The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-12
BOLD EXPRESS ROBBERY
Two Men Make Good Haul Near
Co., Cripple Creek, Colo.
THE DRIVER BRUTALLY BEATEN.

One Express Package Containing $1,000
and Another Containing $3.50 Secured.
The Treasure Was In Charge of Only One
Man Hundreds Pursue the Robbers.
CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo, April 12.-The
mail and express wagon which connects
with the Midland railroad at Grassy was
boarded yesterday about two miles from
this city by two men, who overpowered the
driver, Robert Smith, secured an express
package containing SIG, 900, and escaped on
horseback.
The holdup took place on the summit of
Tcnderfoot hill, on the highway between
Cripple Greek and Grassy, station on
the Midland Terminal railroad The
wagon was en- route from Grassy TO Grip
pie Creek with the mall and express mat
ter received at Grassy on the morning
train from Denver and Colorado Springs.
Two mon sitting beside the road accosted
Smith, asking for ride. He drew up his
team and one Of the men climbed up to
the seat beside him, while the other
mounted the baggage behind.
As soon as Smith started to drive on the
man behind struck him on the head sew
eral times with revolver. Tho blow
staggered, but did not stun him. The man
OH the seat with him also drew a revolver,
and leveling 1t at him commanded him to
get down, walk to the heads OF the horses
> and hold their brides. He complied, and
while he was covered with their guns
they ripped open and rifled the mall and
express pouches After securing $l6, 900
package and several other valuable pack
ages they unhitohed the two leading horses
aud mounted them and rode of rapidly
into the mountains.
Smith xpha Wna vary yuaak and hIeadino
prOfusely, drove into the city as quickly
as possible. When he drew up in front of
the Fargo Express office he tainted and
fell from his seat. He was revived in a
few minutes and related what had befallen
him.
Within twenty minutes from the time
the robbery was committed Deputy Sher-
iffs Sterling and Jackson and 200 men
started in search OF the robbcrs. A mes
sage has been sent to Canyon City for a
bloodhound, which will be put on the trail
Of the robbers. II they are not captured be-
fore 1t arrives.
The robbers were tracked to the Divide
road north Of the town, near Rhyolite
mountain. After robbing the express
company they crossed over Cow mountain
and at Gillett they discarded the horses
which they had taken and took light
buggy and horse, which they had secreted
In the timber, and drove away, after turn
ing the stolen horses loose and starting
them on the road toward Cripple Greek.
The men left the regular Cripple Creek
and Divide road about six miles north Of
Iownes and went toward Alhambra. As
soon as their course was determined word
was sent to this place, and posse OF fifty
heavily armed men out across the country
on horseback toward High Park, where
they hoped so intercept the robbers, as 1t
was believed they were headed for Alham-
bra or the Arkansas valley. Over 800 men
from this place were soon securing the
country, among the volunteers being men
who know every inch OF ground for miles
around.
This WAS pay day at the mines and the
stolen $1,000 money package was con.
signment to the Blmetallic bank of this
city to be used in paying miners. An.
other package containing $3.50 was also
stolen. 1t Is believed the robbers came
from Denver. and knew that the large
amount was on the wyRn,