Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-13
PACIFIC COAST.
4 GOVERNMENT PAYMASTER WAY.
LAID AND ROBBED.
The Cruiser Charleston Coming
North-Resiguation of Judge
Temple Suicide.
IsrEclAL DISPATCHES TO THE RRconD-rMox.l
HIGHwAYMEN IN AsrBusu.
Government Paymsster Robbed-Eieht
Men of His Escort Disabled.

TUcSoN (Ariz.}, May lith.-A desperate run
nlng fight occurred this afternoon three miles
north of Cedar Springs, in Graham county.
near Fort Thomas, between an escort of eleven
men accompanying Paymaster Major Wham
and his assistant, Gibbon, and a party of am
buShed highwaymen. Major Wham was on lis
way TO pay off the Government post at Fort
Thomas, and when in q narrow gorge was nj
tackled. Alter desperate pitched battle lasting
ha + an hour, eight OF the eleven men of the
escort were either fatally wounded or disabled
so as to render further resistance impossible
The robbers succeeded in getting away with
$4,000 The coach was dran by four mules
ana they dashed down a steep grade with Major
Wham aud his assistant insiGe The brigaiids
opened fire on the flying conveyance. the escort
rapidly firing in return Major Wham and Gibbon
were armed With repeating rifles and n perfect
storm OF bullets rained for thirty minutes
Major Wham came out OF the engagement url-
touched Mr.. Gibbon was shot through MS
clothing, but he was unscratehed.
Troop e. Fourth Cavalry, and part of an in
fantry company are ii pursuit and guards have
been placed at all the mountain passes The
number OF men in the attacking party cannot
be less than seven or eight, judging from the
number of shots fred. Fully Que hundred shots
We're fired during the encounter.
The names OF tae wounded cannot be learned
tonight Much excitement prevails a7d a vosse
organized by the United States Marshal is also
in pursuit. The robbers are supposed to have
been partly organized for this express purpose
and they belong IN exaS and New Mexico. Asthe
Paymaster movements are keptQuiet some one
hCAt lsStSAi nave
as to Msjor Whams movements.
PURSUING THE ROBBERS.
TUcSoE "a. IT,, May l2th.-Additional intelfi-
gence from Fort Thomas to-day confirms the
news received last night OF the stack and rob
berry OF Major NhaIn, Major Wham SAYS the at
tack WIS SO sudden and hendish that for 4 mo-
ment all was confusion, bus the escort of colored
troops, from troop /, Eleventh Cavalry almost
Immediately returned the ire of the highway
men, who were concealed in Il stone fort build
FsNT ~ ~ nea - 10 lFAfn
ing the road through narrow gorge From
their position they could command a view Of
the road for some distance Their presence was
entirely unexpected until the firing began
This morning one troop of cavalry was sent
from Fort Lowell TO guard the mountain passes
in ella valley, and another party of Apache
scouts and trailers were taken to Cedar Springs
today, who Immediately took up the trail
which led towards .SolomonyiIe u small town
southeast OF Fort Thomas. Major Wham had
received fund sufficient by express from Los
Angeles at Bowie 70 pay off at Forts Grant and
1homss and was on the way from Grant when
the attack was made.
The s29,000 consisted of about $4,000 in gold
snd silver, the balance curre ncy. Although
seriously incumbered by the weight of the
money still by burying that they can make
rapid marches across the mountains with the
currency, and unless headed off by rapid cir
cultous marches OF the troops, they viii make
4 large posse, Of citizens and officers have
been organized between Lordsburg and Wilcox
and started in pursuit. a detailed account of
tn fight cannot be obtained from Wilcox as the
wire from there belongs to the Government and
all business not directly concerning the move
ment of troops is forbidden
Three OF the wounded were left on the field of
action last night their wounds being of such a
serious character they could not be moved It
is thought these and two of the other wounded
will die.
United States Marshal Meade with a posse
starts by rail tonight to guard all railroad
stations. Two troops of infantry have been
placed on sentinel duty along the base of Gila
TO the number in the attacking party, for after
driving the PaymaSter and escort of and Sc
curing the treasure they scattered on the noun
tain side