The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-16
AP MASTER
And His Guards Attacked by a
Large Band of Robbers.
$4,000 Seized.
The Escort Suddenly Receive a
Volley from Ambush-Eight
Soldiers Wounded.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE following
telegram, confirmatory of past dispatches
on the subject, was received at the war de-
partment:
SAN FRANoIsoo, May Is, 1889. To the
Adjuant-general, Washington, D. c.
Paymayster Whsnn and escort were at
tackled by body of men in ambush at l
O'Clock Saturday afternoon, May IL, be-
tween Grant and Thomas arsenals. Eight
of the eleven men forming the escort were
wounded, five supposed to be IA
tally. The murderers and robbers
secured $4,000 of government funds
The military and civil authorities
are in active pursuit ia the vicinity of
Graham mountains. 1 recommend that a
liberal reward be Offered for the appre-
hension of the murderers and the recovery
of the government funds
Signed MILES,
Brigadier-general.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Tucson, Ariz., May IA Fort Thomas
special gives the particulars of the
recent fight between robbers and United
States Paymaster Whanns party, near
Cedar Springs, in which the robbers sue
ceeded In carrying away $4,000
The road where the attack was
made winds down long hill,
near the top of which it runs
bttween high wall on the east and low
ledge of rock on the west. A large rock
was discovered in the road, and the party
stopped to remove it. A volley of shots
was thereupon fred from tine brow of the
hill, which rose to height of fifty feet
almost perpendicular. None of the rob-
bers could be seen from below. The pay
masters party, which consisted of Maj. j.
W. Whapn, Clerk w. R. Gibbon, two,com-
missioned officers, nine privates and two
drivers, Immediately returned the fire
which became general. The robbers had
placed men further up the hill to the
right of the party, and also sent
men around the hill to get in GROSS fire
from the left. 1t is known at least one
man in each of the thanking parties was
either killed or wounded. The paymaster's
party made break for the ravine below
is without shelter, and five we're wounded
in crossing it. Others of the party re-
: treated further around the point of tn
hill.
, Paymaster Wharn came from behinC
the ledge thinking the cross fire had beef
silenced. He made an heroic effort tt
) rally his men, but they were compelled tt
seek other shelter. Being exposed to tn,
terrible fire, the paymaster, his clerk ant
corporal were the only men who reached
the last shelter unwounded.
While the party of robbers kept up tn
, fire from the hill it was very easy mat
, ter for the others to go down and secur
the booty which was in a strong irol
bound box in the bottom of the ambulance
3 1t was opened with an axe, and $4,000
carried away together with valise, which
they soon cut open and abandoned
One robber was seen to be takel
away on pack mule, anC
tracks of blood showed them to have sui
fered badly. Six of the wounded in tn
, paymaster's party were conveyed in al
3 ambulance to the hospital here, and tn
surgeon and wagons were sent for tn
{ others. Eight mel out of eleven wer
r wounded. One of the wounde
soldiers has died, and three other
q are in a critical condition
f The soldiers and Indians are out search
, ing for the robbers, and the troops in Ne'
5 Mexico are Fastening to intercept them
, they enter that territory. 1t is believed
however, that they will make an endeavo
{ to escape into Sonora, Mexico. Governo
Wofey has offered a reward of $500 eao
q for the arrest and conviction of the rob
, bers.