Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-08-02
Express Robbery by Highwavmen

Express Robbery by Highwaymen.
Enteytajning account Of the Hroceed-
ings.-The San Francisco Herald gives
the subjoined account of the robbery re-
Gently committed by four highwaymen, on
Wells, Fargo and Coz Express, near Chico,
in Butte county, California The sum OBJ
tanned was 5000.
The outrage was committed at about nine
o'clock in the evening The night was
dark, and as the stage was emerging from
wood, and about to descend into creek,
the bed Of which was dry, some person
ahead Of the coach called on the driver, in
a loud voice, to stop. The driver suppos-
ing that a team or some other obstruction
Was in the way, suddenly reined in his
horses On looking around somewhat
to his astonishmcnt, he discovered two men,
with double barreled guns levcled at the
passengers on the box seat, and another
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 clear and
cool voice that he must have the money in
the treasure box, and then turning to Mr..
Bowen, the express messenger, said, Char
ley, 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 high
wayman, gentlemen will be kind enough
to hold up their hands 1t is not neces-
sary for US to say that the passengers drop
ped the reins, and each mans fingers point
ed instantly to heaven. Now, then, Char
iav 10 { I
pistol to prevent accidents, and he proceed
ed to disarm the expressman, notwithstand-
ing the outraged mans remonstrances.
As the robber took the pistol, with
naive attectation Of surprise and ominous
shake Of the head, he said, why, Char
ley the pistol is actually cooked. Don't
be foolish, Charley Thereupon Charley
Immediately subsidized with the remark that
it was very hard that he should be treated
in such manner Not at all, Charley
answered the robber; am not robbing
yo@-you cannot help yourseIf-but your
company advertise that they have capital
stock of 100000, and $4,000 to divide
among the boys would not be missed, you
know BY way of mortifying Charley's
feelings, the highwayman politely assured
him upon his honor as a gentleman that
he was not a murderer, and did not desire
to take dollar from any person then pres
ent.
At this time Mr. McDufie suggested
that there existed no absolute necessity for
the strange gentleman's friends on the
road to persist in holding their guns in so
direct line with his head, as he had known
men under such circumstances suffer from
nervous excitement, and although he could
not doubt of their peaceful assurances, or
the honesty of their intentions, if the trig
gers CHANGED to be finely set, an explosion
might take place unconsciously. There
upon the robber bowed very politely, and
expressed his desire to make the interview
as pleasant a one as possible, and directing
his men to elevate their pieces, but still to
keep the enemy well covered After
this he unhitched the horses fastened them
securely to a fence near by, declining, in
afectionate 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 on the part of
the messenger, he brought forward bum
die of cord and expressed the opinion that
it would be necessary for him to tie Charley,
as he was talking great deal too much.
What would you give to know me (his
face was masked,) Charley p he asked.
'Two-and- -a-half,' was the sullen reply.
All, your iberality will be the death of
you, replied the highwayman, who then
very coolly opened the treasure box, filed
the pockets of his comrades with the con-
tents, placed Charley's pistol in the bed Ct
the coach, fastened thS l.S horses again to the
ss!.@@se, expressed the delight he experienced
In meeting with gentlemen VINO were so
unexceptionable in their department., and
bade a graceful adieu The robbers then
lett Tor the woods. During the whole pro-
ceealngS cee,a not an oath was heard, and the
cal, captain a; not OF th@s gang did his utmost, says
our lnlorm' 4nt, to soothe the alright OF the