The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-09-24
STOLE a LOAD OF SILVER.
Queer Story of a Robbery In Mexico
and Division of the Loot.

ana Division of the Loot.
The tribunal of the third circuit has
ordered the revising of the sentence
passed by the District Judge of Oaxa-
ca against the defendants in the case
of the robbery of the mail of Mihua-
tan, says the Mexican Herald.
This is one Of the most remarkable
cases in the recent criminal history
of Oaxaca. At the end of the past
year the postmaster of Mihuatian,
which has no railway communication
with the capital of the state of Oaxa-
ca, found it necessary to remit $4,000
to the postmaster at Oaxaca in order
that the latter should remit the sum
to the central office.
The mail man who daily carried the
mail between the two places was COM
missioned to take the sum In silver
coin, and was given two pack mules
upon which to have the burden trans
ported. The muleteer was at loss as
to what to do, since, in order to at
tend to either one of the mules, he
would have to allow the other to get
In the advance While on the road
glad when he was joined by trav-
eler, Juan Santos, who was with his
amasia, Antonio Alonzo.
The mail man solicited Santos to as
sist him. Santos responded promptly,
and took charge of the mule In adj
vance, while the mail man went back
to arrange the pack of the rear ami
NAL. In about this way the three trav-
elers arrived close to the city of Oaxa-
ca. Just as Santos went into Real
street with one of the mules, loaded
with silver, the mail man found 1t
necessary to remain behind to attend
to the other obstinate mule. After
waiting a long while for the mail man,
who seemed to have no intention Of
putting in an appearance, Santos and
his amasia decided to go on to the
house of Tiburcia Santos, aunt of San
tos. When they arrived at this house
they discovered that the load Of the
mule was nothing less than a fortune
In silver and they formed the con-
clusion that the mail man was thief.
1t did not take the Santos people
long to decide what to do with the
$1,000 that was In their possession.
While they were enjoying themselves
in the sight of the riches which had so
suddenly fallen to them a brother OF
Juan Santos arrived on the scene and
demanded one-half of the money. In
the quarrel which ensued this fellow
threa tened to denounce his brother to
the authorities unless his demands
were acceded to. Then Aunt Tfburcia
made bargain by which she gave
500 to each one of the persons hav-
ing knowledge of the affair and kept
the remainder for herself. Other rela-
tives came In the case and 1t was nee
essary to buy them off. One of the
neighbors also learned what was go
ing on and received a sum Of money
in consequence. After all was settled
Santos rode the mule to hill outside
the city of Oaxaca and left the animal
there.
No sooner had all the $1,000 been
divided and partially squandered than
the mailman arrived in the city very
much alarmed and sought the lost
mule and Santos. A friend Of his In
formed him of the whereabouts OF
Santos. He went Immediately to the
house Of Santos, but, getting no salts
faction, called upon the postmaster
and the authorities Of Oaxaca and In
formed them of his troubles. These
officials Immediately instituted ener-
getic methods to find the thieves and
In a short time all were aprehended
as we'll as $1,700.
The District Judge Of Oaxaca, as
result Of the trial of the accused per-
sons, sentenced them to periods of i'm
prisonment ranging from eleven
months to eight years and nine
months. Six persons were convicted.