Arizona citizen., 1878-08-02
Bold Stage Robbery.

This editor has frequently read of the daring deeds of fierce highway men and several times within the last six months it has been necessary for us 10 describe the bold operations of these desperadoes, but never until day before yesterday have we had the good fortune to witness the mOdus operandi by which these members of the shot gun gentry extract the valuables from a stage coach and passengers by the simple but magical persuasive power of cold lead.
 The stage left Tucson on Wednes- day at o'clock p. m, the usual hour, Authur Hill was driver and VeteriR- ary Surgeon Wheatley, J. r. Cum and one Chinaman were passengers. The ranch at Point of Mountain, eighteen miles from Tucson, was reahced at about 5. p. m-. light rain was fall ing and our party was corresponding ly happy. About ten minutes later we struck the sand at the Point of the Mountain and our horses took slow yak Suddenly some one accOsted he driver in rather harsh tones to which he made some reply and stop ped the coach, but before we could imagine the cause or suspect anything serious a tall form in mask appeared at the left. side of the coach and GOV ering us with a Spencer rife and six shooter commanded us not to move at tbe peril of our lives. THE CITIZEN reporter had a pistol but it lay on the floor of the coach. Mir. Wheatly had one also, but twas on the seat under a blanket. The attack was in open daylight and SO unexpected that we were wholly unprepared, and once un- der the cover of his arms we were quite willing to obey his commands. He remarked, "The first one that moves I'll kill deader than h-l; you may get me but I'll get some of you first and I'd just as soon die as not" He then ordered out the express box and two mail sacks, which orders were promptly executed by driver Hill; he next requested the Heather to disgorge his loose change, which amounted in all to six dollars. Then with exquisite grace he leveled his rife on this editorial innocent and demanded tbe net profits of THE CITIZEN office since its location in Florence. Three Mex jeans dollars was the best showing we could make and upon these we refused to allow any discount. The bold rob Der was finally induced to accept this humble contribution as our best effort and the range Of his battery was changed so as to cover Surgeon Wheat ley's manly form. This was more agreeable to us but less comfortable Tor Whealley. The effect of this change of range was an involuntary conTibu- ton from Whestley of S26. After the collection had been taken the robber remarked that some one in our party looked like a sick man" No doubt he was correct, whoever he intended 10 address. After scaning the coach
 ma moment he ordered us to drive on
 hich order we found it quite con veAjent to obey, and just as we started this persuasiYe wayfarer extended very polite invitation for us to come back and fight him as soon as we felt disposed to do so. We were soon be- yond the reach of our arbitrary visitor and felt less need of the life insurance companies that we had a few moments previous. Having no guns we con- cluded to go on to Desert Station, seven miles distant and report.
 We have some causes for selfcon- tratulation as we wore on our person a watch and chain which represents to us $225. The chain was exposed on our right side but passed unobserved by the rObber.
 We learn by dispatches from Tucson that the express box was empty and there was nothing of great value in the mails, hence as he only obtained $37 from the passengers his booty was small and he will no doubt feel it nee essary. to rob another coach soon, pas sengers and officers should be cores pondingly careful.