Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-01-31
CAR FACED CHARLEY

There were eight Of us outside and
inside the Deadwood coach, including
woman, Mrs. Bushrod, when Scar
Faced Charley robbed us.
1t was 3 o'clock In the afternoon, and
we were skirting foothills covered
with pine scrub, when Scar Faced
Charley stepped out of the bushes,
lifted double barreled shotgun to
his shoulder and called upon the driver
to pull up. think all four Of us on
top Of the coach made motion for our
guns, but the driver yelled at us:
"Stop that, you cussed fools! Do you
want to be blown to kingdom conner
Scar Face was at that time a man Of
about thirty, rather picturesQuely at
tired. and, as he was clean shaven he
looked more like a faro man than a
highway robber. There was a smile
on his face as he looked up, but some
thing warned you that it was smile
that could come off mighty sudden If
things did not go his way. He took
look into the coach and then stepped |
back and said:
Nov, gentlemen, let's have no fuss |
over this thing. You up there get |
down, and you inside come out and
form in line and put your hands up.
OF course, the lady is not included"
None Of us saw chance to get in a
shot while we were lining up, and once |
on the ground 1t was too late. He pass
ed to the rear Of us and removed our
shooters and tossed them into the
bushes. The driver was permitted to
retain his seat. He had no treasure
box, and the mails were not asked for.
'NOw, gentlemen" said Scar Face in
his breezy way, II shall pass in front
Of you with my hat, and you will drop
in watches and purses. l put you
on your honor. If 1 afterward discover
that any one has held anything back
It will be bad for him."
One of the insiders was a Jew. He
had big roll, and Swimming of about
$50 he handed the rest to the woman
to take care Of After the contribution
the bandit stopped in front Of Mr..
ISaacs and said:
"You are keeping something back"
$50 help me gracious, I'm not"
Don't lie. Where Is your rolf"
All this time Mrs. Bushrod had been
quiet spectator, though she was boil
ing over with anger at the idea of our
letting single man rob the eight Of us.
She had to say something or burst,
and, shaking tire Jews roll out Of the
window, she called out:
"Yes; here is his money, and I'd like
to see you get 1t! I've also got some Of
my own, but you'll never get dollar
of 1t into your dirty fingers"
Up to this time Scar Face had never
robbed woman. If the widow had
kept her tongue still she would have
been treated with chivalry, but once
started she let her temper run away
with her. She gave the bandit a great
tongue flashing, and a part Of her re-
marks included us. He gave her Eve ,,
seeming to be amused and
yet resolved, and when she paused for :
breath he advanced to the coach,
thrust the barrels Of the guu through .
the window and within a foot Of her :
nose and said:
'Hand me over every dollar you have
got about you or you won't live ten :
She went deadly white and handed
over, and as near as 1 could make out
she was In a swoon for the next five
The bandit got a fine haul
and was well pleased. When he had
locketed the plumber he said:
Il shall now bid you goodby, gentle
men. Let no one move for the next
I've minutes. Then you may resume
your journey" =.
He bowed and stepped aside into the =
Scrub, and we looked at each other In =
/ foolish way. After three or four =
minutes the driver told us to get In, :
Ind it was then that the widow got out. !.
She had recovered from Ler swoon, and II
Ter face was fiery red instead Of death q
y pale. o
"Look here, you pack Of poltroons,
Ire you going to let that scoundrel
ret away with all our money!" she ex- {
as she looked from one to the
,ther. .
'But what can we do?" asked one. b
do? Do? Why, you towards. you y
AN follow him up and capture himw
None Of us saw it that way and took !"
'ur places. The driver called to the u
woman to get in. but she turned on hia y
With: Il
"Go on with your towards! I'm GO '
ng to follow that robber to the ends. q ~
he earth but what get my money p
'ackw o
With that she headed straight into
he scrub on the robbers trail, and aft i,
r waiting for her five minutes and ''
'ainly calling to her to return the stage =
roceeded and reached Deadwood four
ours late. q,
When the story was told, the sheriff -
ook posse and started for the scene,
ut before he reached 1t they met the
Tidow walking along the road. She
Explained that she had followed the -,
obber for a mile through the scrub .,
nd then came upon him In camp. She
{ once started In to give him "gowdy," 80
nd no doubt her other effort was dis @,
ounted. She sat right down in camp.
nd said she wouldn't stir an inch until
be had her money back. He threaten h,
her and she defied him. He got up
, run away. and she grabbed hold Of w
i'm. No matter what Scar Faces ex- -,
erience had been with women, he saw III
nat he had caught Tartar in this ct
ase, and be did the sensible thing by IN
estoring her money and letting her go cc
er own way.
She arrived in Deadwood with every
Ollar of IL and her nIuck woa On high Z,