The San Francisco call., 1907-06-25
WHITE masked BANDIT
HOLDS UP TWO STAGES
Yosemite Coaches Robbed
Again While Bound
for Valley
POSSE IS IN PURSUIT
Highwayrnan Believed to Be
After Money on Way to
Pay Soldiers
POSSE IS IN PURSUIT
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

FRESNO. Cal, June ga dispatch
received from Berenda tonight stated
that the lone highwayman who held UP
two of the Yosemite stages obtained
$50 from the passengers. The stages.
which were trailing each other and
bound for the valley, were halted at
1880 this morning. The robber wore
a white mask and had a new rife. He
appeared nervous and 1t is not be-
lieved that he is the same man who
held up the stage near Ahwahnee few
days ago.
The sheriffs of Fresno. MADEIRA, Mer-
ced and Ruolumne counties are work
ing together in an effort to catch the
highWayman.
The Washburn stage company has
the contract to carry the money to pay
the government troops now in the val
ley. There are two companies of
troops in the valley and the monthly
payroll amounts to large sum. IT is
believed by the officers that the robber
is after this money.
A masked man stepped from the
bushes suddenly before Driver Gordon.
who was held up on the same trail
last Wednesday. The driver stopped
without resistance, and the passenge
were forced to get out. Many OF the
passengers were almost hysterical
from fright and gave up their posses
sions without a struggle.
E. H. Torpey of San Francisco was
forced to take up the collection He
turned in all of his money with the
exception of wallet containing $50 in
an inside pocket. He said that he for
got about this because he was so badly
frightened. Torpey passed around the
hat, but omitted some of the ladies'
with unnoticed gallantry. The robber
was very nervous. and new at the bust
ness. He is not supposed to be the same
bandit that held up the other stages, as
that man was very cool in manner.
The holdup man was about feet 10
inches tall and of slim build. He wore
a red bandana handkerchief about his
neck and a blue handkerchief over his
lower face. He wore above this q
white linen mask. He had a new gun
and wore blue overalls and jumper. He
had long, slim hands, worn by toll.
The second stage was halted as the
first. Driver Ashbrook stopped with
out resistance. The man refused to
take anything but money. The first
stage drove quickly on to Grub Gulch
and two men were sent back to searcn
for the robber. These, John Bates and
Charles Lyons, went back to the scene
of the holdup, which they reached In
side of half an hour from the time of
the ROBBERY. Iney found several
clews.
Lyons, while wandering about the
canyon the day before on a pleasure
trip, found deserted camp near Coarse
Gold. The neighbors said that after
the hold up the robber ran in this di-
rection. On reaching the camp Lyons
and Bates found some sandwiches
wrapped up in paper and other pro-
visions, but no trace of the holdup
man.
Sheriff Prouty of MADEIRA had passed
up the road shortly after the hold up
in search of information about the
previous robbery. He was notified, and
is now on the trail. The sheriffs of
MADEIRA, Merced. Mariposa and Fresno
counties are working in conjunction on
the case. The mans trail could not be
traced we'll because he wore sacks over
his feet. The largest amount Of money
taken from a single passenger was $50