The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-02-13
The Naaii Robbery i'm North
Louisiana.
HOW II WAS DoNE-cooL PROCEEDINGS.

fODDef16S ever committed In this cOun-
try was done near Arcadia, Louisiana
on the eighth of January. The facts as
gathered are about as follows, and are
perhaps more reliable than any version
of the deed that we have noticed. Our
information is gathered from Mr.. j. R.
Jolly, special agent Of the Postofice
department., who has just returned
from Investigating the affair.
mail stages leaving Monroe and Shreve-
tween the two towns being 40 miles.
The road travelled is the main public
road, and the coaches being drawn by
four horses each, and large and cOmmo-
dious, it causes a large travel of per-
sons over the line. The coach bound
for Monroe ON the seventh instant had
proceeded to within about three miles
OF Arcadia, Bienville parish, on the
eighth, and while descending hill a
person disguised with a handkerchief
over portion of his face, sprang in
front Of the horses in the lead, and
bringing a dOuble-h -harrelled shotgun,
cooked, to bear ON the driver, deman-
ded him to stop the stage, which was
done, as the driver remarked that he
could almost see the bottom of both
barrels of the gun," owing to the direc-
tion it was pointed. At the same mo-
ment two of the robbers standing unob-
served behind the pine trees sprang to
one side of the stage, while two more,
secreted behind fallen trees, imme-
diately jumped to the other side, and
the four having large revolvers in each
of their hands, demanded the passeng-
ers, five in number, to surrender their
weapons. One revolver and two der
ringers were recovered by the robbers,
after which the passengers were re-
quested to get out of the stage one at q
time. On alighting he was compelled
to raise both arms and submit to the
very unpleasant proceedings of having
his person searched for money or other
valuables. This performance was gone
through with until all Of them had been
relieved, as the highhwaymen supposed,
OF their wealth, when they we're polite
ly requested to be seated in row, and
he quiet and obedient captives. The
recovered was S700 from the
passengers, but the robbers returned
90 each to three of them, and $40 each
to the other two. But one of the $40
notes was given in payment of the
revolver. A request to
strip and search one of the victims was
suggested, and he Immediately COM
pulling off his clothing, at the
same time telling the robbers that it
was rather hard to take all Of his money
and then force him to disrObe. His ex-
trene willingness seemed to convince
them that he possessed no more shekels,
and they permitted him to again fall in
line, without further investigation,
which was fortunate for the weary
as he delivered to the post
master at Arcadia, afterward, q belt,
taken from around his body, which
contained $500 in gold. His apparent
to be thoroughly searched,
had satisfied the robbers he had no
money, otherwise he would have lost
all. s -. s... ~. ..---. ~
Having settled with the passengers
the mail bags were taken out, cut ODen,
the letters were carefully tern open,
read and afterward replaced in a pouch
and thrown on the stage. Many drafts
were found in the letters, but one of
the highwaymen remarked, they did
not desire to be bothered with them,
md only few we're taken. No regis.
tered valuable letters were i'm tho mail,
rs the postmaster at Shreveport, on
that morning, was sick and fortunately
lid not place the registered matter in
the pouch. They then stated they
wanted some late papers to peruse, and 4
quitting open sack containing latest
papers helped themselves. = ~
At this juncture an old resident of
jhe parish came riding up ON a mule
and leading another one. Immediately
he robbers accused him of stealing the
mule, and so foreible was their argu-
nent that the old gentleman became of
The opinion that he had stolen the
iuadruped. After having their sport
1t his expense, and undoubtedly think
ng him an honest faPmer. perhaps
srangeFs he, was politely requested to
iisMouIlt and take q seat In the same
ben with the relieved passengers. g..
This operation lasting about ono
lour, the other stage was heard ap-
as the attack was made at or
lear a point where they usually pass
me another. When in sight it. was
lalted in a similar manner, and the
trlver was permitted to gaze into the
0arrels OF the shotgun for @ moment.
There being no passengers in the
'Oach, the mails were robbed, but no
Ialuable registered letters were found.
having finished their mission, both
tages with the .plucked passengers
we're started on their routes, and the
obbed, was permitted to take his mules
md journey on. The, robbers then
DOLLY went into the woodsa few rods,
mounted their fine horses, and quietly
t0le away. .s.s.. + ..r..
They were thoroughly organized and |
disciplined. All the funds captured
we're Immediately handed to their cap
ain, who appeared to be their cashier.
{ is not known where the band was
rom, but the supposition is they came
'ver from Texas, as it is positive none
Il them were citizens of that section
# country. Neither of the coaches
we're moved out of the main road dur
ng the robbery, and mono of the pas
engers were in the least molested
'odily, although. greatly excited. The
0bbePy occurred about twelve o'clock
A., on the eighth, and the country sur
ounding the field of action is consider
tbly populated. s. E.a. as..4x
On receiving the intelligence of the
0bbery a party from Arcadia proceeded
q search of the highwaymen, hut failed
O oOYertake them, as telegraphic COM
nunieation was avoided. Two persons
we're arrested on suspicion, but proved
heir innocence clearly and were re-
eased. The robbers were last heard
rom fourteen miles north of Homer,
nd still pushing Morthward, The re-
ent rabhery at Hot Springs, Arkansas,
vas done by the same five persons, un-
loubtedly, and we may expect to hear
rom them in other localities, commit
ing like depredations.
8sa------------- As4tsz
An embryo poet, who is certainly
lose observer of human nature, re-
marks: Time marches on with the
low, measured tread of q man working
~ the day. @