Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-12
TELLS Of HOLDUP
IN THE YOSEMITE
FOREST SUPERVISOR LUKENS
SAVED HIS MONEY
Pasadena Bridal Couple Shared In the
Recent Valley HoIdup Incident.
Bridegroom Sees the
Humor of II
Pasadena Agency,
i6h East Colorado Street.
Telephone Main 1852.

PASADENA, July 11.-Mrs. Helen
Lukens Gaut has received a very in
terestlng letter from her father, Hon.
7. p. Lul<ens, now with his wife In the
vicinity OF the Yosemite valley on their
wedding trip.
He describes very graphically the ex-
perience of being held up, he and Mrs.
Lukens having been with the coaching
parties held UP by lone bandit last
Friday thirteen miles from the Wanona
hotel 1t appears that Mr.. Lukens in
some way managed to save the bulk of
his money from the rapacious clutch Of
the highwayman. losing o more than
$40 and his gold watch He does not
tell how this was accomplished.
After telling of the experiences of the
day up to the time of the hold-up, Mr.
Lukens goes on to say:
I'VE rounded a short turn in the
road and there, lined up, were the
stages, the passengers on the ground
in a long line, paying some sort Of
game, with a gentleman of the road as
director. He directed the movements
of his scholars with n Winchester,
which he handled with perfect grace.
Informal Meeting
I'm introducing himself to me he
neglected to give his name.
I'm most accommodating fashion he
held his Winchester so ] could look
down the barrel 1t was clean and
bright and was pretty sight.
"He suggested | show him the palms
of my hands held above my head. That
made me think he might be glove
maker preparing to take my measure
just for a little wedding present. AS
his eyes cought mine he lowered his
pointer quickly and asked me where
was from. l told him Pasadena.
Yes? Pasadena is it % he said. Then
he ordered me to put down my hands
into my pockets.
This l did, bringing out my purse
and my loose silver l reached to de-
post the same in his great brawny
hand which was about the size of a
church collection plate. AS l let go his
fingers parted. He turned away, sug-
costing that [ pick up the money l had
let fall and turn 1t over to his partner,
who was none other than one of the
passengers, C. M. McStay of Los An
geles. He had selected Mr.. McStay
from among the forty-seven victims as
the most 7mpetent for the position.
mrs. McStay Assisted
"Mr. McStay was ably assisted by his
lovely wife, who in her love for her hus-
hand refused to let him attempt the
undertaking alone | forgot to say that
neither of these assistants were under
pay.
Il now took my place at the foot of
the class, because l had dropped my
money in the dirt The gentleman with
the pointer stood at the lower bend of
the road where he could see up and
down for a long distance. When all
We're in place he called out in thunder
ing tones to Mr.. MCSfay.
" Now, sir get a move on you. Pick
their pockets and put the stuff at my
feet
The thorough and impartial manner
in which Mr.. McStay performed his
duties reflected great credit on Los An
geles. When his hat was filled he
emptied it at his masters feet and re-
turned for more. This was continued
until all were left with pockets empty
when Mr.. McStay announced that
all contributions were in the boss
said: All but yours With grace and
dispatch Mr.. McStay emptied his lucre
diamonds, etc, into the missionary
fund, which now aggregated fully $500
in money and as much again in iewelry
'Mr. McStay started to take his
place in line but was Informed that his
work was not done. The desperate de-
manded that he now sort out all the
which he classed tickets, private let
ters, etc. These were returned to their
respective owners.
Calls for the Box
This done, he called for the Wells
Fargo box. He ordered a we'll dressed
man to shoulder it and follow him. 1t
was certainly pleasing to note how
cheerfully everyone complied with his
requests. The Winchester was espe-
cially conducive of alacrity. When the
young man returned in a few minutes
he said orders were that no one should
move until further notice.
when at last the robbers rifle rang
out in signal everybody jumped and
felt themselves over to see if they were
dead.
Il now assumed the captainship and
ordered the procession to move, and it
moved, slowly at first, then faster and
faster.
I'VE covered the fourteen files from
the hold-up to the Wanona hotel in
mighty short time. The exact time will
never be known, as our watches were
not with u.s."
French crliser now a + Coronado