Fergus County Democrat., 1908-09-01
lone PARK BANDIT
MAKES GREAT HAUL
HIGHWAYMAN HOLDS UP ONE
HUNDRED FIFTY PEOPLE
IN PARK.

Livingston, Aug. 25.-The total loss
to the passengers in the 16 coaches
held up yesterday in the Yellowstone
park by the lone highwayman is now
placed at $4,000 in money and an
equal value in watches and jewelry.
The robber has not been appre-
hended, although Major Allen and a
detachment of soldiers and scouts
have been on the trail all night The
chances for his escape are good, as
the point where the holdup occurred
is near the Jackson Hole country, fa-
nous as refuge for criminals, and
is reached from that part of the park
| by several different routes. This,
combined with the start of the bandit,
gained while the coaches were MAX
ing the drive of Is miles to the lake,
makes his escape seem almost cer-
tain.
Reward Offered.
On their arrival at the lake the vic
tins notified the troops asd search
was at once instituted, and later with
reinforcements from Fort Yellow
stone, it was vigorously prosecuted
under the personal supervisor of
General Young, who commands the
park garrison. A reward of ST 900
was also voted but no clew has been
found
The story of the holdup which has
reached Livingston, the nearest point
on the Northern Pacific railroad, is as
follows:
Sixteen coaches, travelling in a
string, were halted, each in turn, and
one lone highwayman with two very
large and business-like six shooters,
relieved the touring passengers of
their money, jewelry and watches.
The smoothness with which the out
law planned his work showed him to
be master hand at his business and
his GOODNESS and determination with
which he executed his plans lett
nothing for the sightseers to do but
to stand and deliver. The scene Of
the holdup was particularly we'll
chosen, both for natural advantage
and cover during the robberies, and
for the escape which was so success
full after the last plundered coach had
been sent on its way.
From Old Faithful inn to Lake Vel
lowstone is 10 miles, through the
widest and most deserted part of the
park. 1t was on this part of the road
that the highwayman chose his am
bush.
Road Very Narrow.
Four miles south Old Faithful road
sweeps a clear and straight road for
another half mile unobstructed by
turns or dips. The road at this point
is narrow, being bounded on one side
by high cliff and on the other by a
deep gulch. 1t was at the turn that
the robbery occurred. AS the first
coach wheeled carefully around the
sharp point roughly dressed man
dropped into the road beside the
wheel team, a bandana handkerchief
covering his face below the eyes and
two heavy Colts looking like Krupp
cannons met the startled gaze of
driver and passengers. The curt COM
mand to halt and climb down was
promptly complied with. The stop
was made, as was noted by an OBJ
servant tourist, 80 that the back wheel
just touched a small log fastened
across the road. This stopped the
coach in such manner that all but
the rear wheels were hidden by a
rocky point. The driver and pas
sengers, as they descended, stepped
out of sight of the following coaches
the occupants of which suspected that
only an ordinary stop had been made
20 view the wonderful scenery.
Each Coach Halted.
Each coach at this turn halted and
slowly, one at time, swung around
the corner to face the robbers gun
At the command of the bandit the
trembling passengers promptly step
ped down and lisgorged. Each coach
after its passengers were stripped O.
! valuables, was ordered to move or
at trot, which command was addet
!; the caution to the passengers not t.
turn and try any funny business, al
they would be in sight for lont
) time, and his rifle was a long-dis
tance weapon and beautifully accurate
The highwayman's friendly advice wa
cody received, and as he disposed o
the last of the long string of coache
. he impaired to the occupants of tn
! last one the cheerful information tina
he would watch the back trail for on
hour, and travel over it in the direc
: ton of Old Faithful would be any
) thing but healthy for them to return
This advice was listened to and tn
string OF coaches travelled on. Of tn
$ l6 coaches, four were Yellowston
: Park Transportation company We
:. hicles, five were Monida coaches an
: nine were Wylie Camping compan
r vehicles. There were several prom
o nent nersons in the nartx and th