Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-06-30
IT TOOK NERVE

Ex-Unitcd States Marshal Paul,
who was in the city yesterday, related
interesting "reminiscences Of staging
in California, recalled by the murder
Of Michael Toyey, the Wells Fargo
messenger near Jackson last Thurs
day.
Marshall Paul was we'll acquainted
With povey and for several years prior
to 1877, was a messenger with him be-
tween Carson and Dodie, and also be-
tween Virginia and Ploche
Clint Radcliffe, the driver who
was with Tovey the other day when
he was killed, was at that time run
ming between Indian Wells and Oar
win.
Those were troublesome times in
Nevada and on part of the route on
which Marshal Paul and Tovey ran
the services Of three messengers were
required.
TO estimate the necessity for the
precaution it may be mentioned that
during the month on which Marshal
Paul quit the Nevada service and
came to Arizona for Wells Fargo, the
stage on which he was messenger, car
rled out gold bullion valued at 500,
900.
His place was filed by Teyey, who
was succeeded by a well-known Wells
Fargo messenger named Woodruff, a
byotber Of Hank Woodruff, who form
erly resided in this territory.
Along in 1880 one day thestage, sup
orintended by Tovey and Woodruff,
was attacked between Carson and
Bodie by Sharp and Jones, men
toned in yesterdays dispatches con-
cerning Toyey's killing. Jones was
killed by Tovey and Sharp escaped,
but was afterward captured at San
Francisco and sent up for a long term.
Speaking Of the letter said to have
been received by Toyey few days be-
fore the murder signed "Sharp,"
Marshal Paul said the authorities
ought to know where Sharp is. lie
believes unless he was pardoued he
has not yet completed his term vt San
Quintin, and that the letter was q
blind. Il conclusion also arrived at by
the probability that Sharp if he had
intended to murder the messenger,
would hardly have notified him OF his
intentions.
That line on which Toyey was kill
ed has always bcn regarded as the
most dangerous in California. 1t orig
inally extended from Mokclumne to
lone, taking in Ainador, Drytown and
other points. 1t was shortened by
railroads until it now runs only from
Jackson to lone.
The first messenger on that line was
Lee Matthews, who was afterwards
appointed by Governor Booth to re-
sponsible position at San QuIntin, and
is now connected with the detective
service at San Francisco. Matthews
was succeeded by Marshal Paul, who
held the run two years and was trans
ferred to Nevada. He was followed
by Tom McGee. McGce was shot
three times and died in the service Of
the company, net from wounds but IL
is believed from continual apprehen-
sion that be would be killed After
NcGee came jim Luddy, who is at
present assessor Of Calayaras county.
Toyey succeeded Luddy.
Drivers and messengers on that line
always expected every tri p would be
attended by a scrimmage with road
agents and such scrimmages were so
numerous that expectation was natu-
rally and frequently realized. Al
though the decline Of mining has
greatly lesseucd the temptation to
stage robbery the fate Of Foyey proves
that it is not entirely removed and
emphasized the nerve that must have
been required In Wells Fargo mes
sengers ten or tlfteen years ago.