The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-04

11ere was panic IN the car at HrSI WueH
it became known what was happening.
1.-THE women especially were terror
stricken, and one old gentleman and my
self were chiefly engaged for most OF the
time in trying TO reassure and advise them
what to do. | was sure that no well-bred
bandit would rob lady, and told them
so, but it did not seem to relieve their
anxiety. l carefully hid my watch and
valuables and left just enough money iii
my pockets to make reasonable showing
so as not to invite search. 1t was night,
as you know, and we were all in bed. The
man in the berth opposite was healthy
looking young fellow who was, neverthe-
less, terribly alarmed. | advised him to
follow my example in slowing away his
valuables and also, if possible, to have
reasonable amount to give up.
During the entire time | could see the
man on guard outside and reported his
movements to the others, as he ran along,
occasionally fiourishing his sticks OF dyna-
mite, threatening in loud voice II there
was any disposition to resist the robbers
inside to throw a stick through the win
dow, and now and then exploding small
quantity, just as an evidence of their SIM
certify and ability. There was as frequent
firing on the other side the train, and
over or whether there was another man
on that side seems to be in doubt.
''Mine was the forward berth in our car,
and and the man opposite speculated as
to which the robbers would give their at
tention first. Finally the door swung open
and the men with the masks and ugly
looking revolvers entered and turned to
the man opposite me. He began to blub-
Der and cry in abiect fear, and handed out
some papers.
What are these? asked the bandit.
"'They are my checks, sir, said the man,
"'Your checks, are they? Well, don't
want your checks. Come, dig up. | want
your cash.
help me, God, sir, that is every cent I've
got
"The bandit looked at it and threw it
back on his bed, saying, We'll, you are
handsome specimen, you are
This was all so ridiculous that could
not help laughing, and the bandit turned
his revolver upon me, saying: You are a
fly one, are you? Well, suppose you dig up
81 was prepared, as [ said, and reaching
for my trousers, threw them out, saying,
Dig up yourself
1.-THE long barrel of his revolver rested
on his left forearm as he held out his hand
and the trousers fell upon 1t. He tossed
them back to me from the point saying:
Here now, you dig up
'"Oh, just as you say said l, and l
handed him 81 50 from the pocket.
"He snapped the coins together and
looked at me. You nave cashed most of
yours it seems he said.
81 looked at him and said nothing.
"He paused just an instant as though in
doubt and then said: Well, let's move on,
he's one of those fly ones And they did
move on. OF course nobody in the train
slept any more that night. | got up and
b - !
learning the experiences of the individuals,
and they were all sorts, some of them very
amusing. An old Scotchman, for in
stance, who was evidently a cool hand. had
one that leaned both ways.
"'I've had a terrible time he told me,
with a wide brogue. L had SS4-four
$50 gold pieces and four silver dollars.
When heard the robbers were coming
separated them and put the four twenties
down in my shoe, as l thought, and the
four dollars in my pocket When the rob-
Der demanded the money, l felt in my
pocket and handed over tie four
pieces saying it was the last dollar l had.
Imagine my horror when glancing at the
coins as he took them up and | saw the
four yellow gold pieces. / started and was
on the point of telling him that had
made mistake"
Mr. Bennett Is in the City looking after
his mining interests. He is. carrying on
large and uniformly successful operations
in three States-Northern California, Mon
tana and Washington.
Speaking of Tacoma and Washington
Mr.. Bennett said: Business is reviving
up north very materially. You people of
San Francisco do not realize that
so per cent of ell the tea imported
from the Orient passes through the city of
Tacoma. The Northern Pacific line of
ships, which numbered three a short time
ago, is now six. Another regular line of
ships carries our lumber to South Africa.
Wheat elevators that extend along our
water front have been found to be unequal
to the trade, and others are now in course
of construction on the tide fats. The era
of the hard times is past, and we expect
to see things moving at the rapid gait
characteristic of the Northwest before very
long now"