The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-07
Story of an Inspector Told to the Postofice De-
partment, Which Is Likely to Raise the
Amount of the Standing Reward.
Some Consular Reports That Contain
Facts of More than Passing Interest.
Railway Construction in India-POrt of Mar
seilles-lmmigratiOn to the Argentine
Republic-Fighting a Lawyer.
A BOLD ROAD AGENT.

Daring Robbery of United States Mail Coaches
-Tslk of Increasing the Standing Reward.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The P0stoffice De-
partment has a standing reward of 500 for
the arrest and conviction of every person
who robs, attemps to rob, or in any way
interfere with the United States nails Of
late there have been so many stage-coach
robberies in the West that the postofiice au-
thorities are convinced that the reward is
not sufficient to insure the detection and
capture of the robbers. and the Postmaster
general and Chief Postoffice Inspector
Rathbone have come to the conclusion that
the amount paid for the capture of a mail
robber should be largely increased, and
that no expense should be spared in bring
ing this class of criminals to justice. The
Wells-Fargo Express Company h&s stand
ing reward of 81 900 for the arrest of any
man who attempts to hold up one
of their stage-coaches, and they
would just as soon pay for a dead
robber as a live one. Inspector Rathbone
believes that the government ought to be
able to pay Just as much as private firm.
report received at the Postoffice Depart
ment from Inspector Fredericks shows the
necessity of offering larger sums for the ar
rest of these knights OF the road, and con-
tains the account of a very bold robbery.
The south-bound stage on the route from
Rawlins to Ft. Washakie. w. IT,, was held
up near ROugis, about $50, by lone high
wayman. He covered the driver in the
regulation style, and after telling him to
throw I'D his hands warned him If he made
any noise he should consider it necessary
to make hole. with the aid of a bullet, in
the top of his head. Not wishing to have
his skull resemble a sieve. the driver kept
quiet while the robber devoted his atten-
tiOn to the registered mail. The only pas
senger was the wife of the Indian agent at
the ShOshone agency, and she was forced
to give up her purse, containing So She had
q trunk with her. and this the robber
broke, open, and In one OF the
the point of taking this when the woman
told him that it was only plated. He
threw it back with the remark that he was
not bothering plated stuff After counting
up his gains, and finding that he was only
SIS richer by the raid, which he thought
was pretty poor pay for nights work, he
told the driver to go on till they met the
north bound stage, when he would give
him further instructions. Just before
down and concealed himself, giving the
driver a parting injunction not to reveal
his presence on pain OF death. AS soon as
the two stages had passed, the second one
was SIOppeu III TIE SdLo hdnuof as tiio
other, and the registered mail examined.
One letter was found to contain $500 in cur
rency, and after securing 1t and all other
valuables he disappeared.
The south bound stage reported the rob-
berry of the mail to the postmaster at
Rougis, but, although there were several
cowboys hanging around the store at the
time, none of them considered the reward
of $500 sufficient inducement to go out on
the trail. Inspector Fredericks says that
man who would have nerve enough to hold
up two stages in one night would. without
life, and the cowboys don't think it worth
while being killed for 500. especially as
the epursuit of highwayman is often an
extensive lob.