The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-06-25
THE DAILY EMPIRE.
Daring Highway Robbery In Ne
vada County, Cal.--The Highway
men Killed,


From the Nevada County Transcript, cali
Yesterday morning the San Juan stage
was stopped about four miles from this city,
and robbed. Wells, Fargo q Co.'S treasure
box was blown open, and S1.S16 taken. As
the stage reached the top of the grade a
mile from where It was stoppedten days
ago--when the robbers failed TO open the
safe-three men stepped ont and ordered
the driver TO stop, which he did. The leader
of the party, calling the driver by name,
told him to get down aud unliitch the team.
During this conversation the rohber said to
Cal Olmstcad, the driver, "Cal. you know
me-" "lcs, George" he began, but wns
not permitted to finish tho sentence. Tho
robber warned him that ho was "on it,
and that he would suffer If anything wns
said. The horses were taken out and led
OF from the stage.
! The passengers, six in number, were then
informed that their money would not be
taken. or they molcsted if they kept quiet.
The three men stood beside the stage and
| the passengers were ordered ont one at n
time, and searched for weapons. Frank
Mckee and II. V. Hatfield were called by
name, the leader informing the latter that
they had played poker together many
time in Sacramento ~ guess beat you,"
said Hatfield "Nes.n replied the rogue,
"but I've struck something now that you
can't beat me at" The only weapon found
was six shooter belonging to Hatfield,
which the robbers took. but returned after
they had completed their work They ap-
peared very talkative, making apparently
no attempt to disguise their voices.
After the passengers were all out, they
were marched short distance from the
stage and made to sit down on the'roadside.
two of the party standing guard over them
Tools were then brought ont and one of the
party got into the stage and knocked the
middle seat ont in order to get at the box.
Another who went 20 work as coOlly rs Il
mechanic at his trade. then put a blast in
the lock and discharged il, but without
taking effect. In answer TO n statement
made by passenger that the lock could
not be broken, he replied. ''It's II tough
job, and we may have to give 1t up and 90
to robbing poor teamsters again. Wen
try once more, and if we don't raise itwe'll
let you 60" They then procured bark and
leaves, with which the lock was damped
and another charge was put into the lock.
A fire was built on the top of ID and the
charge went oil, this time with better eff
fet. The lock is said to be powder proof.
1t is open on all sides, and has n heavy face
of chilled iron which sets in the top of the
safe. IL Is held in its place by shoulders on
one side and tastens on the other, with n
heavy brass holt. This bolt was bent back
by the explosion and the lock then broken.
The brass paddock on the outside was bro
ken by blows with a sledgc hammer oraN.
After the robbers finished their work, the
passengers were permitted 10 get aboard
: the stage.
After the robbery was committed, the
rogues and passengers took drinks from the
same jug. The stage arrived in this city
about five o'clock yesterday morning,a and in
: about an hour Sheriff Gentry had u posse
} in pursuit of the robbers. Wells, Fargo a
Co, offered a reward of $1,000 for the ar
rest of the robbers and recovery of the
treasure.
As soon as the news of the robbery was
received in town Sheriff Il. Il. Gentry, or
ganizcd party of six and started in pur-
suit. The posse consisted of the Sheriff,
Steve Nenard. Alfred Gentry, James X.
Lee, A. W. Potter, and Frank Mckee.
They went to the ground where the rob
berry was committed and began search. The
country was rough, being cut up by deep
ravincs and gulchcs, and covered with n
thick growth of chapparcl. The party, af-
: ter consultation, divided in twos, and
spreading ont SO as 10 take in the whole
range, started in the direction indicated by
passengers as the one taken by the robbers.
Stcye Venard and Lee soon succeeded In
striking their trail, and followed it, until
= about half mile from the place where the
4 stage was stopped,
9 Nenard, who is II thorough officer. sniis-
, fled that he was on the right track, sent
A Lee back 10 bring up the balance of the
party. Gentry had started alone up the
/. Nubn, Keeping close to the banks. Nenard
had gone about half mile further when he
r came upon the robbers. The three were
5 armed with two navy revolvers each, and
g Steve Venard had a revolver and one OF
= IIenry's sixteen shooting rifles The rob
bcrs, hidden among the rocks, discovered
G Nenard about the same time hc saw them.
9 when within fifteen feet of him. One of
y the rogues drew and cooked his revolver,
bnt before he could fire he was killed with
the rifle. A second was served in the same
way, and the third. who attempted to es-
cape, was made to bite the dust. Two died
, with their pistols cooked. Steve fired four
shots and killed the three robbers. The
balance of the party, hearing the firing,
hastcned to the spot, but when they arrived
the work was done, and treasure, except
: So0 recovered,