The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-12
STAGE STOPPED.
Robbers in Colorado Got
More Than $4,000.
Money Was to Pay Off Miners-Big
Posse Securing the Country,

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo, April 1e.-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 overpowored
the driver, Robert Smith, secured an ex-
press package containing $4,000, and os-
capped on horseback.
The holdup took place about 8 80 o'clock,
on the summit of Tenderfoot hill, on the
highway between Cripple Greek and
Grassy, station on the Midland Terminal
railroad. The mail and express wagon.
drawn by horses, driven by Messenger
Robert Smith, was en- route from Grassy
TO Cripple Creek, with the mails and ex-
press matter received at Grassy on the
Springs.
Two mon sitting beside the road ac-
oostcd Smith, asking for a ride. He drew
up his team and one Of the men climbed
up the seat beside him while the other
mounted the baggage behind. AS soon az
Smith started TO drive on the man behind
struck him on the head several times with
q revolver The blow staggered. but did
not stun him.
Quickly and Cooliy Done.
Tho man on the seat also drew a re-
volver. and, leveling it at him, COM
manded 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
rified the mail and express pouches. Al
Ter securing $4,000 which was being
shipped to the Bi-Metallic bank of this
city, and several other valuable packages,
they unhitched the two leading horses and
mounted them and rode of rapidly into
the mountains.
Smith, who was very weak and bleeding
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.
Smith was revived In n few minutes and
related what had befallen him. Within 20
minutes from the time the robbery was
committed. Deputy Sheriffs Sterling and
jackson and 200 men started to scour the
hills In search Of the robbers, who have so
small q start, that IL Is not believed they
can escape. A messenger has been sent to
Canon City for a bloodhound, which will
b. put on the trail OF the robbers II they
are not captured before it arrives
Yesterday was pay day at the mines,
and the $4,000 package secured by the
robbers was IA consgn sent from Denver
by the Wells Fargo Express company to
the Bi- Metallic bank, To be used in paying
miners. Another package containing $3.50
IL also missing II is believed the robbers
came from Denver and knew that tho
large money package was on the wagon.
Posse ON Their Track.
The two robbers were traced to the di-
vide road north of the town, near Rhyo-
lite mountain. After robbing the express
they crossed over Cow mountain, and
near Gillette they discarded the horses
which they had taken ana took light
buggy and horse which they had secreted
IN the timber aud drove away, after turn
Ing the stolen horses loose and starting
them on the road toward Cripple Creek.
The men left the regular Cripple Greek
and Divide road about six miles north Of
the town and headed toward Alhambra.
AS soers as their course was determined
posse OF 80 heavily armed men cut across
the country on horseback toward High
Park, where they hoped TO intercept tho
robbers, as it was believed here that they
were heading for either Alhambra or the
Arkansas valley.
Over jDO men from this place are scour.
ing the country, among the volunteers
being men who know every inch Of
ground for miles around.