Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1877-09-08
THE TYPO STAGE STOPPED.
One Of the Robbers Killed by w.,
f. & Co.'S Messenger.

W wv tlC 11diChh abu WV
stage was made by three highway
men. The attack was made at sta
tim about 40 miles from Eureka,
known MS the Willows. The robbers
had, an hour before the arriva. of the
stage, gagged the occupants Of the
station so they could not give the
alarm. On the arrival If the stage
they called on Eugene Blair, Wells,
Farg s. Co.'S messenger, to surren-
der, and on alightng from the box
with the driver, he MAS saluted with
discharge of shotguns from the
front and rear Of the stage. Blair
grasped the muzzle Of a shotgun Ms
it was thrust against his breast by
one Of the robbers and a desperate
struggle nnsued, when james Brown,
another messenger, jumped from the
stage and ended the struggle by
sending nine bucksh"t into the back
of the robber, telling him to the
ground. The messengers fired at the
robbers, but with what effect is not
known, rs they escaped in the dark
ness. Brown was shot through the
calf of the leg in the melee. In the
morning Blair, Brown and the
wounded rnbber started to Eureka
The robber died at s O'Clock in the
afternoon, before reaching town, only
saying his name was John Davis.
THE HIGHwAYMAN'S ANTEcEDENTs.
On the arrival Of the stage in Eu-
reka, at 7 o'clock last evening, says
the Sentinel OF the 9Th, the news
spread rapidly, and vast crowd
. ,thered arouad the coach. The body
was taken to the Sahw,mb's under
taking rooms. and us soon rs His face
WAS uncovered he was recognized by
half dozen men as a noted convict
and celebrated road agent. His
name Is JOHN Davis. In the early
history Of the State, and during the
first rush to the Comstock, he came
t, Virginia City from Sierra county,
California. He WAS man of fine
appearance, large stature, and WAS
well educated aud Intelligent. He
held the position OF mining recorder
of Flowerv district for some time,
and accumulated quite sum of
money, whi,.h he afterward gambled
away. FROM that time up till 1869
he was one of the leading spirits in
the many stage robberies that hap
pened in the vicinity Of Virginia and
Carson cities. During his residence
in Virginia City he leased a small
mill in Six-mile canyon, and the
plundered bullion procured from tina
many daring stage robberies on the
Geiger grade was taken to the mill
and remelted, and the gang, after
running the stamps on barren quartz,
would produce the stolen bullion and
claim it as the product of their re-
duction works. There were always
rich returns from tnat mill very soon
after successful stage robbery. 1t
was general Unknown among the Off
GERS thar he participated in these ex-
pioits, but he was shrewd enough to
evale the law. In 1869 the coast was
electrified by
ONE OF THE BoLDEsT RoBBERIEs IN
THE ANNALS OF CRIME.
A gang of highwaymen boarded
tie eastern bound express train at
Verdi, a station on the Central Pa
cite railroad, cut loose the engine
and express car, and compelled the
engineer to proceed at rafting
speed. Others Of the gang broke the
car open and plundered itof the coin
on board, AN u ,ting TO some $780,
900. The ny thea fed with the
spoiIs, but were aftcrvird appre-
nended, convicted of the crime and
sentenced t. long terms 10 the state
prison at Carson. Davis planned this
great robbery and was toe acknowl-
ed ged leader of troop. AT the time
of the noted break under Denver's
administration, he refused tn join in
il, holding alo"t from his fell prIs-
nners on that occasion. For his good
conduct ut that time, and by reason
OF strong pressure brought to bear
IN the pardoning board, lie was par
dnned some two years ago. He went
to Virginia City ana has worked IN
the Sierra Nevada and Justice mines
until about two months ago, when he
came to Eureka. He was seen IN
town four days ago, when he bought
shirt ut Ashim Brothers store and
inquired for letter at the express
office. He has evidently kept an eye
on the treasure shipments, aud was
aware that large amount of coin
had been shipped to Typo ON the Sd
Instant. A cor"ner's inquest will be
held on the body to-day, when fur
Their facts will be elected. Eugene
Blair is II shotgun and white mask
ahead, but is not hankering after anv
more ut the same price. DR.. Bishop
attended to Browns wound, aud he
was resting comfortably last evening
Ii ia VERY painful, but not dangerous.