Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-14
CAPTURED A SAFE.
But the Apaches Were Not Able to
Obtain the Money Inside.

But the Apaches Were Not Able to
Obtain the Money Inside.
From the New York Sun.
1.-THE Apache Indians had hard nut to
crack when they got hold of our paymas-
ter's SAFE" said the ex-sergeant of cavalry
who was asked about his experiences in
Arizona. On this particular trip was de-
tailed with six men to escort him. He and
his clerk rode in an ambulance drawn by
mules, and, Of course, the escort were
mounted. We were in camp one night be-
tween two forts when We were jumped by
at least 100 Indians. They killed two men
before we got out, and, of course, the am
bulance was left in their hands.
1.-THE paymaster's safe contained about
81 600 in greenbacks 1t weighed something
like 400 pounds and worked with a combi-
nation. None of the redskins had ever ex-
arnined one at close quarters before, but
they all knew what 1t was hauled about
from post to post for, and, OF course, they
were anxious to get hold Of the money.
They first pounded off the knob with stones.
thinking the door could then be pried open.
1t Was failure, Of course, and then they
tried their tomahawks on the chilled steel.
hoping to cut a hole in it. They had seen
iron softened by fire. and the third move
was to give that safe a three hours roast
ing. Luckily for Uncle Sam it was fire.
proof. They threw big rocks upon it while
1t was still hot and it was dented here and
there but they were as far from the money
as ever After working away for a night
and day the safe was dragged up the side
of a mountain and tumbled over a precipice
200 feet high. They expected to see 1t burst
open. but the only damage done was to
break one of the wheels off. It was left
lying where 1t fell for three or four days
and the gang then turned and carried 1t to
the river and let it soak for a whole week.
It was thought that this would soften it up
and great was their chagrin when baffie-i
again. Then they tried gunpowder, but
knowing nothing of blasting they brought
about an explosion which burned half
dozen warriors and left the safe as good as
ever.
1.-THE Indians were fooling with that
strong box for month or more. They
roasted 1t again and they gave 1t another
fall, and no burglars ever worked harder to
get at the long green. They failed to get at
the inside, however, and In disgust they
tumbled 1t into a deep ravine and left 1t.
It was fourteen months later that peace
came and we accidentally got track of the
safe. An ambulance and guard were sent
for 1t and We found 1t lying in the bed of a
creek with great pile of driftwood piled
around 1t. 1t was a lonesome-looking old
safe, as you may suppose, and nobody had
the slightest hope that the money had es-
capped fire and water. When we got Ii to
the fort and blew off the door we found the
81 1000 as snug as you please. Some Of the
some had grown moldy from the water,
but Uncle Sam redeemed every dollar and
the paymaster was made happy again.
When the Apaches heard OF our getting the
money one of them, who had worked hard
est on the safe, growled at me:
White man some fool, Indian more fool.
and iron box great big DIN foolg"