The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1902-09-09
IN FORMER DAYS.
How WelIs-fargo Held Up Highwaymen and
Recovered q Loss,

NStUNCICu y L0SS.
The lone h~ighwayman at Tonopah
brings to mind the early lays of Phoebe.
when the boys at the edge of town would
hold up the stage, rob the treasure
box, turn the stage back Always, then
come in town and gamble off the stolen
money before the stage arrived. This
used to be the regular weekly amusement
for the boys.
But Wells-Fargo's Express Company
got even on the boys. 1t was late in ~.
Hank Givens and three of his pals rob-
bed the stage below town, and among
other things in the treasure box was a
gold watch and chain that the miners of
the American Flag had purchased in
San Francisco for the purpose of pre-
senting to John James the superintend-
ent.
Suspicion pointed to Owens and his
pals, and surroundings made them feel
uncomfortable. but no positive proof
could be obtained against any of them,
yet they thought it best to go in search
of pastures new, SO they quietly fitted
out for a prospecting trip and went south
and over into California. Wells-Fargo
kept a detective on their track, who fin
ally obtained proof in California thai
was got together and went after the
boys. They were chased up in the Pana-
mint mountains, and they got up high in
the hills. AT hat time these mountains
had not been explored, and the posse, be-
ing without water, was afraid to venture
further into the hills for fear of famish-
Ing, and returned. Nothing was heard or
seen of the robbers for months and it
was believed that they had left the coun-
try.
While in the hills the robbers found
good float, and discovering that they
were not being pursued they devoted their
time to prospecting and found good
lodges. They worked faithfully and open
ed UP their mines, among which were
the Zones Wonder" Stewart Wonder
and other claims, and finally it got nois-
ed about that the men had valuable pro-
perty, which they sold TO Senator Jones
and others for s100, 900. When it was
itbi ny AA1 tABitS company that
these men had valuable mines they were
not molested.
As was always the way those days, af-
ter successful prospectors sold their
claims. the first thing they did was to
go to San Francisco and nave a grand
blowout Givens and his pals spent sew
eral days in the city. throwing money at
the birds and treating everybody.
When it was thought that the now
plethoric prospectors had INDUCED in suf-
ficient amusement, a friend of theirs in
vited them into private apartments,
where several officers appeared and ar
rested the whole gang. The boys were
highly indignant at being accused of
such a charge, and protested their inno-
cence; but upon being searched a watch
was found on one of them and on the
inside of the case was inscribed: Pre-
scented to John James by the Miners of
the American Flag They hung their
heads and blushed for the man who
would wear a stolen watch.
1t was now Wells-Fargo's turn to per-
GERS of the company demanded the i'm
mediate payment of $40, 600, or else the
company would have them all sent to
the penitentiary. The money was paid
and the boys ven on having a good time
for several months. when they got broke
and had to get back to the hills again.
Phoebe Record.