The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-04
TO CAPTURE ROBERT GARRETT.
SCHEME OF MEXICAN BRIGANDs.

He was 10 Have Been Held for an EDOr.
mOus RansOm-rhe Mexican Trip Aban.
dOned = The Plot Said 10 Have Been
Revealed by n Texan lie Eecttve.
The Baltimore American of last week
contained the following special dispatch
from San Antonio, Texas:
What might have been the most,daring
and sensational act of brigandage of the
century has been defeated by the vigilance
and good will of a Texan detective, who
has, by his timely information, saved Mr..
Robert Garrett from misfortune which
would have been terrible climax to the
mishaps which have one after another,
come upon the former president of the
Baltimore &. Ohio railroad. The project
was nothing less than bold scheme on
the part of band OF lawless Mexicans to
capture Mr.. Garrett and compel his friends
to pay princely ransom for his release.
Strange and improbable as such scheme
may seem, there was sufficient evidence
given ty the detective to induce those who
up their proposed trip and to take their
patient to good place on good American
soil, where no fear of brigands could dis
turb his peace. Ever since the distin-
guished party left New York, over three
weeks ago. dispatches have appeared al
most daily in all of the Mexican papers, in
wh,ch the progress Of the trip was de-
sclibed. In connection with these dis
patches Mr.. CARROTS wealth WAS fire.
qaently commented on, many of the pa
pers estimating the value of his holdings
as high as one hundred millions of dollars.
These reports came to the ears OF the
many outlaws and half-breed desperadoes
who infest the Mexican border. and they
ture the party. which must pass one of
their many haunts. The prospects of
such a haul made them jubilant. Secret
meetings were held. at which all of the
details Of the capture were arranged. Rum
ners were sent out to track the party 10
the border. SO that there could be no mis-
take. while large gangs were delegated to
positions along the lines of the various
railroads, as it was not definitely known
which route Mr.. Garrett would take. The
plan of action was to follow very closely
the usual manner of robbing trains.
At a rtain station across the border
several of the frontiersmen We're 10 have
boarded the train secretly, and then pull
the engine bell so as to stop the train at
another given point familiar to the scouts
Here the outlaws In waiting were to rush
into the ears, each man with his lille
cooked an ready for action. The proba
bility of resistance was not thought of,
becaus &c the rascal knew their dilemmas.
Those Of the party as it suited the bri-
ganis to let free were to be allowed to go
abO at their business, while Mr.. Garnet
and whoever remaiaed with him were to
be taken to cave in the mountains,
known only to the robbers. where they
were to be held unit the ransom asked for
was pail.
The amount of ransom caused many
heated discussions among the outlaws, as
they could not agree upon the sum. In
view OF Mr. CARROTS immense wealth,
many in ,istel upon fabulous sum, while
Others were content to receive cOmpar
atively paltry sum, providing it was all in
hard cash. After considerable argument
the amount was finally fixed at an enor-
nous amount. which was to be insisted
upon a. long as there was The slightest
chance of success. The terms of the ran
son, were to be sent to the friends of Mr.
Garrett, who were to be warned that only
square business would accomplish Mr..
Carr EFT release. If they attempted any
plan Of rescue than that proposed by the
outlaws. Mr.. Garrett was TO be held a
captive indefinitely, possibly until the De-
partment of State at Washington had ar
ranged with the Mexican government TO
send troops to his rescue.
Is Was bold scheme, but Mexican bri
gands know no such word as fear when
they get their victims within the confines
of thsir own territory. And their nefa-
rious scheme might have been accom-.
plished had not one of the gang. in a
drunken moment, given an inkling of what
waste occur. This happened in San An
tonic last week. The fellow a Mexican,
whose name could not be learned, entered
a restaurant in the lower part of the town
with another of his kind. and for nearly
an hour they discussed the plan for the as
sauft. They spoke in low tone. but not
foo lou for a etrauUor tn hoar uho l,ap
pened to be iD place at time. lie listen ed
attentiyely. and then Swallowed the men
t. depot near by, where they boarded a
midnight train. The stranger. who proved
to be u detective. Immediately cOmmnnl-
Gated with his superiors. Upon lea, ming
the particulars the Garrett party decided
to forego tie Mexican trip and take in the
beauties of Jacksonville and Thorn .ssyile :.
Ca. instead. They were not at all dis
comfittsd by the news. but thought it safer
to change their plans.
A letter received in this CITY Yesterday
says the american, from one of Mr.. Gar.
rett's party states that the trip TO Mexico
has been abandoned for resscns best known
TO Mr.. Garrett and his friends. Tine letter
further states that Mr.. Garrett has Lee
much benefited by his trip and is now in
excel mt health and spirits. AFTER VII
iting several more of the famous Southern
resor's the letter concludes "our party
will return home sUOn." 1t is Mr.. Gar
rett'S intention to go to uplands imme
diateiy upon his return to this city. His
plans for the coming summer have not yet
been determined upon.