Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-09-25
HOT SPRINGS.
Statement from DIR. p. Q, Jones, of this
city, as TO the Robbery by the
Gad's Hill Highwaymen.
The Masonic Sign Saves Watches. bat
BOt MOney-Eyery Effort Being
Made &c Ksnnt Down the
Robbers.

Hot SPRINGS, September every
much has been published cOncerning the re-
cent highway robbery, the second or third,
believe, in the history OF this place. This and
previous rObbeTies, here and elsewhere, have
been perpetrated by parties coming long
way fer the purpose. In the last Instance
tEey took the best horses in the train and LETT
their jaded and worn ponies, and put out for
the far west. They have already been fol-
lowed over a hundred miles up 10 latest ad
vices. Their GOODNESS and deltberateness in
all they do show their thorough training TO
their business, no military company being
better drilled. They halted the coaches in de-
tail, and with drawn pistols on each side,
gave the order "hold your hands over your
heads, and get out" Then each man YVES dis
armed ana set down in row, and so was eac n
hack treated as it arrived on the spot, The
lights OF the preceding hack being extin-
guished, 50 as TO insure the sue
ceeding one 70 come into the trap,
disarmed and set in the row, they methodtcal-
" went through the row, searching each man,
but discovering in an instant If any man at
tempted TO lower his hands. In the coach
with myself was a man of my name, from
whom they took two gold watches. As mine
was returned 70 me under circumstances
which indicated that the r0bber returning il
depired 10 be understood as recognizing Ma
sonic obligations, e may not be amiss to detail
them briefly, especially as your regular CORE
spondent at this place was misled as TO the
facts. / had entered into conversation with
the party searching me, and was telling Aim
that the watch had been worn by me long
take the chain, which was new, unique and
very valuable, and return me the watch, when
another party, whom l regarded as the
chief or the clan, stepped up
and took the keystone IN his fingers
and promptly ordered the watch returned TO
me, without being asked 10 do so. He then
started OF, but after going a few steps return
ed and ordered the party searching me "to
take nothing from that man" supposed al
the time, and yet suppose, that the chief de-
signed impressing me with the idea that he
was a Mason, but gave no sign, nor would
think OF giving a highway roDber sign
There was Mason in the party, however,
who. seeing the chiefs conduct toward my
sell, gave him a sign and asked Tor his money
to be returned MIN. The sign was returned,
but the applicant quietly told him That
money is business with us, and we never re-
turn it." Apparently every possible effort Is
being made 10 catch the robbers. several par
ties have started out for that purpose, but
doubtless the robbers are well acquainted
with the topography OF the country, an have
all the facilities necessary 20 insure their es-
cane. The circumstance seems to have seri'
ously and almost Immediately TO have erect
ed travel TO the springs. But why should II
do SO? Those marauders from long distance
II not caught Will not soon return TO repeal
the experiment, pressed as they have been Ue
get away safely in the present instance:
7. y. JONES.