The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-08-17
An 1D.FAsH1oNED STAGE RoBpHRY.

that stage robbery had taken place in
Nevada County on Sunday evening,
which resulted in the capture by the
highwaymen Of large sum Of money.
Although more than twenty.four hours
had elapsed last evening since the rob-
berry, but few points in the case had
been received by telegraph. We have,
however, received from private sources
the following details: On the arrival of
and this city Mt Colfax, the stage started
as usual for Grass Valley and Nevada
with load Of passengers and Wells,
Fargo L Co. 3 treasure. box. When on.
posite Sheets ranch, about fivo miles
this side of Grass Valley, the stage
came to sudden halt. It was then
about half.past o'clock in the evening.
Four men had suddenly stepped out
from among the rocks or bushes, each
wearing black mask, and leveling
doublc-b -barrelled shotgun at the driver.
Each was observed to carry revolver
in addition to his gun. The stage was
driven by Bob Scott, who ut first de-
murred to the proposition to dismount.
| Tie was assured by one Of the robbers
that they meant business, and that there
Was no time to waste in parleying.
Scott concluded to dismount fror his
seat. Two of tho men stood at the
horses heads, aud the other two paid
their respects to the passengers. At
the suggestion of the other highway
men, and through the persuasive power
OF shotgun on ench side of the stage
the passengers al vacated the stage
There were in all thirteen passengers
Among them were E. Black Ryan and
Judge Mcfarland, of this city, and
Brigadier-General Charles Calwalader,
formerly OF this city, but ut present a.
resident OF the Northern part OF the
State. We are also informed that Sena-
tor 4. a. Sargent Was among the mum
bcr.
He passed through this city on the
train ut noon, and, it is reported, was on
tn the st'go on the occasion referred to.
The passengers were directed to sit
down on the ground, and were arranged
IN row about thirty feet from the
stage. The only weapon in the stage
was Deringer pistol, in the pocket OF
General Cadwaladcr. That officer was
too good soldier to give battle under
the circumstances, and did not expose
his artillery to tho enemy. The horses
were unhitched from the stage and taken
short distance from the spot; while
one man guarded the passengers, an
other held the horses, and the remain
Ing two directed their attention to the
treasure in the stage. It is generally
understood that Of late years. substantial
iron chests are constructed under The
hind seats OF oil stages which are used to
carry Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express mat.
ter. This fact the robbers, of course,
knew, and they came fully prepared for
the emergency, having with them SUP.
Ply OF both blasting 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 shattering 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 fire works very much, but none Of
them we're injured by the blast. The
robbers now found it easy to secure all
the treasure in the box. Having re-
moved it to q convenient distance, they
hitched up the horses aud loaded up the
passengers, and toll the driver to drive
on. The stage mov.d forward, and the
ghwaymen remained where they were
until space and darkness hid them from
view. The robbers secured $1,000 in
coin. consigned to the banking house of
L. Findlcy i Co., and several other sums
consigned to other parties in Grass Val
ley and Nevada. It is conceded by NIL,
that these additional sums amounted to
81, 900, and some reports place them as
high rs $1,000. The total amount car
ricu of was not less than S., 600, aud
not moro than S11 ,00O. When the stage
reached Grass Valley, and the intcli-
gence OF tho robbery was disseminated,
q great deal OF feeling was, of course,
aroused. a number Of officers started
out in pursuit OF the robbers. We are
Informed by Frank G.. Ross, OF this city,
who came through from Grass Valley
yesterday morning, that the stage met
Sheriff Perrin on the road near the
scene OF the robbery. Perrin had two
men il custody at tho time, whom he
had arrested on suspicion. The robbers
were not only masked. but they had
their feet muilled with socks 50 MS 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 tue robbers some dis
tance in tho direction OF Ophir Lii.
They found on the trail ono mask, seyc.
raj cartridges of giant powder, flask of
blasting powder, and several norcnssion