The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1895-06-15
HANDS UP" IS THE ORDER
The Meeker- Rifle Stage Held
Up Near I3-Mile by
Two Tyros.
Nothing Lost, Though, Aside From
HaH-HoW'S Time.

/ This town was treated to real live
sensation on the arrival of the stage
from the south Wednesday evening.
| The driver Billy Orviile, and the only
passenger aboard, C. IL. Helms, of
Littleton, Colo, reported that the stage
was held up at a point about two miles
this side of Thirteen-Mile creek, which
would be about fifteen miles out from
| Meeker.
The coach was pulling through wide,
deep arroyo at the point designated
when two masked men, with rifles
leveled on the approaching vehicle,
slowly rose from depression at the
side of the road and ordered the driver
to stop, which order he mechanically
obeyed. The next order commanded
| both driver and passenger to get down
| from the box. The driver had quickly
recovered from his surprise and in
were fractions and liable to run away
If he got down. Mr.. Helms was ordered
to dismount and on alighting was
marched short distance from the stage
with his hands elevated and searched
for weapons. He told the hOld-ups that
he hadn't even pocket knife on his
person, and after feeling about him and
satisfying themselves that lac was minus
defensive weapons, marched him back
to tue coach, meantime making him
keep his hands up. This performance
was carried out by one of the highway
men, while the other kept an eye and
gun on the driver. Both Messrs. Or
vile and Helms were now covered by a
Winchester in the hands OF one of the
masked men while the other demanded
the way pouch. This was examined
and land office package found, which
was torn open but yielded nothing. The
road agent" then made a hasty search
of the ''boot" but found nothing that
took his eve. The mail sacks were left
undisturbed. The driver and passenger
were then asked if they had any money.
Billy showed up about 50 in currency
and NJ. Helms about Sl2. The latter
told the men behind the masks that he
was a workingman, travelling through
the country seeking employment. and,
as he afterwards stated, made quite a
little talk for his few dollars, which in
reality, were all he had. The generous
highwaymen told the traveller and |
driver to keep their cash; that while |
they were adrift and broke themselves,
they didn't want such small amounts |
The stage was then allowed 10 proceed |
on its journey, the rifles of the highway !
men being pointed after it until il got |
out of sight.
The robbers got nothing for their |
trouble, but their motive is supposed TO |
have been an express package taken on
at Rifle and foolishly marked, value,
5000" The package contained valu-
able papers. consigned to the bank here. |
How and where they got onto this pack
age is a mystery; but their rigid ex-
animation of Mr.. Helms shows that |
they took him for vanguard or stage |
agent in whose possession it ought to
be found. The package lay under the !
mail sacks with other express matter, |
but in their hurried and imperfect
search the hold-ups did not reach it.
Billy Orvile, who watched the move
ments Of the masked men closely, says
they were nervous and seemed anxious
TO get job they weren't used TO off
their hands. Whether they were pro-
fessionals or amateurs is the cause of
much speculation here, and has given
our citizens something to talk about
during the past few days.
On hearing of the Hold-up Sheriff