New-York tribune., 1906-07-23
CONVICT H0LD-UP MAN.
Posto6Gce Inspectors Still Find Stage
Robbers IN Vest.
LFrom rhe rrihune Burecu.l


Washington. July 22.-Fifty severty-fve years
ago reports of stage robberes the East were not
nfrequent but with the splendid railroad facilities
of the present day the stage as a means OF con-
veyance has practically disappeared from the coun-
try east of the Rocky Mountains and even in the
Far Western states the railroads have taken the
place of the old coach to large degree In
parts of Idaho. however, and in other Far Western
states the stage coach is still used 10 transport
passengers and the United States mails and occa-
sionaly reports of stage robberes are received.
The postoffice inspector in charge of the Spokane
division recently reported the arrest and cOnvc-
ton OF John V Gideon. alias Jack Gideon. for the
nold-up OF the stage and robbery of the mails on
the star route. between Meadows and Warren,
Idaho. on the morning of July Z, 1905 TIE extreme
penalty for this offence in Idaho is life mprison
ment, and Gideon. who tried at Moscow during
the october tern: of court, found guilty and
sentenced life Imprisonment at hard labor in the
United States Penitentiary at McNeiIs Island,
Washington. Gideon is the fourth to be convicted
of this offence in Idaho in the last ten years. and
the severity of his sentence will doubtless have
good effect this class of criminals IN the Far
West
On the morning of July Z. 1865, Gideon who was
heavily armed, used his weapons upon the driver
OF the stage at lonely spot between Resort and
warren. Idaho, with such good effect that he
ceeded in getting away with ten registered pack
ages two of which contained gold bullion. mailed
by the Golden Rule Mining Company, operating
near Resort. Idaho. The two packages were worth
about $3.50 each
Up to July Gideon had been employed by the
Golden Rule Mining Company, and when the hold
w occurred the manager of the company immedi-
;ateIy suspected him OF the crime The postofice
worked 9a upon this clew. They learned that Gideon
a Iew Gays before the robbery secured a revolver
from a saloon in the neighbOrhoOd stating that he
was going on hunting trip but a few hours after
the robbery he was seen in his tent, which was
Tp and the eS on S 5he 0hn OF ne
dI2tn hat he . had been out in the weather time
Sdeon left the camp, announcing that he was go
ing INTO the mountains TO do some prospecting but
@ @talns TO the Postoffice at Hump Idaho from which
clothing. provisions. etc. addressed TO Frank Pope
Ontario Ore Pope and Gideon were old friends,
Gideon mailed a registered letter at the Hump
postof1ce, addressed to Pope. The town marshal at
an investigation, and learned from the express
agent at Ontario that Pope had received express
package from Hump. The marshal knew Pope and
the Snake River. not far from Ontario. and inter
viewed him concerning the package. Pope acknowl-
edged receiving the package and permitted the
marshal 20 examine its contents, which at that
time consisted of clothing and provisions; During
istered letter which Gideon had mailed from Hump.
containing valuable relics and requested that he
care for the same until he called for them. The
session of package. which he later turned over
to the inspectors; The package was found to be
\expressed The discrepancy in weight corresponded
almost exactly with the weight of the bullion which
had been mailed by the Golden Rule Mining Com
pany.
he had taken the bullion from the express package
and buried it about mile from his cabin and, in
company with them he visited the spot where the
bullion buried and turned it over to the nspec
tors: ,.- 49,. 10000. -,oo,.ooo - D. "a,
returned to his tent. near Resort Idaho and
shortly afterward broke camp and left that part Of
and from the evidence produced by the inspectors
he was sentenced to life Imprisonment.