHANGED to be very finely set an explosion might
take place unconsciously. Thereupon the robber
bowed politely, and expressed his desire to make
the interview as pleasant one as possible, and
directed his men to elevate their fowng pieces,
but still to keep the enemy "well covered" After
this he unhiched the horses fastened them securely
to fence near by, declining. in affectionate
language, the assistance of the driver, and drew
from the stage the box of treasure
He was about to split open the box with an axe,
when he remarked to "Charley," that it would be
pity to spoil the furniture, and asked for the
key Observing some hesitation and grumbling
en- the part of the messenger, he brought forward
bundle of cord and expressed the opinion that it
would be necessary for him to tie "Charley," he
was talking great deal too much. "What would
you give to know me, (his face was masked,)
Charey?' he asked. "Two-and-a d-a-half," was the
sullen reply, "Ah, your ibcrality will be the
death of you" replied the highwayman, who then
very coolly opened the treasure box, filled the
pockets of his comrades with its contents, placed
'Chareys" pistol in the bed Of the COACH fastened
the horses again to the STAGE expressed the delight
he experienced in meeting with gentlemen who
were unexceptionable in their department, and
bade graceful adieu, The robbers then left for
the woods. During the whole proceeding not an
oath was heard, and the captain of the gang did
his utmost, says ourinformant, to soohe the alright
of the passengers