Daily globe., 1879-10-12
Adventures With Road Agents.

Ola California stage-drlvers, in relat-
ing their experience of the past. ALWAYS
speak with pride and affection of the
'Placervllle route" which has been the
scene OF so many strange and startling
adventures. Indeed, the State is not,
even now, free from the ravages of ma
| rauding bands, who rob on the highway.
and would steal from a church. Many
daring robberies have been committed
on the Placerv1lle road, between Sacra-
mento, in the valley, and Placerville, in
the mountains, which was also made fa-
nous by "Greelys ride" A picture of
the coach, with Hank Monk on the box,
and Greely's venerable head bursting
through the top of the coach, now adorns
the walls Of the Ormsby house, in Car
son.
Some years ago, I was passenger on
one OF these coaches, and it happen
ed to be just at the time when stage
robberies were unusually frequent. We
had full list of passengers. but I was
the only lady among them. I was in
charge Of gentleman friend of the fami-
ly. who made such boasts of bravery that
it was confidently expected that I should
be safely delivered into the hands of my
father at Placerville. I had with me a
case of jewels (Which I may here state
no woman had any use of at that time).
and which [ intended to send by express,
but my valiant escort declared that the
express box, which would be on the same
coach, would be the first thing seized,
and I had Much better intrust them to
his care. He carried two rcvolvcrs and
knife, which he said he intended to use
in case Of an attack, and did not mean
to be robbed of anything, unless his life
was taken.
The stage-drivers never seemed to take
any interest in these little affairs. They
were unarmed, carried nothing Of value
about them, and simply halted when
commanded, and drove on when ordered
to do so. Their discretion was certainly
commendable, as resistance was useless,
and if they aid not loose their lives then,
they would certainly be assasinated If
they attempted another trip. These trips
are made with no stoppases, except for a
change of horses and drivers, and for
meals. Six horses were used and mad
gallop the only gait. The first night out
there was no apprehension, as we were
not yet on dangerous ground, and the
passengers dozed and chatted, and CON-
planned of the rough road, and, altogeth-
er, managed to pass the night as COM
fortably as could be expected under the
circumstances.
AS darkness closed in on the second
evening, the passengers examined their
arms and decided not to sleep, but keep
on the lookout. The horses must have
kept the road from instinct, for the dark
ness was almost Egyptian in density
when suddenly, with a swerve that al
most upset the coach, they came to full
stop. Though we had heard no word of
command, the inside was Immediately in
a state of confusion, supposing it to be
road agents, and my valiant protector
hastily transferred the jewel-case to me,
along with his own watch and purse, say
ing they would be much safer in my pos
session. This, scarcely occupied mo-
ment's time, when the driver called out
that it was only a fallen tree, and he
would have to find some way Of getting
around it; and if that could be doue, the
passengers would have to assist in cut
ting it away, axes being slowed away un-
der the seats, in anticipation of accidents
of that kind, which frequently occur.
We heard the driver climbing down
from his perch, and as he struck the
ground he uttered smothered exclama-
ton, and at the same moment, in clear,
commanding tone, came the order, "Hold
up your hands, gentlemen!' and each
side of the coach bristled with the bar
rels Of shot-guns. It is needless to say
that the order was instantly obeyed. They |
"went through the party in much less
time than I can relate it, and in the
meantime sat paralyzed in the corner
with my valuables in full view. At last,
with an effort, handed them toward the
leader, who was keeping my escort 'scov-
ered." He held his revolver with his
right hand, and with the left politely
raised his hat, saying, "Miss, you wrong
me; never accept any thing from lady"
The driver was then allowed to resume
his seat, and those who were holding the
horses showed the way around the tree,
which had been felled for the purpose,
and, while the coach was still kept ''coy-
ered," the order was; given, "Drive on,
and don't look back!'' which order was
strictly and promptly obeyed. Our pas