Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-08-09
chap and oh, you're going to hold

NAops SsAAA OA>e ~
us up?'
1.-The stranger now became quite an
CRY. and. with horrible oath. he drew
his pistol from his belt, and in the
twinkling of an eye had 1t leveled at
the breast of Mr.. Bennett, at the same
time ordering him to step down and out
of the coach. Then we first realized
that it was no joke, but that the
stranger meant business. The passen-
gers grew pale and trembled with fear.
No one had weapons to defend US. and
our lives were at the mercy of this des-
perado. He han taken us By surprise
and had got the drop on us. File out
and fall in line! was the order that now
came from the robber with deep. gut
tural tone Of voice and a wicked look
from his cold. gray eye, as he leveled
his weapons at the crowd. We knew
if we didn't obey the order we would be
shot on the spot, and we filed out. We
stood not upon the order of our going,
but we went at once. Jake, the Jew,
poor fellow! was frightened almost out
of his wits. He few around like a
cricket in a hot fire and got out as
quickly as possible. With a look OF
terror on his face he exclaimed: Mine
Colt! I've only got two dollars and a
halef!' But we hustled out quickly,
and at the order Fall in line!' given
in a military tone, all Obeyed as
promptly as any company OF infantry.
Nov, to see what effect it would
have" continued Sergeant Rocklin, IL
said in a ocular way, give me $3.50
and I'll drill your troops for you The
robber became angry, and leveling his
cooked revolver in my face, he said:
Keep still, or you are dead man.
He now handed each one of us hand
kerchiefs, and made us tie them over
our faces as masks, and threatened to
kill the first man who removed his
mask. He then made each man hold
up his hands, and gruffly said: The
first one that makes a move I'll drop
him. All this time he had the crowd
covered with his cooked revOlvers, six
shooters of the most approved self-cock-
ing pattern. He asked if anybody had
a pistol. and the negro handed him a
small 21-caliber gun. The rObber re-
turned it to him, saying that it wouldn't
hurt anybody. He then proceeded to
search the pockets and clothing of the
men for money. He first went through
the pockets of King and got only 81. %.
He next made the Jew disgorge. Poor
Jake begged appealingly to let him
keep his gold watch. q present from
his mother. The robter said he was
not dealing in jewelry, and didn't take
it, but took $l4 in money. He found
$23 on another passenger, who asked
him to leave him enough for adrink.
1.-The brave desperate now searched
my pockets" said the sergeant. lin
the coach discerned what was COM
ing, and put three $40 bills into my
mouth. and held them like a chew of
tobacco. slipped $15 into my shoes,
but the robber found four $40 gold
pieces in my vest pocket. Harry Ben
nett, the saloon-keeper, was next in limo.
Before Bennett left home his wife had
sewed 1000 in bills into the bosom of
his shirt. The robber found $3.50 in
change in his pockets, and felt all over
the bosom of his shirt, placing his
hands on the 81, Goo several times, but
never detecting it. Bennett told him
there was some good liquor in his va
lise in the coach. The rObber made
the driver get it, and after taking a
big, healthy swig, passed it around to
all the men in line. The deputy sheriff.
who had Dragged about his muscle in
the morning. had said he could whip
any robber, was the next to be
searched. But his boosted courage
didn't exhibit itself, and, his frame
trembling, he begged that his life
might be spared for the sake of his
wife and children. The sheriff. how
ever, had only s., which the robber
failed to find.
But now came the most amusing
feature of the game" concluded Ser
geant Rocklin. 1.-The rObber took of
his mask and made us take off ours.
and then he stepped out before us, and
in a brief speech said we were brave
men if We had a chance to fight. He
then drew q notebook from his pocket,
and wrote on fy-leaf the following
testimonial:
Il hereby testify that these men are brave
and would fight they had a chance, but I had
the drop on 'em, and they couldn't show fight
RES pectfully. RUBE SANDE 81
HE handed the piece of paper to
Mr.. Bennett, who will keep it as me.
mento of the interesting occasion. The
note was written in plain business
handwriting. 1t now dawned upon us
that We had been in the clutches OF
| Rube Sanders. one of the most blood.
thirsty robbers of Texas. He gave
each one of US a dollar to buy drinks
with. and refused to take a $3.50
watch belonging to Bennett. He made
the driver unhitch one of his horses,