The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-06
PARDON MOI JUST
Philadelphia Protests Against
Pardon of the YOungers.
ARE REAL VILLAINS
Tells of His Experience in
Kansas on Stage Ride.

Indianapolis. Sept 5.-George W. YeageI
Of this city is one man who is silently
protesting against the recent pardoning
of the Younger brothers. Though thirty
years have elapsed since he met the des-
peradoes in the far west and reluctantly
surrendered his money and valuables. the
memory at that night Is still fresh.
In 1870 Mr.. Yeager left Chicago in June
to travel to Wichita. He went as far as
Emporia, Kans., by rail and was to travel
the remaining 10 miles by stage. His
stagecoach companions were a real es-
tate man named Baxter. and a bride and
bridegroom, two Onions and their wives,
two brothers who were going to open q
saloon at Wichita, an ex-army officer and
a Catholic priest.
The party left Emporia IN the afternoon
in a coach drawn by six horses and
driven by one of the Oldest drivers in the
West, Charles Wilson, known along the
road as three-hngered Bill, because he
had lost thumb and one finger in a hold
up several years before. Wilson was
known as hard drinker, but as it was
said that he drove best when drunkest.
the passengers felt no alarm because OF
his frequent potations was cut short.
The party reached Cottonwood Falls
late in the evening, and it was nearly 8
o'clock before they had eaten supper and
started again on their journey. Then the
party was Joined by another person, who
climbed up and took a seat by the driver.
He was tall. well built and wore a SLOUGH
hat and a tight-fiiting black suit. His
beard was cut short.
Il should judge we had Travelled half
the distance to Ell Dorado, our next stop,
by 10 O'clock" says Yeager. The Cath
ole priest and the women passengers
were doing, conversation had ceased and
I was trying to sleep when the stage
came to a sudden halt. For moment
everything was quiet, and then light
was flashed into the coach on Ell Their side
and we were gruffly ordered to tumble
out. Mr.. Baxter ventured the guess that
we had a breakdown, and none of US sus-
pected the truth till a man on the out
side struck a revolver in and said:
Tumble out, and don't be all night
about it."
LAS I stepped out sight met my eyes
that made cold chill run down my back.
At the head of the first team of horses
stood a man who held them by the brides
while on the drivers seat sat three-fin-
gered Bill his hands high in the air,
while the stranger was holding a revolver
at his head with one hand and throwing
the mail pouches to the ground with the
other. The moon was shining and two re-
volvers in the hands Of one of the ruf1ans
glistened in the moonlight.
I'VE stood in a row with our hands in
the air while another of the gang went
through each mans clothes. The robber
took the jewelry worn by the women, even
to their earrings. Not a word was spoken
and though it seemed an age to US, it
could not have been but a few moments
before we were ordered to get back into
the coach.
And do it quick. was the command Of
the robber.
LAS soon as we were seated the man
on the stage climbed down and gave VIII
son an order to drive on. AS he started
some one cried out When you get to
FL Dorado tell Hank Green that Bob
Younger rode on the seat with you for
fifteen miles. Green was manager Of the
Southern Overland.
THE loss to the passengers was com
plete. for the robbers, got every cent they
carried and all the jewelry worn by the
women. When we reached Ell Dorado Bob
Youngers message was delivered and we
all bore testimony TO its truth. Wilson
told the story Of the strangers talking
to him pleasantly all the way till the "a
vine was reached and then suddenly put
ing pistol to his head and commanding
him to rein up his team.
"a party at once organized to go after
the ROBBERS. and no doubt was expressed
that it was really the Youngers who
had held up the coach. Their reputation
was not as widespread then as it was
lfterward. but even then they were known
as desperate outlaws. What do / think
Of their release? don't think they de-
served pardon at all The James and
Younger gangs committed many murders /
In cold blood and they ought 10 suffer
for then"