The Elbert County tribune., 1908-08-27
One Man ROBS
eleven STAGES
DARING AND SENSATIONAL HOLD
UP IN YELLOWSTONE MA
TIoNAL PARK.
PROTEST OF VICTIMS
UNARMEp PASSENGERS IN REsER.
vATIoN PATROLED BY Gov
EMINENT EMPLOYEES.

Lake Hotel, Yellowstone ParK, Wyo.
The most daring stage holdup in the
West for many years occurred Monday
within the boundaries of the Yellow
stone Park. The work was done by
a lone highwayman, who held up
eleven coaches and robbed 125 passen-
gers, who were absolutely helpless in
his hands, as no gum are permitted in
the park to either drivers or tourists.
From the statements of passengers
it is estimated that approximately
$4,000 in cash was obtained, drafts
worth $4,000, and other paper and
transportation, besides a rich haul in
watches and jewelry.
In all twenty-one coaches left the
Upper Geyser basin Monday morning.
The highwayman was encountered
about five miles further on at a lonely
point along the banks of spring creek,
tributary of the Fire Hole river. The
creek is lined with bushes. The first
lot of coaches, numbering seven, and
following each other closely, passed by
the place unharmed There was gap
between them and the next lot of eight
following. AS the first of the eight
came along, the highwayman stepped
from the bushes, and ordered the driv-
er to halt. He did not molest the driv
er nor any of the drivers following.
On the first seat sat B. Drew, of
Orlando, Florida, and his stepson, P. H.
Gaskin. Mr.. Drew, with the gun upon
him, was ordered to hand over"
which he did to the extent of $50.
Young Gaskin was ordered to dismount
and hold the mans sack. This he did
at the point of gun. all along the
1tv,x - h. At. .I.A I.,sxr
er was warned not to start his team
or he would be shot.
In one of the otler coaches Forest
Stevens of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania.
gave a nervous laugh, which seemed
to enrage the bandit, and he was Or
dered to dismount and accompany the
highwayman. He started to go around
the rig but was summarily ordered to
come back and got a whack over the
head with the barrel of the rifle for
his pains
When the last of the eight coaches
was reached the highwayman re-
marked that he he had a good mind
to shoot him anyway. and did fire a
shot over his head. Then both were
ordered back to their rig and the driv-
ers were ordered to move on. These
eight coaches had scarcely gone when
gone through in like manner. In
one of these coaches was M. L. Walk
er. an Oklahoma banker. He had $10,-
900 in drafts in his pocket book and
tried to conceal this under the seat.
The robber saw him and ordered him
to bring it forward. Mr.. Walker asked
for his drafts and transportation back.
but they were contemptuously thrown
into the bushes with the remark that
he would have done so If he had not
tried to hide his money.
The last coach contained five young
ladies. The highwayman obtained
very little from them. but stopped
long enough to appropriate some can
dy.
In all about 1875 people were held
up, though not all of these suffered
loss. When he ordered the drivers to
move on, the bandit stood few min
utes with his gun pointed towards
them and then walked down the road.
AS quickly as possible after a tele-
phone was reached at Thumb Station,
word was sent to the soldiers and
detail started after him.
The man is described as about five
feet eight inches. blush gray eyes,
bristly gray whiskers, and acted either
as a man who was short of breath or
a consumptive. He understood Ger
man. as he answered questions asked
him in that language. He had on blu
ish-brown overalls, brown shirt, soft
felt hat. and carried an automatic rifle
and used smokeless powder.
At meeting of the victims Monday
night resolutions were passed, with
the request that they be sent to the
Associated Press. They recite the
facts of the holdup. state that the vic
Tins were compelled by the govern
ment to travel unarmed. and call upon
Uncle Sam, through Secretary Gar
field, to recoup their losses in the
robbery.