Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-21
.LE S.. {, 1880.

of the opening, and became assured that the
stout leather had been cut with knife.
Here was discovery. I began to wish I
had taken a little more forethought before
leaving Danbury; but as knew making such
wishes was only waste Of time, quickly
gave it up and began to consider what had
better do under existing circumstances.
wasn't long in making up my mind upon a
few essential points. First, the man behind
me was villain second, he had cut open
the mail bag and robbed it of some valuable
matter-he must have known the money let
ters by their size and shape; third, he meant
to leave the stage on the first opportunity
and fourthly, he was prepared to shoot me if
l attempted to arrest or detain him.
I resolved these things over in my mind
and pretty soon thought of course to pur-
sue. knew that to get my hands safely
upon the rascal must take him wholly una
wares, and this I could not do while he was
behind me, for his eyes we're upon me all the
time, so | must resort to stratagem. Only a
little distance ahead was house, and an old
farmer named Lougee lived there; and di.
rectly before it huge snow bank stretched
across the road, through which track had
been cleared with shovels.
AS we approached the cot saw light in
the front room, as I felt confident should,
for the old man. generally sat up until the
stage went by. drove on, and when nearly
opposite the dwelling stood up, as | had
frequently done when approaching difficult
places. saw the snow bank ahead, and l
could distinguish the deep cut which had been
shoveled through it. urged my horses to a
good speed, and when near the bank forced
them into it.
One OF the runners mounted the edge OF
the bank, after which the other ran into the
cut, thus throwing the sleigh over about as
quickly as if lightning had struck it. My
passenger had not calculated on any such
movement and wasn't prepared for it; but |
had calculated and was prepared. He rolled
out in the deep snow, with heavy buffalo
robe about him, while alighted directly on
the top of him. I punched his head in the
snow and sang out for old Lougee. l did not
have to call a second time, for the farmer bad
come to the window to see me pass and as
soon as he saw my sleigh overturned he had
lighted his lantern and hurried out.
whats to pay ?" asked the old man, as
he came up.
Lead the horses into the track and then
come here," said
As l spoke partially loosened my hold
upon the villains throat, and he drew a pistol
from his bosom; and saw it in good season
and iammed his head into the snow again,
and l got it away from him.
By this time Lougee had led the horses out
and came back. and 1 explained the matter
to him in as few words as was possible.
We hauled the rascal out into the road, and
upon examination we found about twenty
packages of letters, which he had stolen from
the mail bag, and slowed away in his pocket.
He swore, threatened and prayed, but we
paid no attention to his blarney.
Lougee got some stout cord, and then, when
he had securely bound the villain, we tumbled
him into the pung.
| then asked the old man if he would &C.
company me to Littleton, and he said "Of
course, | will"
$50 he got his coat and muffler, and ere
long we started on. -.
l reached the end of my route with the
mail all safe, though not as snug as it might
have been. and the bags little the worse for
the trick that had been played upon them.
However, the mail robber was secure, and
within a week he was identified by some Off
GERS from Concord, as an old offender, and /
am inclined to the opinion that he is in the
State prison at the present time. At any
rate, he was there the last time I heard Of
him.
That is the only time I ever had any mail
trouble, and l think that under all the cir
cumstances, came out of it pretty well.