Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-02-28
THE EXPRESS ROBBERY.

piiutct Iast iiuaN tuc ailiCuidiS VI
tho confession Of Pagan and Budlong
were received. 1t appears from the
published accounts that during the
progress Of the preliminary cxaniina-
ton of the Young man Budlong, there
were strong suspicious entertained by
several parties, especially by the coun-
sci for the Express Company, that Mr..
Pagan, the Geographic operator and
express agent at kalama, was in some
manner connected with the robbery.
These suspicious were predicated on the
character of the evidence given by Fa-
gan, his manner of testifying, and other
circumstances. Throughout, in his tes-
timony, Pagan sought to favor in every
way possible, the prisoner. Several
times his evidence was plainly and
pointclly contradictory, and he could
have been impeached had either side so
desired. Pagan appeared rs witness
in behalf of Budlong, and for that rea-
son counsel on opposite sides had no
interest in impeaching his testimony.
Not among the least suspicious part of
Fagan's conduct, was his actions to-
ward Budlong during the long and te-
dious trial. During the six days while
the examination was in progress, Pagan
was observed to hardly ever exchange a
word with his friend. There seemed to
be studied indifference between these
two young men which was remarkable,
and noticed at the time. Suspicious
thus directed toward Pagan caused him
to be narrowly watched, as well as Bud
long. Matters were quietly " worked
up and the guilty parties ascertained
to such degree of certainty that when
the examination was resumed on the
second day, Badlong and Pagan both
" made clean breast" of the robbery.
In their confession, Clark 7. Morris,
Freight and Ticket Agent, Pacific Divis-
ion of the Northern Pacific Railroad,
was seriously implicated in the affair.
1t appears that secret understanding,
or sort of conspiracy existed between
the three parties-Budlong, Pagan and
Morris to rob the treasure-box of the
express the first favorable opportunity
which presented. This arrangement
had been made some time, and the first
chance which presented to make
good haul" was embraced with alac-
rity. Pagan, as agent, was in position
to know just when large sums of money
passed through the Office. He had, on
this occasion, appraised BudlonS of the
5000 in currency, and afforded the lat
ter person every facility in his power to
rob the box. Morris is charged with
having been party to the compact,
counseled, aided and advised the COM
mission of the robbery. These parties,
in their confession, admit that Morris
made or assisted in making the lead key
with which the box was opened, and Il
portion of which was found in the car
after the robbery. At present Morris is
East, having gone thither some time
since. According to the confession the
boot containing the money was thrown
under Mr.. Curtis house by Budlong,
with the understan ding that Pagan was
to take it away. However, both parties
were SO closely watched that they did
not dare TO touch it.
The rediculously low amount at which
the bail has been fixed, 81 900, indicates
that the committing magistrates were
either influenced by an outside pressure
brought to bear through the influential
connections of two of the parties, or
that they had but partial idea of the
enormity of the offence they were try
ing. The robbery was deliberately
planned and executed with GOODNESS
unsurpassed by adopts at the business.
No remorse of conscience appears to
have followed the act, nor was there
any prospect OF a voluntary restitution
of their ill-gotten plumber. The econ
fession" was only made when it was
believed that the meshes of the law
were so firmly bound about them that
escape was impossible. It is humil-
iating spectacle to witness the weakness
of those entrusted with an execution of
a duty when it clashes with the interests
or wishes of those welding little brief
authority. Pagan may thank his lucky
stars that he is the nephew of his uncle,
and Budlong that he had fortunate
a rogue for his pal.