Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-18
A FAMOUS TRAIN ROBBERY.
sree Story of the GreatTreasure Raid
at Verdi, New.
FROM che psrotnto city 0ArontcEe,

FROM che ptyuSat0 CITY ChronfcLe,
HI. Souires, the ringleader OF the gang
.bor robbed the overland express east OF
verdi in 1872, is now travelling agent for a
srm in sacramento, dealing extensively
An lamps. Squipes recently visited this
t~i,v AZ agent far the sale OF coal oil
ssmp and burner Of a new pattern. One
evening during his stay on the Comstock,
IN the course OF conversation WIN
Thronicle representative, he related the
following interesting narrative OF the cir
cmmstances which led to the robbery, and
OF the robbery itself:
He was residing Ia Flowery district at
4be time the robbery was planned, and
was a partner OF the late Jack Davis in
several mines. They had exhausted their
money in prospecting, and 1t was neces-
sary to resort to strategy to raise more to
develop their property, which Squires to-
dav maintains contains untold wealth,
needing only coin to uncover 1t. Davis
had the reputation OF having been inter-
ested in several stage robberies prior to
pntering into cOpartnership with Squires,
hut up to the time of the train robbery
souires says he was never connected in
any manner with dishonorable transac-
tons.
AS staging in this part OF Nevada was
nearly at an end at that time, 1t was sug-
gested by Davis that they put up job to
stop the overland express train on the
Central Pacific and rob Wells-Fargo's
car. After several consultations it was
decided to resort to that means to replen-
ish their depleted exchequer. In order to
successfully carry out their plans 1t was
necessary to take in several accomplices.
Three men let into the secret had friends
in another gang, who had also been ar
ranging train robbery.
Three of this gang were taken in in or
der 10 keep them from giving the business
away, which they might have done had
they been kept out. Among these was
Gilchrist, who atrerward turned States
evidence.
squires was selected to lay the plan for
the robbery, and was unanimously chosen
leader of the gang. After careful SUI
Ney Of the situation he decided upon the
quarry sidetrack at Henter's crossing 0
the Truckee river, tour miles west o.
Reno, as the most eligible place for com
hitting the robbery.
Verdi at that time was the meeting and,
passing point OF the east and west-bound
overland express trains, they both being
due there shortly after midnight.
SQuires went to San Francisco and
spent several weeks in ascertaining the
amount of coin shipped by Wells, Fargo
Co., and he says that he knew to a dime
every day the exact sum that left the
office in that city on the overland express.
The night of the robbery the gang, which
had been concealed in the timber in the
hills back of Verdi, assembled at the sta
ton short time prior to the arrival of
the express train from San francisco, and
Just as the conductor signalled the engi-
neer to pull out of the station, Squires
and four of his men stepped upon the
platform between the baggage and ex-
press cars, and Davis, Parsons and an
other man got aboard on the platform Of
the mail car, next to the locomotive ten
der, and, climbing into the cab of the
engine, covered the engineer and fireman
with shOtguns and ordered them to keep
quiet and obey orders.
Meanwhile SQuires and his men had
been observed to step on the forward plat
form of the baggage car, and brakeman,
thinking they were tramps, followed b,
them and ordered them of Just as the
train started. SQuires quietly dropped
the brakeman on the ground from the op-
posite side Of the train while il was In
motion.
Meanwhile the conductor, baggagemas-
ter and brakeman opened the forward !
dOOr OF the baggage car to see who was on
the platform, but were ordered to close it
by Squires, who held the muzzle OF shot
gun in dangerous proximity to the heads
OF the employees, remarking as he cooked
the weapon that too strong a draft came
through the open door.
After the train had got about three
miles east OF Verdi SQuires cut the bell
cord and pulled the pin between the bag
gage and express cars ana the engineer
was ordered to pull out for the quarry
side-track.
up TO this time the robbers were not
aware mat the west bound train was be-
hind time, but thought it had passed at |
Verdi. On arriving at the switch the
engine and the two cars were side-track- !
ed, and Wells-FargO's messenger opening {
the door to see what was the matter found !
MS person covered with three shotguns.
tie was ordered TO throw up his hands, !
and Squres and three OF his companions |
entered the car, and after securing the |
messenger proceeded to remove the coin |
ron the safe. They got away with $780,
900 altogether. Pending the removal of |
Inc coin from the express car the mail |
agents We're summoned TO the door of |
t1e'r car and covered with guns until
after it was accomplished. The coin was
put In sacks, slung across the backs of |
horses ready saddIed, and when the sig
nal was given the gang mounted and rode
rapidly away across the bridge in the di-
Fectlon OF this city.
AItac the west-b0und train came along
ana the eastbound was backed up to
'eful, the gang recrOssed the bridge and
pW0uacked in the hills on the Peavina
IoSu' The coin was divided in two par
Tels. One half was given to Squjres and
laws, which the former cached in the
mis-, seven miles north of Reno. after the |
OIner members OF the gang dispersed.
Ine story Of the confession of Gilchrlst |
auu subsequent capture of the gang and
recovery Of most of the COIN is too familiar
IVr rehearsal. Squires served eleven
years ana a half in State prison. and
Jaws was killed several years ago while
a.temptlng TO ron the Typo stage in the
eastern part OF She State.
Alter his release Squires returned to
!nlS city and called upon Mr.. Pendergast,
lkeht OF Wells, Fargo & Co. He ap-
ploached the counter and asked Fender
sast II be recognized him. Being ans
SHeIed IN the negative he requested PEN
uersast to take a good, square look, re-
marking; "My name is Squires; have
I 1st been pardored out OF State prison
s,er serving nearly twelve years for rob-
olng the express car at Verdi. i under
n,anu mat you have employed spies to
"H'cn my movements, and | want you to
Nvep sharp lookout for me-"
,.9guires, In conclusion, says he called |
~ 'ne once several times subsequent TO |
t tue aooVe conversation with the agent,
S Sul Mr.. ,. always disappeared Ia the
oaSG room when he entered the premises
lf -. -.