Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-11-14


of incorporated wealth. l represented
one of the running gear in this gigan-
tic mechanism; entering service as q
messenger and working up to assist
ant bookkeeper.
A band of organized bandits had
been terrorizing the northwest for
years. They made their headquarters
in a mountain retreat called Hole-in-
theWall in the Big Horn mountains in
Wyoming. 1t is u fertile valley or
basin, formed by the main range of
the Big Horn and huge cliffs. The
valley is inaccessible except by small
pass made by the Powder river A
small company could hold the pass
against an army, as it is SO narrow
in places one can reach the sides with
outstretched arms. In the mountains
are deep caves and canyons, making
the place an ideal rendezvous for those
under the ban of the law.
One of the band which infested this
itural fortress was the Curry Gang"
a., they We're called. They defied all
law and authority, and committed
crimes almost weekly in the closing
years of the nineteenth century.
All efforts at capture We're futile.
To enter the dread Hole-in-the-Wal
meant never to return, and the only
hope of the officers lay in capturing
their prizes before they could reach
their stronghold or confederates.
The Craiglin Mining Company had
felt the ruthless plundering of the out
laws, losing considerable in several
holdups and post-otlice robberies.
Their greatest loss had been incurred
paymasters of the company. They
first beat him into insensibility, then
robbed him of all treasure, including
his own belongings.
The company's mining interests were
so divergent that it had been their
habit to express large sums of money
~ distant pt.I. t.. Wi.rrc It was received
and taken to the mines. But the out
lawry had been so excessive during
this year that it had become perplex-
ing question how best to transmit
money.
When the officers were in session de-
batting the question: the news of the
Wilcox, Wyoming, holdup, in which
100000 was secured, was passed in to
them. The work of paying off at the
mines was suspended until safe plan
of delivery could be decided on. The
miners became fractions, and demand
ed immediate payment. The policy
Of the company was most just and lib
eral, and considering that the men
were demanding only their dues, they
set forth formulating plan proof
against highwaymen.
By what process of reasoning they
hit upon plan involving me, is known
to themselves alone. Howbeit, | was
informed that the company, deeming
me to be unknown to the bandits, de-
sired that l should conceal the sum
of the rebellious miners pay roll about
me and proceed to the scene of con-
tention. Word had been sent in to the
office that suspicious characters We're
in the vicinity. Owing to the intense
excitement prevailing in all localities,
the officers apprehended danger to
their paymaster No plan Of procedure
was marked out for me. | was simply
asked if | would undertake the haz-
ardous trip and urged to take every
precaution for my personal safety.
Realizing the exceeding danger of the
undertaking. sufficient allurement was
held out to make me very desirous of
it's accomplishment. l saw before me
gain, advancement, glory. The posi-
tion of secretary to the president was
vacant. This, together with a sub
stantial remuneration, was to be mine
If proved myself diplomatic enough
to circumvent the robbers A good
price was set upon each desperate,
the Union Pacific Offering $1,000 each,
dead or alive. The express company
offered like reward, and the muni-
cipal authorities had posted rewards
sufficient to send an army of men
scouting in every direction. Aside
from monetary considerations, one can
not dltdih greater SlOIy III lue hcSl
than by outwitting he lawless.
l asked for the night to consider the
proposition, and fully realized the folly
of it when the blood once more coursed
through my veins at its normal temper
ature. Two to one-no show for me.
One bandit would have it all his own
way, for my only knowledge of fire
arms consisted in the experience
gained in target practice and trap
shooting. l was always too chicken
hearted to kill things, and never en-
joyed tramping through the wilds of
nature in pursuit of harmless life.
l told my home folk, consisting of
mother and sister, of my offer and my
intention to accept it. They spent the
evening trying to dissuadc me, dwell
ing at length upon the dangers to be
encountered. l could withstand them
upon these points, but when they
struck the emotional and begged me to
consider them, | was somewhat stag
gered. Sentiment will win a man over