The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-07-20
Selected Story.
4 Mysterious Passenger.

| Many Christmas has come aad gone
aimee the dreadful occurrence / am about
TO relate took place, and which is most
painfully impressed on my memory, having
been one of the passengers by the Cork
mail to Dublin on Christmas night in the
year l8-, and witness to all that occur
red on that dreadful occasion. The country
at the time was much disturbed, the 1.-THE
warfare was at its height, robberies ofarms
wherever to be met with took place in the
open day. Since the year 1898, the
! peasantry did not seem to have such a
| desire to possess arms. Attacks on mail
coaches were of frequent occurrence, and
the one am about to relate was the worst
Of all. Business Of Importance connected
with my military career obliged me to ap-
peag in the metropolis on the following
day. The weather was intensely cold, and
having secured an inside place, we started
on Christmas night By the mail from
Cork to Dublin, escorted by two Dragons,
! who were ~rg4ierad At different stations
along tbs road. There were two iaside
passengers along with me-one was
evidently gentleman; the appearance Of
the other rather puzzled me as to his cal
ling. He wore q long frieze coat, a Belcher
handkerchief round his neck, and top
boots. His general appearance was not
prepossessing. He never spoke from our
departure from Cork until. we passed
Cashel, when he said, "Oh, gentlemen, are
you afraid know I am. This is bad
spot we are now passing. Are you armed |
Do you think the dragons would show
fight! Dear me, am so afraid | can
not stay here any longer; have friend
near this" So saying, he called to the
guard. The driver pulled up, and he got
out We felt kind of relief at his
departure, and after circumstances induced
us to believe thathe was deeply concerned
in what occurred. About two miles from
Cashel, going along at a good space, and
just turning a sharp curve in the road, the
leaders came full chest against barrier,
and fell at once. The b rrier was composed
of carts, large stones, turf creels, and the
trunk of large tree. The coachman,
although the night was very dark, might
have pulled up in time if on level, but
the obstruction was cunningly placed just
beyond the turn, that it could not be DONE
The shock was very great; SO much so, l
that we thought for moment that the q
coach would go over. Immediately the .
nature of the obstruction was fully seen, T
and no assailants making their appear. c
ance, the two unfortunate dragons dis 7
mounted, and proceeded to remove it. The :
arSt had scarcely laid his hand on cart c
Tor that purpose, when from behind the L
'Fank Of fallen tree, and about two yards 6
distant, blunderbuss was discharged at ii
alm' The heavy charge Of slugs, pieces D
y Old iron, ETC., passed through the un- 2
,OrIOnate mans body like four-pound
0ail, and he fell dead instantly; his com le
ale, who was also wounded, Immediately e
afea his holster pistols amongst. the assas- y
"0S, several of whom suddenly sprang up le
aao made rush. The soldier, who was 81
immediately knocked down, was ably g
seconded by the guard with his bullmouth. N
% 0!anderbuss, which being heavily load, y
81 WIN swan-drops, brought three OF the ia
'''sllants to the ground. Enraged at the of
It sOss OF their companions, the rufiaus now 81
1's0 Unfortunately, killing an outside q
sasSfnger and severely wounding the 81
s.I'eI' One ofthe wheelers also received re
!. '"'' IN the shoulder, and the poor driver ";
luE helpless across the seat having no So
.0a''ol over him, he lashed out with the eh
greatest fury, severely injuring tie Other as
so'se , the guard was dreadfully beaten, pl'
~ n.y. 's'1 Tor dead he, however, recovered,
4. was never afterwards able to resume ac
r.. Su''es, but received good pension. ms
l. Il wounded dragoon was Knocked down Of
!. I D'o# On the head, which rendered him ma
s.s. 'SuS'Ole, and It is supposed that the as. po
na ,s'as' thinking him dead, had Ut the va
s'''Sa' TOO much on their hands to notice .To