Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-10-03
ROBBERY
WAS A FAKE
Captain George H. Pettis Relates
How He Was Duped in
Santa Fe in 1858.
GAMBLERS TRICKERY
Represented He Had Been Robbed OF
Seven Bags Of Gold Dust He Had
Lost at Games.
BY CAPT. GEO. H. PETiiS.

In February 1868, found myself
proprietor of the Railroad House at
Algodones, N. M. Having left Rhode
Island, my native state, in May 1854,
yearning came over me to make
visit to the "old folks at home con-
seuuently, about the 18th OF Febru-
airy was at Santa Fe ready to start
on the stage the next day for the
land of the rising sun.
The time spoken of was before the
era of railroads in the territories, and
the means of travelling was on foot, OK
teams, horseback and by stage.
chose the quickest mode of transpor-
tation, and purchased my ticket OF
Barlow, Sanderson & Co.'S stage route.
On the evening before starting | was
approached by A. J. Cooper, who stat
ed that he was about to start East,
and having a large amount OF gold
dust in his possession, had been wait
and being informed that l was booked
for the stage to go the next day, he
asked me if l would assist him in get
ting through to St. Louis with his
valuables The stage route OF six hun
dred miles to Fort Hayes, Kan, was
infested with desperadoes, and sever
al stages had been held up by road
agents. The Indians were also bad,
and taken altogether Cooper was not
in a happy state of mind. He offered
to pay me literally if l would see him
through safely, which offer | rejected
in regard to compensation, but | as
sured him that would assist him by
all means within my power.
In 1865 there arrived in Albuquer-
que. two persons who announced
themselves as the firm OF Cooper,
Vail & Co." and they brought with
them large train of wagons, filled
with groceries, canned goods, etc, and
Immediately opened the largest whole
7 sale grocery establishment, in the
territory south OF Santa Fe. The firm
consisted of Mr. Vail, OF Cincinnati
Ohio, who had furnished the money
for the enterprise, and Mr.. Cooper,
was the manager of the same. Busl-
ness had been fairly successful with
them, the war having ended, they
concluded to purchase no more goods
in the East and would gradually close
Iup business. Some time in 1867, Mr..
Vail returned home, and Mrs. Cooper
moved all the goods left to Pinos Al
tos, in the southern part OF the Ter
ritory, where eventually all the goods
we're disposed of, he receiving there
for. in addition to money, a consider
able amount OF 60. dust something
!, over three hundred ounces. Mr.. CooI,-
err returned to Santa Fe, On his way
East
We accordingly left Santa Fe, on
the morning spoken of, and arrived at
Fort Hayes without incident, and ex-
perienced great relief on getting into
railroad car, the first one l had
seen in nearly fifteen years, and turn
: ing two seats facing each other, we
deposited the valise upon the floor,
o where our feet would be upon it, and
placing our rifles, six-shooters, ana
ammunition where they would be
+ handy in case of need, now felt assur-
ed of reaching ST. Louis in safety. Be
, fore starting from here, Cooper as
sured me of his being possessed OF the
gold dust, by opening his vaiise and
, cnugly laid away, in his extra cloth
, ing. were seven buckskin bags, each
about eight inches long, such as are
used in mining regions for safety and
TRANSPORTATION of gold dust. We en-
| joyed a pleasant ride all of that day
and the following night We each en-
) ioyed, alternately a good sleep, some
thing we had been deprived of since
we left Santa Fe, and early on the
a morning of February %, we hauled
into the station of Herman, on the
n Missouri Pacific en- route to St. Louis,
where we were to have breakfast, ex-
:, pecting to reach st. Louis at IL O'Clock
noon, the same day. Although it was
Il not my turn to leave the car, Cooper
insisted, as it was the last meal, anu
r our destination was so near at hand,
that | should get my breakfast at the
station, while he would remain in the
= car. l accordingly proceeded to the
lunch room, which was considerable
distance from the train, and was eat
n ing breakfast when l saw Cooper
come in, and saying to me that he did
not believe there was any danger now
% sat down and ordered his breakfast.
: quickly finished my repast, and hur
e ried to the car, and upon entering,
!. Immediately found that there Wa
Continued on page seven.)