The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-12
The Recent California Stage Robbery.


The Sacramento Union, of July 30 con-
tains the following particulars of the stage
robbery in Nevada county on the previous
Sunday:
When opposite Sheets ranch, about
five miles this side of Grass Valley, the
stage came to sudden halt. 1t was then
about lf-past o'clock in the evening.
Four men had suddenly stepped out from
among the rocks or bushes, each wearing
black mask, and levelling double bar
relied shotgun at the driver. Each was
observed to carry revolver in addition to
his gun. The stage was driven by Bob
Scott, who at first demurred to the propo-
sition to dismount. He was assured by
one of the robbers that they meant busi-
ness, and that there was no time to waste
in parleying, so Scott concluded to obey.
Two of the men stood at the horses heads,
and the other two paid their respects to
the passengers. At the suggestion Of the
other highwaymen, and through the per-
suasive power Of shotgun on each si6e of
the stage, the passengers all vacated the
stage.
There were in all thirteen passengers.
Among them Brigadier General Charles
Cadwalader, and, it is said, Senator A. A.
Sargent The passengers were directed to
sit down on the ground, and were arranged
in a row about thirty feet from the stage.
The only weapon in the stage was Der
niger pistol in the pocket of General Cad
walader. The officer was too good SOL
dier to give battle under the circumstances,
and did not expose his artillery to the
enemy.
"One of the robbers then took position
in front of the line with his gun leveled,
from which he could command one OF all
of the passengers, as necessity might re-
quire. He informed them that if they
remained quiet they would not be molest-
ed and their property would not be dis
turbed, but that it would be dangerous for
any one to make any demonstration of re-
sistance.
"The horses were unhitched from the
stage and taken a short distance from the
spot, while one man guarded the passen-
gers another held the horses, and the re-
manning two directed their attention to the
treasure in the stage. 1t is generally un-
derstood that of late years substantial iron
chests are constructed under the hind
seats Of all stages which are used to carry
Wells, Fargo q Company's express matter.
This fact the robbers of course knew, and
they came fully prepared for the emergency
having with them a supply Of both blast
ing and giant powder. They used both,
and put in blast which shivered the chest
to pieces knocking the lid through the
top of the stage and shattenng the stage
in other respects so as to almost destroy
the body. 1t is reported that the passen-
gers, sitting on the ground in such close
proximity to the stage, did not enjoy the
fireworks very much, but none of them
were injured by the blast. The robbers
new found it easy to secure all the treas
ure in the box. Having removed it to a
convenient distance they hitched up the
horses and loaded up the passengers and
told the driver to drive ON. The stage
moved forward and the highwaymen re-
manned where they were until space and
darkness hid them from view.
"The robbers secured So, 900 in coin con-
signed to the bankiug-house of T. Findley
Il Co. and several other sums consigned to
other parties in Grass Valley and Nevada.
1t is conceded by all that these additional
sums amounted to $1,000, and some re-
ports place them as high as $4,000. The
total amount carried off was not less
than $S, 600, and not more than $11, ,O00
The robbers were not only masked, but
they had their feet muffed with socks SO
as to prevent the officers from tracking
them, and especially from identifying them
by the footprints of their boots. Notwith-
standing this precaution the Sheriff and
officers had traced the robbers some dis
tance in the direction of Ophir Hill. They
found on the trail one mask, several car
tridges of giant powder, flask of blasting
powder and several percussion caps, all of
which had evidently been thrcwn away
Railroad Accident.
Chicago August 6,-0n the Chicago.