Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-02-04
A Singular Scene in Texas.

The Rochester LRioR and Democrat
publishes the following singular story
The hero of this incident is a native of
Genessee county, New York, and for personal
reasons | will not mention his name. The
circumstances, rs witnessed by myself, are
these:
am in the employ of the Quartermaster' 5
Department of the United States army, and on
my way from Fort Gibson, in the Choctaw
nation, to Austin, Texas, met no obstruc>
ton until l crossed into Texas, where l was
robbed OF all had, including official papers,
the robbers permitting me to retain the horse,
as there was Il large U. 5. on his shoulder,
and of no use to them, aud would perhaps get
them into trouble. had not travelled far
through the bottom when | suddenly came
upon three horses hitched to a sapling, and
no one in sight. l did not turn back-was
well aware had been seen and to run would
look suspicious, and might get spilled out
of my saddle, so l kept on. As | neared the
horses second edition of Dick Turpin APP
peared, and with revolver levelled ordered
me to dismount. l complied with his re-
quest, at the time telling him he was several
hours too late, as l had been robbed early in
the morning, and after turning my pockets,
told me to so on. l obeyed; had proceeded
thirty SuTuS NLcu 1 Cdlle pun Two pCTSOuS
astride log playing cards. l halted neither
noticed me, or seemed to, being so interested
in the game. One of the party being dressed
decidedly better than the other, 1 concluded
he had been in better luck l rode nearer,
so near that l saw the game was "scvcn up"
The stake was gold watch, which was ex-
planned after the game was finished.
The well-dressed party had been caught,
like myself, and stripped of all his earthly
goods, had delivered his watch reluctantly,
telling the robber that he valued the watch
highly, not for its intrinsic worth, but that it
was keepsake. Its value was one hundred
dollars in gold, but he would give his note for
one hundred and fifty in gold, to be paid
upon presentation, or would send the money
or carry it himself to any point they would
designate, and would bind himself by an oath >
that the robbery should remain secret with
him, and the money should be forthcoming as
promised. After some conversation in Spanish
they granted his request and the note was
written with peucil and the oath admins.
tered, (all this had taken place previous to
my arrival still they showed some DISPOSE
ton to be treacherous, finally robber No. l
offered to play single game Of ''seven up
note against the watch-which proposition
was taken by the traveller, and the game COM
menced. As drew near the game stood thus:
Gentleman three, robber four, robber dealing
and turned Jack, max ing him five. Opponent
begged, robber gave him three cards, the hand
was played and Geuesce made high, low, jack
and game, and was declared victor. Robbcr
No = said he'd be ID if the gent WASH
entitled to the note. The traveller still said
he was willing to pay the note if they would
leave him his watch. This had good effect
upon them, and robber No. ., who seemed to
be the leader, declared he should not pay
id cent, but to go on, and if the case
was reported our lives should pay the forfeit.
We shall take our chances on that. We rode,
and one hour put ten miles between u.s. We
feared they might change their mind and
want the watch.
related the incident at Austin, and all
agreed it was too good joke to be kept, and
if you consider it worth publishing, you have
my permission. Yours, &c,
HENRY a. WATKINS,
Late of Rochester, n. Y.