Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-11
BOLD BANDITS.
Mail and Express Wagon Held Up
Kich Booty for Cripple Creek
Highwaymen.

Denver, April IA special to the
Times from Cripple Creek, Colo, says:
The mail and express wagon, which con-
meets with the Midland Terminal railroad
at Grassy station, was boarded to-day
about two miles from this city by two
men who overpowered the driver, Robert
Smith, secured the express package con-
tanning $4,000 and escaped on horse
back. The hold-up took place about $3.50
o'clock on the summit of Tender-foot
hill, on the highway between Cripple
Greek and Grassy station, on the Mid
land Terminal railroad. The mail and
express wagon, drawn by horses and
driven by Messenger Robert Smith, was
en- route from Grassy to Cripple with the
mails and express matter received at
Grassy on the morning train from Denver
and Colorado Springs.
DETAILS OF THE AUDAoIoUs AFFAIR.
Two men, sitting beside the road, ac-
costed 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 on the man behind
struck him on the head several times
with revolver. The blows staggered
him but did not stun him. The man on
the seat with him also drew revolver
and leveling it 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 guns, they
ripped open and riaed the mail and ex-
press pouches. After securing $4,000,
which was being shipped to one Of the
Cripple Creek national banks, and sew
eral other valuable packages, they un.
hitched the two leading horses, mounted
them and rode rapidly into the noun
tains. Smith, very week and bloody,
drove into the city as quickly as possi.
BILE. When he drew up in front Of the
Wells-F Fargo express Office he tainted and
fell from his seat. ae
Smith revived in few minutes and re-
lated what had befallen him. Within
twenty minutes from the time the rob-
berry was committed Deputy Sheriffs
Sterling and jackson with 200 men
started TO scour the hills in search of the
robbers, who have SO small start that
it is not believed they can escape. A
messenger has been sent to Canon City
for bloodhounds.
RICH BUNDLE OF BOOTY.
The $4,000 package secured by the
robbers was consignment from Denver
by the Wells, Fargo & Cos. express. 1t
has not yet been ascertained by whom it
was shipped, but it is believed to have
been forwarded by the First National
bank, of Denver, to the First National
bank, of Cripple Creek. Another package
containing $3.50 is missing. 1t is be-
lieved that the robbers came from Den
yer and knew that the large money
package was In the wagon.
IN HOT PURSUIT OF THE ROBBERS.
2 p. NIT has been learned that the
$4,000 package was a consignment to
the Bimetallic National bank to be used
for paying miners. The robbers have
been traced to the divide road, north of
town, near Rhyolite mountain. They
crossed over Cow mountain and near
Gillette, discarded the stolen horses, took a
light buggy aud horse they had secreted
in the timber and drove away.
They left the regular Cripple Greek and
Divide road about six miles north of
town and headed toward Alhambra. As
soon as the course was determined word
was sent to this place and posse of fifty
heavily armed men cut across the country