The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-23

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young man named Henry Madison. made him
self famous in the Territories for his nerve.
The coach was rumbling along close to where
the copper mines OF Lockett have since been
discovered. 1t was late in the afternoon. Sud
denly some one outside called "Halt!' The
driver tried to get his gun to his shoulder, but
was shot 80 that he nearly rolled of the box.
Tho coach came to a stop. The bandit. this
time an armed and unmarked one. demanded
In the usual way that every one get out. Sew
eral men did so. Young Madison demurely
followed As he stepped down he apparently
tripped and fell. With an exclamation OF pain
he leaned back against the coach as II half
fainting. He saw his chance Thu bandit had
turned his head to observe the restless horses.
Madison enatched up q stakeholder from the
coach floor and shot the bandit through the
chest in a fraction OF a second. Tho bandit fell
backward. TIL assistant. who stood near the
horses heads. turned to see who had shot his
companion. At that second another passenger.
who had not got out OF the coach and had
found n peephole through the canvas front
from which he had a view Of thing ahead OF
the vehicle. shot the assistant down. Madison.
from his place at the coach step. finished the
assistant with another shot.
1t has always been a matter OF conjecture
among the old-time Tombstone people what
WYNN pOCh III ootSoblo vi tto "
had there been q dozen or 80 concealed con-
federates about the spot where the stage coach
was stopped. But It aeems there were only
two robbers there this time. and all their talk
about partners who were hidden near with
cooked rifles In their hands was q blun. The
bandit at the horses heads was dead when the
stage passengers reached him. and the other
was taken to Fort Bowie. where ne died q day
or two later. The drivers arm was so badly
wounded that II had to be amputated. Richard
Grid gave him a gold watch and a Job in the
mining company's ONCE. There was $4,000
OF bullion In the treasure box on that trip.
There was even some humor among the
hiRhwaymen who used to lie in wait for the
Tombstone stage coaches. Mrs. Richard Gird.
wife OF the millionaire owner OF the original
Tombstone mine and now a resident OF San
Francisco. has told many times Of an experi-
ence abe and several Of her Tombstone women
friends had once in a hold-up.
There were eight passengers in the coach"
said Mrs. Grid. and four Of them were women.
wives OF the mining operators. We were going
to Ell Paso to have charge OF ithe Tombstone
mining exhibit there for a fortnight. It was
Just at the edge OF the evening when the
coach swung around q bend among the foot
hills In the San Rita Mountains. and there
were three masked men standing with guns In
hand. One man had Q bead drawn on the
driver. another stood ready to shoot any one In
the coach who might make a demonstra-
ton. while the third was evidently to be
the spokesman and general manager Of
the bandit party. We had prepared for any
possible hold-up by not taxing any unneces-
sary money with us. and we had been assured
that the express company's treasure box con-
tanned only company papers and some sample
chunks Of ore. Therefore We had arranged It
-, - 80. n NI-on - - Is -Nk A.. IAA~k .>.l-A
ance II robbers should wish to see us. and We
we're not very much worried when the masked
man did call to our driver 70 stop. The coach
curtains were down and we were trying to
sleep as best we could In our cramped positions.
well. what yer got? p called the speaking
outlaw when our coach came to a halt. he was
evidently panied to sec the stage 80 closed to
his view.
"Only two whiskey agents. q gambler and
four old hens replied the driver with a depre-
catory air.
"'You lie.' said the masked speaker. i've
been in this here business too long,
Hope to die. Look In and see for yourself
answered the driver.
But peerinR into q covered stage coach was
dangerous work for any hiehwayman. A few
green men in the profession had been shot
dead In the Territory by passengers from the
inside by such fool work on tho highway.
Tho three highwaymen evidently thought they
had struck something pretty rich. and they
certainly we're experienced In their operations.
THE driver was told to stand up and hold
his hands above his head. The spokesman
told his usual tale about concealed comrades
all about. The two assisting masked men
backed of to one side OF the road. and from be-
hind a boulder had a full sweep Of the locality
with their rifles. and. at the same time. protect
ed their own bodies. It was plain that the
speaking outlaw felt that the gang was going
to make the prize hold-up Of its existence. He
Rripped his rife and strained every nerve to do
quick and sure work II the occasion demanded.
He fairly shook with excitement. Imagine
then how he felt when four travel-staine
middle-aged women In cheap calico gowns,
a Catholic priest. a blacksmith. q dentist
and a disreputable-l looking old prospector all
filed down and out Of the coach with our hands
W. and looking as II we Just had barrels OF
coin about US. There was no more show OF
fight In our party than there is IN a wet cat.
One OF the women could hardly keep her face
straight. 1t seemed so ridiculous to make such
a fuss and preparation to rob US and to guard
against any shooting by US. Our very appear
ance showed that we had nothing to save from
robbers and that We were Indifferent to any
hold up.
Il have often wished that I might have seen
the face OF the leader OF the gang. but his mask
concealed that. We did. however. hear him
swear a blue streak. He just stood there and
rolled out a string OF oaths when he realized
that he and his partners had struck the poorest
coach load Of passenRers'that way in months.
80 You're a fine lot OF folks to 60 travelin'.
amt yep he said. I'd be ashamed to ask
bread from such a measly. scrubby set as ye
are like. Why. ye amt even got on silver
watches. and ye amt worth wastin' powder
and shot on. A preacher and women to hold ur
after all our work to do this Job right
"One OF the men from behind the boulders
called out to the leader to go through the mons
clothes. anyhow. while he tthe man behind the
rock kept a RunsiGht on the party. The leader
told the blacksmith to turn his pocket inside
out. and to show whether he had a leather belt
on. When the blacksmith meekly showed uu
five or six dollars. the speaking bandit OK.
claimed:
"'Oh. this is the meanest crowd that ever
travelled this way. Keen your small change
and get back in the coach and get out as fast as
you can
THE stage driver actually snickered at the