The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1903-04-16

J OLD-TIME SKETCHES
sgEEGttttIEr
A SMOOTH GUY.

She was a "Oeaut. and the finest
equestrian in Leadville. Hundreds OF
old timers will remember Minnie Pur-
day. Her horse and trappings were
the finest that money could buy. Her
steed-a coal black, was imported from
Arabia-aud the two. when on parade,
made a picture which men loved 10
gaze upon. It was in the fall OF -
that this fair maiden was returning 10
LeadvilIe in a siX-hOrse coach from
Canyon CITY. The coach was crowded
with passengers-seven men and one
woman. When in lonely spot eight
men held up the coach and made the
whole outfit get out aud line up. Miss
Purdy kept her seat and laughed hear
tiIv. She said just what | expected .
50 | left my jewelry and money in Dem
yer. The robbers proceeded to search
all the men. The last one in the line
was as seedy a customer a. you would
find in hard days walk. He laughed
too. and said Gentlemen, you are
overlooking the golden treasure. If
you wish to strike it rich search Min
ME Purdy-she has money TO burn"
They took his advice and beneath
some dainty silk hosiery they secured
300 in currency. The robbers were
50 elated at their success that they
handed the seedy individual $40 to eat
on. Then they were told TO file into
the coach, and the robbers disappeared.
OF course the passengers were as mad
as hornets. Their guns, watches and
money were gone. The driver looked
into the stage and said that for two
cents he would whip the man who was
mean enough to give Minnie Purdy
away, and the passengers mixed in
and for five hours the seedy individual
was roasted TO a turn, which he took
without a word. But when they came
within sight of the station he quietly
remarked that be had few words 10
say. He asked Miss Purdy how much
she had lost, and the girl answered
that he was too contemplate to speak
TO, but finally admitted that it was
800. Then he ascertained the losses
OF the other passengers, the whole
thing amounting to 1910. Taking out
the so bill given him by the robbers,
he handed it TO the driver and said :
81 will make you a present OF this, but
when you get into town don't speak Of
it for it was taken from a poor woman
h., in, l,Al md
took out forty thousand dollars. and
told them that he got off very cheap.
He then returned to each of them the
amount of their losses. He then in
formed them that he was Chicago
detective with money sent by Levy Il.
Lcyter to pay old Billy Stevens for the
Iron Silver mine. They can stand
what you have lost, but you see | could
not make a fight and had to play my
own game to win CHS.
The report that the Rock Island has
decided to construct a line OF road di-
rect from AlomOgordo, New Mexico,
to San Diego, California, means Ari-
iona will soon have another importar:
trunk line of railroad II the Rock
Island builds direct from Alomogordo
to San Diego Independent Of other
connections it would probably pass
down the ella river from New Mexico
to Yuma. 1t would pass through
every important agricultural district
in Arizona. except the San Pedro val
ley and would reach some OF our most
important mineral districts. 1t would
pass through every town in Graham
county of any Importance except Mo-
renci. There is an impression that
the Rock Island has been seeking to
reach the coast over the FL PasO *
Southwestern and over the proposed
Phoenix and Eastern road. but such
route would not make good the state
mcnt that the Rock Islands new line
to the coast would shorten the dis
lance to the coast more than hun
dred miles, whereas this would he ac-
cOmplished over d route that followed
the ella through Arizona. There is
no doubt OF the determination of the
Rock Island people to reach the coast,
but the route to he taken has not yet
been definitely stated. Review.