Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-04
STORY OF THE FIFTIEs.
The Famous Snfe Robbery at jack
(San Francisco POST

(San Francisco Post.)
In the early SOS Wells. Fargo & Co.
had an office in the United States Hotel,
at Jackson, Amador county, Kendall Bro
theirs being the agents.
Express business was lively in those
days, and the amount Of gold dust and
bullion that the company transported
from Jackson to Sacramento over road
famous for highwaymen was simply
enormous.
On certain days Of the week no stage
trips were made, and. in consequence. the
safe In the Office OF the company almost
always contained a large amount of gold
dust.
The inevitable happened In due course.
One morning, early in 1854, the safe was
found broken open and robbed OF its
Notwithstanding like $4,000.
The company Immediately offered
liberal reward for the recovery OF the
money and the Apprehension OF the
thief.
The large sum promised made many
OF the citizens of the town anxious to OBJ
tain the prize, and they set about the
matter with more zeal than discretion.
Many clues were run down, only TO be
found worthless. and the embryo de-
tectives soon began to despair OF ever OBJ
tanning any part OF the coveted reward.
But several days after the robbery had
been committed a great sensation was
caused by statements made by Charles
Ackerly, a dissipated character OF the
town.
His story was to the effect that on the
night previous TO the discovery OF the
theft he passed by Wells. Fargo Co.'s
office at a late hour, and, happening to
look through the window. saw one of the
Kendalls tampering with the safe.
The two brothers had always borne the
best OF regulations, and Ackerly's rather
unreasonable story was not credited by
the citizens of the town. They were the
better satisfied with themselves for doubt
ing ii. when AcRerly was brought before
the Town Magistrate, and asked TO repeat
his statement under oath, which he posi-
lively refused TO do. In fact, he abso-
iutely declined to make any further
statement at all. though kept in jail for
some time for contempt In consequence
OF his refusal.
1t was remembered by some of the
citizens that just before the time or
the robbery three strangers had come
to town, and a suspicion arose that they
had some knowledge OF the crime.
They were finally arrested and brought
before the Magistrate for examination.
The little courtroom was crowded with
spectators when the inquiry began, but 1t
resulted In nothing. for the most thorough
and searching investigation failed to de-
velop any discriminating evidence against
the accused men. But there was to be
startling ending to the proceedings.
The Magistrate was just about TO dis
charge the prisoners from custody, when
three masked mep suddenly made their
appearance in the courtroom, and before
the startled officers OF the law or the
spectators could interfere. forcibly took
Stupperfield, one Of the strangers. from
the deputy sheriffs who had him In
charge.
The three newcomers were all heavily
armed, and they warned those present
not to interfere with them at the peril
OF their lives.
Once outside the courtroom stupperfeld
was .hurriediy bundled into wagon, his
captors fired volley up and down the
street 10 intimidate the citizens, and the
lash was applied to the horses backs and