Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-09-04
Stage Robbery in California.
Senator Sargent Fallen AMONG Thieves
Ten Thousand Dollars in ICoin Stolen.

Ten Thousand Dollars in ICoin Stolen.
On the arrival of the east-bound train
from San Francisco and Sacramento at
Colfax, the stage started as usual for
Grass Valley and Nevada with load
of passengers and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s
treasure box. When opposite Sheets
ranch, the stage came to o sudden halt.
It was then about half past 7 o'clock in
the evening. Four men had suddenly
stepped out from among the rocks or
bushes, each wearing black mask and
levelling double barrelled shot gun at
the driver. Each was observed to car
ry revolver in addition to his gun.
The stagewas driven by Bob Scott, who
at first demurred to the proposition to
dismount. He was assured by one of
the robbers that they meant business,
and that there was no time to waste in
parleying. Scott concluded to dis
mount. 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 highway
man, and through the persuasive power
of a shot gun on each side of the stage,
the passengers all vacated the stage.
There were in all thirteen passengers.
Among them were Judge Mcfarland,
Brig Gen. Cadwalader and Senator A.
A. Sargent. The passengers were di-
rected to sit down on the ground, and
were arranged in row about thirty feet
from the stage. The only weapon in
the stage was Derringer pistol in the
pocket of Gen. Cadwalader. Some Of
the passengers say that with three or
four double-barrelled guns levelled at
person by men with black masks on
their faces, the most natural impulse
conceivable is to obey orders, and when
told to sit down they did just as they
were directed to do. One of the rob-
hers then took position in front of the
line with his gun levelled, from which
he could command one or all of the pas
sengers as necessity might require. He
informed them that if they remained
quiet they would not be molested, and
their property would not be disturbed,
but that it would be dangerous for any
one to make any demonstration or re-
sistance.
The horses were unhitcRed from the
stage and taken q short distance from
the spot. While one man guarded the
passengers another held the ehorses, and
the remaining two directed their atten-
tion to the treasure in the stage. 1t is
generally understood that of late years
substantial iron chests are constructed
under the hind seats of all stages which
are used to carry Wells, Fargo & Go. S
express matter. This fact the robbers
of course knew, and they came fully
prepared for the emergency, having
with them supply of both blasting
and giant powder. They used both,
and put in blast which shivered the
chest to pieces, knocked 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 passengers, sitting on the ground
in such close proximity to the stage, did
not enjoy the fireworks very much, but
none of them was injured by the blast.
The robbers now found it easy to Sc
cure all the treasure in the box. Hav-
ing 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 remained where
they were until space and darkness hid
them from view.
The robbers secured $1,000 in coin
and several other sums consigned to
other parties in Grass Valley and Ne
vada. 1t is conceded by all that these
additional sums amounted to 1000,
and some reports place them as high as
$4,000. The total amount carried of
was not less than $4,000 and not more
than $1,000.