The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-30
THE NOKTHFIELD ROBBERS.


The mystery which has hung about
the two escaped Northfeld robbers has
never been cleared up fully, and doubt
less, never will be. Who they were, and
where they finally escaped, have been
subjects of pertinent inquiry never |
satisfactorily answered. The lips of Cole
Younger and his brothers have given
no sign regarding their identity, and |
the only thing known of them is that |
given by DIR. Mosher, of Sioux City, |
who accideutly fell into their clutches.
and narrowly escaped with his life. To
him only, during that long and desper- |
ate struggle for life through Minnesota |
and Iowa did they reveal themselves as
the Mortified robbers" confirming
their statements with actions which
proved the truth of their assertions. For
four mortal hours was the Doctor kept
in durance vile, and his experience and
observation during that time form the
fitting close to the most bold and daring
instance of robbery and murder ever
perpetraaed in the Northwest. 1t was
my privilege to hear the whole story of
this remarkable meeting from his lips
recently, and as there are many facts
connected with it which have never been
made public, their narration may prove
Of much interest to the readers Of the
Pioneer Press.
The occurrence took place on the
afternoon of Thursday, in the latter part
of the month of September, in the year
1876, more than year aud half ago.
The whole country was reused by the
story Of the great robbery, and intensely
interested in the efforts made for the
capture of the villains. They were
known to be heading toward Sioux City,
and the Sheriff, with numberof picked
men had gone out to intercept them
IL possible. 1t was rumored that they
had been seen at a point fifteen miles
up the Missouri, near Elk River, and
here the force was picketed, with a view
of preventing their crossing. At this
point the doctor received an urgent call
to visit a patient, dangerously i'll, who
lived thirty miles east of Sioux City.
The roads were muddy and bad owing
to recent rains, which rendered travel by
any other method than horseback riding
difficult; so he went to the livery stable
and engaged fine horse, which was well
equipped with good saddle and bride.
He left Sioux City about two o'clock in
the afternoon, had crossed the railway
station at little place called James,
and gone about half his distance when
he became in doubt as to his route, and
turned his horse toward German who
was at work half mile to the north
to ask directions. A half mile still
above him was the section line, where
was another road running into Sioux
City parallel to the one he had come out,
and to this he was directed. He took
a DIAGONAL course across the prairie
toward it, when he suddenly noticed two
men riding on horseback in the direction
Of Sioux City, and thinking they were
parties who owned land in the vicinity
and had come ont to work it, he deter
mined to ask for futher information
He turned his horse in direction to in
tercept them, and when within, perhaps
ten rods threw up one of his hands anC
shouted to them to Hold onln They
stopped at once and faced him, and HI
rode leisurely up to within few feet O
them. They were mounted, and III,
smaller Of the two men on a gray ant
the other on bay horse. The forme
was dressed in gray clothes, which wer
considerably soiled. had on a stripet
cotton or gingham shirt, with no collar
light felt hat and kip boots whicl
looked as though they had seen seriou
wear. He was a man of about five fee
eight or ten inches, well proportione,
and muscular, and would protabl'
weigh about one hundred and Fl t,
pounds. His hands were short, yet whit
and small, indicating that he was no
accustomed to physical labor. His eye
were either dark or gray; face rathe
squarely-built, hair sandy-brown, Will
his whiskers and mustache bore evidenc
of having been cut roughly off with
pair of shears. The latter had been lef
about a half an inch long, and afForde
a partial covering for a pair of firmly
set lips. There was about the man a
expression of intelligence, although hi
dress and appearance indicated har
travel.
The other man was mounted on a ba
horse, that was evidently suffering fror
hard driving. He was a tall, rathe
slender person, about six feet high; ha
on a pair of black pants; a snuf-colore
coat and vest, fine shirt made of ladie
cloth, black felt hat and fine cal
boots, the blacking all worn off by ev
dent travel through mud and wet gras
and torn with numerous holes by col
tact with brush or stones. His hanC
were white, long, and slender; face Ion
and thin; nose straight; eyes blue; ey
brows quite light in color, and light ais
in quantity; hair of a reddish cast, an
whiskers evidently trimmed, as had bee
his companions. His expression was j
the highest degree intelligent an
dignified, resembling" said the Do
tor, " the countenance of Presbyteria
ministerp Neither of the men had an
jewelry visible on them, excepting
gold collar-button worn by the latte
For a saddle he had bag stuffed wit
hay, while his comrade had only
blanket thrown over his horse.
The first words of inquiry made
the Doctor when he had reached the
were:
"Do you live about herep'
We do" was the answer.
Do you know family here by Il
name of Il. MannT
"We do"
"Where does he live" was the ne,
inquiry, and the answer was so vag,
and unsatisfactory that he was about
inquire further, when the direct que
tion was put to him:
Who are your
60 am DIR. Mosher, of Sioux City, an
& ! am going to visit patient. Are "
we are" was the response; "ci
you tell us anything about them ?'
In the innocency of his heart he i
formed them that they had been hea,
from fifteen miles up the river; that ii
Sheriff and large force were after ther
with strong possibility of their captuI
All the news that had been received
TO this date was related in detail to son
listenera- who had in the rneantin