The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-03-31
Shelton Post-OfIice Robbery.

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crackers" until early Saturday morn
ing, when the safe in the post-office
was blown open, and its contents rif1ed.
When Postmaste AL. J. Munson came
down that morning, he immediately
noticed the smell of powder, and a
| hasty examinat alton revealed the safe
forced open and mail matter and pa
pers strewn over the floor. About
5000 in cash, including postal and
private funds were missing and three
holes bored into the safe showed plain
| ly how the trick was done.
A few days before Marcy's safe at
Montesano had been blown, and Sheriff
Huff, of Chehalis County, had sent
word to Shelton Friday afternoon.
Four men, answering the description
sent had been around town that day
and had then left for Union City.
They were camped in the old mill, and
the City people, not liking their ap-
pearance, had ordered the party to
move on, and saw that they did so.
Sheriff Vogtlin learned by phone
they were there and Immediately left
for the City but finding them gone,
started back on their trail, with a
party from theCity. At Webb's the
robbers stole horse and buggy and
drove to the hill above Shelton, when
they started the rig back alone, it be-
ing met by our party. During the
night Sheriff Huff arrived and was
around with the night watch Horton
all night. Early in the morning they
encountered the four robbers on their
way out of town not being aware of
robbery few minutes before, and the
Sheriff evidently not wanting to tackle
the men very bad, claiming they were
not the ones wanted. However that
may be, they were allowed to go. (The
captured robber says his party intend
ed to make short work Of the officers,
if mo1ested.)
liz PAOSlOd OSCCullCo dOOul O.fO,
and was heard by number sleeping
near the post-office, but did not attract
especial attention. Two men did the
work, while the others remained on
guard. After making their haul the
party went toward Kami1che, and one
of their number bought some grub at
the store there. AS soon as the news
of the local robbery became known,
Sheriff Vogtlin organized man-hunt
and started for the woods south of
Kamilche, where the robbers were
supposed to be in hiding, guarding ali
the roads and points during the day
The idea that the robbers would stay
close and sleep during the day was
correct, as about7 o'clock they took
the Olympia road on top of Kamilche
hill. They had reached the crossing
of the HardscrabbIe road, few rods
on their way, when the cry of s'ha1t''
rang out and they were confronted by
two men, Eddie McReavy and W. Mar
tin. They were very close and two of
the robbers made a rush for Eddie,
whose rifle snapped three times before
it went off and the leader was downed.
A general fusilade ensued and while
the captors were engaged with the
wounded robber, the others jumped
into the brush and got out of range.
Two hats were found covered with
grease from the candles used while
blowing the safe.
The prize was taken to Kul1rich's
store at Kamilche, and Dr. Wells was
called over to examine his injuries,
which were found to be painful but
not serious. A rifle ball had entered
back of the groin and come out at the
base of the spinal column. The bone
was grazed, as the Doctor removed a
portion of the lead. Twenty-three dol
lars in money and a drill was found
on him. Sunday afternoon he was
brought over to Shelton, and is now
confined in the steel cell at the County
Jail, safe and getting we'll. A cough
makes his wound painful.
AT first the robber refused to talk,
but he has since given his name as Ed.
A. Nolan, and told considerable about
the robbery,-calling the safe the
'softest thing he ever struck" He
does not deny his part in the affair,
but claims his party were not at Mon
tesano. The tan shoes he wore and a
cheap watch correspond with those
stolen from Marcy's. Nolan is a
medium sized man, about IS years old,
light completed with reddish hair and
inoustache. He did no shooting as he
was unable to draw his revolver before
he fell. He says one of the party was
acquainted with the country and
good shot, and cannot account for his
capture by our two men.
Sheriff Vogtlin and many volunteer
deputies continued the search for the
missing trio until Wednesday, when
they decided they had gotten out of
the country. Men were stationed as
far South as Mud Bay, and they halted
everybody. In fact, Siwash rode
into Olympia Monday poste-haste and
told Sheriff Billings he saw two men
hold up stranger and relieve him of
his valuables. The sheriff came out
to investigate and found that two of
our deputies had Investigated a