The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-04
DRIVER COLES STORY.
He Accuses Charles Meyers of
Planning the Pretended
Hold-Up.
soNoMA ooUNTYs BIG CROPS
Los Angeles Voters Declare for a
Bond Issue-Salmon Catches in
the Columbia River.

CoLUSA, CAL, May 3.-Charles Meyers,
charged with completely in the stage rob
berry, near Princeton, on April 13, IS under
going his preliminary trial here. Meyers
was accused OF having taken part in the
robbery by Charles ". Cole, the driver
: OF the Boggs line stage. who confessed
that he and Meyers had planned and exc
.cuted the pretended hold-up. TO secure the
gold contained IN the WelIs-Fargo treas
ure-box.
When the stage rolled into Princeton on
the night Of april 13, Cole gave g graphic
account OF hoId-up by two masked high
waymen, who, he said, covered him with
their pistols and compelled him 10 throw
cut the treasure-box. Then they searched
his pockets, securing $26 in cash.
The officers doubted Coles story, and
commenced an investigation OF his actions
prior 10 the pretended robbery. Cole
finally made a complete confession, in
which he implicated Charles Meyers, the
head bookkeeper Of John BOggs, who owns
the stage line. He claimed that Meyers
kept him informed OF the dates when the
treasure-box would be carried through,
and when it arrived they carried 1t away
and secreted it, the driver taking with him
an empty box in lieu OF the treasure.
When arrested, Meyers denied Cole s
story, alleging that he was being made the
victim OF plot. He was released on 5000,
and appeared on time for the examination.
The first witness called was Nelson But
Ter OF the firm OF Butler i Etter OF Prince
ton. He testified that he was Postmaster
81 Princeton, and that his firm was agents
for Wells, Fargo & Co. He said the
treasure-box contained, when delivered TO
the stage, S53 50 and one or two letters
containing checks addressed 10 the cashier
OF the Colusa Bank. The stolen box was
brought into court and identified BY But
Ter. The contents were intact. Butler
said he bid the box the day before
the robbery, but would not send II,
IS 1t would delay the stage, but shipped it
the day Of the robbery. When the COMES
sion was made the box was found in its
hiding place near the scene OF the robbery.
Hon. John Boggs stated that when he
got home from the City he sent for Cole.
and told him suspicion was pointing TO
him as the robber and asked Cole 10 tell
al he knew. Cole said that be had told
the stage was held up, and he knew no
more about il. Boggs said that the story
was a weak one, for men were pIowing in
sight OF him; that if Cole would tell the
truth and return the property he would do
all IN his power TO make his sentence as
light as possible. Cole then admitted that
he had himself hidden the box under the
CuIvert-
He said he did not put up the Job alone.
%. but that It was planned by Charles Meyers.
who told him considerable money was 70
be sent by the stage, and that If Cole
would hide it he (Meyers) would 20 and
get il. Boggs telegraphed for Sheriff
Jones, who left CoIusa Immediately for
Princeton and found the box where Cole
said they would. Meyers and Cole were az
rested az once.
To-day Cole took the stand again. plac-
ing the whole blame on Meyers shoulders
and repeating every detail of the converse
ton between them. He said he only had
about $50 in the bank. He vas a con-
ductor on the Sutter-street railroad IN san
Francisco about 9 year.
Alto rney AIbery, after trying unsuccess-
fully 10 get Coles testimony ruled out,
said he was willing TO submit the case
without evidence for the defendant. The
case viii be argued tomorrow morning.