Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-11-15
@beAias Register
FRONTIER life.
The Story Of a Daring Robbery ia
Colorado.
NJ. Nelson Franklin Tells a Newspaper Man
How a Daring Robbery was Con-
mitted---How Three Men Plan
the RO6bey---A Hat and
What il Led 70.
DasrMr-,

DsaSsr N7~A
The following characteristic story of
frontier life was told the reporter of the
News by Mr.. Nelson Franklin, who is in the
city, and who has lived for the past two
wears in Silvertou and other towns and
camps in Southern Colorado:
"A daring robbery had been committed.
The officials Of a welLknowR banking insti-
tuition in atown in Southern Colorado, upon
reaching the building one morning, dis
covered that a side door had been broken
open, the fastening Of an inner door forced,
and the safe containing the banks yalua-
bles drilled and blown, aud relieved of its
contents. A careful scarf, of the premises
revealed the body OF the Waterman in an
adjoining vacant lot pierced with knife
wounds, and covered with bruises, showing
the evidences o! a struggle, aud that more
than one person was engaged in the muir
der and robbery. Soon the whole eommun-
ity Vas aroused, and the sheriff, with a posse
Charmed and mounted men, was ready to
start on the trail Of the murderers. But
who we're they, and where could thew be
found, were questions easier to ask than to
answer.
On the floor Of the banking room was
found q large-brimmed sombrero, decorated
with peculiar ~spangles, and which several
citizens identified as having been worn by
one OF the three strangers who came into
towP the afternoon before, and had been
drinking at several saloons during the even,
ing. \ tolerably fair description of these
men was obtained, also the information
given By a ranchman who came into town
during the morning that three mea answer
ing the description. armed and mounted on
powerful horses, had passed him while on
his way in about daylight, going south at a
rapid rate. evidently on their way to New
Mexico.
Upon hearing the rsnchmans story the
cheers separated into three squads, and
started OIL well equipped for an encounter.
Every trail over the mountain was ex-
amined and every possible clue followed for
several days, but to no purpose. The bank
officials, mayor Of the town and Governor
ofthe State offered rewards for the capture
Of the m~iscreants, which in the aggregate
amounted TO several thousands of dollars.
This induced a large number OF determined
and brave men to Join in the pursuit, which
was prosecuted for more than a week with
out result.
Finally one Of these parties, composed
of three Of the best frontierSmen in the
country, came suddenly upon the fugiives
in a rocky canon in the tastness OF the
Needle mountains shortly after daYbreak,
Just as they were making preparations for
a rude breakfast. Calling upon them to
surrender, they were answered BY a yolley
o. shots, which were at once returned. The
battle being one Of life or death, the firing
lasted Some minutes without result, when
ozeofthe desperadoes fell mortally wounded.
TIE others, apparently a man and a boy,
: heltup the firing until their ammunition
vas exhausted. when they were compelled
p~erlorce to surrender. They were taken
back TO the camp or main rendezvous Of the
pursuing party, together with the body OF
,be dead man. There it was proposed TO
I Inch the survivors, when q singular thing
happened. The boy, who appeared 20 be
/ lot over eighteen years Of aye, and OF fair
! complexion and long hair, addressed the as
sem6lage about as follows: Gentlemen, !
; SUPPOSE We have not long to live, out before
YOU carry vOur purpose into execution allow
me e. say that this man was innocent OF
any completely in the murder, but that the
man who is dead and myself killed him,
and your vengeance should fall upon ma,
the only guilty one living.
The clear, musical, pleading voice, the
long hair streaming in the wind, and the
bright. sparkling eyes, which glowed with
animation, and were suffused with tears
during the appeal, produced an impression
upon these rough men for which they at the
time could not account. At the conclu-
sion, however. the other prisoner suddenly
started up and said: Gentlemen, don't be-
lieye the story told yoa. This is. my wife,
who, from her devotion tounworthy me, has
accompanied me in all my wanderings,
dressed in the gsrb OF a man. She has in
many desperate encounters saved my life,
and, although dehcstely reared, has shared
in all the hardships, dangers and privstions
of nv rough life, and not only had no share
in the transactions of that evening, but
would have prevented them could she have
done so. Don't believe her; she would
save my lite at the expense of her own.'
This streak of ms6lnesS in a nature so
apparently mean, rather staggered the men
in their. intentions for a few moments, but
presently some of the leaders, remembering
their purpose, ordered that preparations
should at once be made for the hanging OF
the man. Suddenly the woman sprang up
ike atigress about to be deprived OF her
young, and Snstching a pistol from the belt
of one of the men. defed them to hang her
husband; then, in another spirit she
fell on her knees and piteously prayed
| the stern men before her to spare
her love, her life. The appeal was most
piteous and affecting, and at its close she
| fell into a dead swoon. Carrying her to one
side, the CHASTITY preparations were soon
completed. and but a few minutes later the
body of John Maitland was swinging in mid,
air, and the punishment OF the cruel crime
which had been committed was complete.
| The wife was conveyed to town, and after
lowering between life and death for weeks,
finally recovered sufficiently to be sent home
\ TO her friends in the east, who proved 10 be
"