Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-17
ROAD AGENTS.
The Recent Murder and Attempted
Stage Robbery in Arizona.
LATER INTERESTING DETAILS
Gallant and Cool Action of Wells
Fargo G Co.'s Detective


Tucson, March 16th.-There is great
excitement here over the stage robbery last
night at Benson, and the later particulars
are very interesting. Detective r. ii. Paul
was on the box with the driver at the time,
and his double-barreled Winchester rested by
his side. 1t is believed that
THE COW. BOYS WERE COMPLETELY SURPRISED
To find Paul upon the stage, as no two of
them would attempt TO tackle Paul. At the
first word, Hold J" Paul coolly reached for
his gun, exclaining. "By God hold for
nobody" 1t is a question who fired first,
Paul or the robbers but the crack of the
rifles was almost simultaneous, frightening
the leaders into a run. Paul emptied both
barrels of his gun, and also his revolver,
while the stage was rafting along as fast as
the horses could haul it. The driver had
fallen dead from the box, and passenger
who was upon the box was dying
with a mortal wound. As soon as
Paul could regain the lines that
had fallen from the hands Of Bud Philpot,
who was shot through the heart, he drove on
and transferred Wells, Fargo & Co.'s box
and the United States mail intact to J. d.
Kinnear, the agent of the line at Benson,
and the frightened passengers were sent
through to Tombstone. Paul then started
back, accompanied by four men, to the scene
of the attack. Later particulars are awaited
here with great interest. 1t is well known
that
VIGILANCE COMMITTEE
Was lately formed at Tombstone, backed by
all the money necessary, to take these par
ties in hand and teach them lesson. Those
acquainted with the cowboys, however,
stoutly aver that had they known Paul was
upon the stage no attempt would have been
made upon it. Assistant Superintendent
Rowell, of Wells, Fargo Il Co., was lately in
Arizona, but was seized with malarial rheu-
matism and compelled to return to San Fran
cisco sooner than intended. 1t is unknown
what were the consultations between this
officer and detective Paul, but ever since the
latter has been detailed to supervise the
Tombstone route, and the result shows that
such precaution was necessary. Paul has
since been with Wells, Fargo's treasure-box
every trip. The Anglo-C California Bank
lately shipped very heavy treasure to their
Tombstone correspondents, which the COM
pany alleged as the reason for the extra pre-
caution but it is believed that detective
Paul, becoming aware of the secret intention
of the cowboys to attack the stage at favor
able moment. brought Mr. Rowell here in
haste, and even in i'll health, to help thwart
their plans. The occurrence last night con-
clusively proves that Wells, Fargo's officers
have been well advised, and were well pre-
pared to defend their treasure box. Further
particulars from Paul are anxiously awaited
PASSENGERS STATEMENT.
Tucson, March 16th.-One of the passen-
gers on the stage when attacked last night has
arrived, and states that four men made the
attack. The word I" Hold !" and two shots
were simultaneous. One of the robbers was
seen 20 reel and fall after detective Paul first
fired. Roerig, who was on top of the stage.
was shot as the horses were dashing away
from the robbers. He bled to death shortly
after arriving at Benson. Roerig was a
mining man from Denver, formerly of Wis
cousin. There were twelve shots fred by the
robbers. Nothing has been heard from Paul
since he returned to the scene of the attack
last night.