The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-07-28
LIFE TERM FOR ROBBERY
Story Of John '. Gideon Serving
at MCNeipS Island
HELD UP STAGE COACH IN IDAHO
ARREST AND CONVICTION ILLUS
TRATEs CHARACTER OF
WORK OF INSPECTOR.

character of the work which is done
wear after year by the government
postoffice inspectors Gideon held up
a stage in Idaho, and at the point OF
a revolver appropriated all the valu-
ables it contained, including express
and money orders, registered letters
and gold dust. The crime was COM
mitted in July of last year, and the
case was at once put into the hands
of the postoffice inspector in charge of
the Spokane division. The holdup took
place on the star route between Mea-
dows and Warren, Idaho. The eX-
IRENE penalty for this offense in that
state is prison for life, and Gideon
is now serving his sentence at Nc
Nei's island, Washington. This is the
fourth conviction for the same offense
in Idaho within ten years. and the Sc
verify of the Gideon sentence, it is be-
lieved, will have a deterrent influence
upon criminals in that part of the
country for years to come.
Story of the Robbery.
On the morning of the 18th of July,
1905, Gideon, who was heavily armed,
used his weapons upon the driver of
the stage at a lonely spot between
Resort and Warren, Idaho, with such
good effect that he succeeded in get
ting away with ten registered pack
ages, two of which contained good bull
lion, mailed by the Golden Rule Min
ing company. operating near Resort,
Idaho. The two packages each con-
tanned about $3.50 worth Of gold bull
lion.
Up to July 5 Gideon had been en-
ployed by the Golden Rule Mining
company, and when the holdup &C.
CURED the manager of the company
Immediately suspected him of the
crime. The pOstOffice inspectors de-
ldlleu " Investigate tHe IODUeIy
worked upon this clew. They learned
that Gideon a few days before the rob-
in the neighborhood stating that he
was going out on a hunting trip, but
seen in his tent, which was located
about six miles from the scene of the
holdup and the appearance of his
| clothing indicated that he had been
out in the weather some time during
the night.
The day following the robbery Gid
con left the camp announcing that he
was going into the mountains to do
some prospecting, but instead of do
ing that he went across the mountains
to the postoffice at Hump, Idaho. from
which place he sent by express pack
age containing clothing and provis-
ions, etc, addressed to Frank Pope
Ontario, Ore. Pope and Gideon were
old friends and at the time the pack
age was sent by express Gideon mailed
a registered letter at the Hump post
office addressed to Pope.
investigation Is Begun.
Inc town marshal of Ontario, hear
ing of the stage robbery, entered upon
an investigation and learned from the
express agent at Ontario that pope
had received an express package from
hump. The marshal knew Pope and
visited his cabin, which was located
on little island in the Snake river
not far from Ontario. and interviewed
him concerning the package. Pope ac.
hnoWledged receiving the package an6
permitted the marshal to examine its
contents, which at that time consisted
VI cio'hlng and provisions. During the
interview the marshal managed to gel
The registered letter which Gideon baf
mailed from Hump and it stated tina
ne was sending Pope a package con.
tanning valuable relics, and requested
that he care for the same until h.
called for them. The marshal's susni.
clon was aroused. and he took posses.
sion OF the package which he late,
turned over to the inspectors. TIL,
package was found to be four pound,
iishter IN weight than when it wa.
expressed The discrepancy in weigh
correspondent almost exactly with tn.
weight of the bullion which had hoo,
mailed by the Golden Rule Mining com.
pany
Pope finally acknowledged to the in.
spectors that he had taken the bullio,
from the express package and bur;o,
ABOUT a mile from his cabin and ;r
company with them he visited the sno