The state herald., 1909-06-11

ana my work, on the Whole,
was decidedly interesting. |
One adventure in particu-
lar made me proud of my service for |
our company, although 1t was largely |
matter of luck that brought about |
my success in that instance. am a
firm believer in luck. for 1t plays an
important part in every mans life. and
1t has figured to large extent in my
own affairs, am free to confess.
"A daring express robbery had been
committed in the western part of the
state. near the Utah line. by three
men. The messenger had been muir
dered ard the passengers throughout
the train robbed of all their money.
The holdup men secured something
more than $4,000 from the express
company's safe and fully $4,000 from
the passengers. They took nothing
but money, however, leaving valuable
jewelry, diamonds and watches with
their owners, and ignoring the parcels
in the express car. This circumstance
showed that the gang was composed
OF experienced thieves, for money is
the hardest thing in the world TO
trace.
81 was notified of the robbery on the
afternoon of the second day after 1t &C.
Cured, and although / fastened to the
spot with all dispatch and made my
arrangement by wire, it was ICON of
the third day before ! alighted at the
nearest station. Here | had arranged
for two horses and a prospector's out
fit. deeming it best to follow the ban
dts in the disguise of miner, as the
robbery had been made at point
near the mining region of southwest
ern Colorado, and | expected TO find
the criminals at some of the numer-
Gus mining camps.
81 have never been a believer in
DISCUSSES except as to clothing. All
efforts to change the face with grease
paints and wigs and the like only tend
to attract attention and direct suspi-
sion to the man thus logged out. The
casual observer might not notice the
deception. but the criminal, and espe-
cially the hunted criminal is no cas-
ual observer. He has formed the
habit of noticing everything. and he
will detect the least false point in a
mans appearance and shun him as If
he were afflicted with the plague.
"A change OF dress will work won
ders in a mans appearance. II a
man can wear other clothes than those
he is accustomed to. and wear them
easily and naturally. he can more eff
fectually disguise himself by this
means than he can with all the wigs
and paints and whiskers in exist.
ence.
Coming across the continental d.
vide. had suffered n slight attack of
indigestion. l sent the porter after n
flask OF whisky, asking for certain
brand. He returned In few minutes
with one of the diminutive little bot.
ties customarily sold on sleeping cars
at quarter bottle. 1t was not the
kind | had ordered, but the porter ex'
planned that this was the only brand
of liquor the company sold, and had
to be content with IT, The label OF
the bottle stated that It was put W
expressly for the company.
"on reaching my destination, i'm
mediately assumed the character OF O
miner and set about my inquiry. There
was little information TO be gathered
beyond what was contained In III,
express company's report OF the rob
berry, OF which ! had carbon-copy
Satisfied that time spent here woult
be wasted. set out for the scene o.
the robbery riding n wiry little pom,
and leading another on which wal
packed my, outfit OF grub and cooking
implements and miners tools.
"The place was desolate spot. The
road ran through broad alkali val
ley which had not, at that time, beer
brought under cultivation by irriga
ton. II was easy to pick up the trai
of bandits and follow II across the val
ley In southwes,crly direction TO tn
foothills OF the Rockies, where tn
trail disappeared. the rocky groun'
leaving no trace OF footprints.
From this point on Il was to be
matter OF luck and guesswork. be
licvcd my men had made for Telluride
Ouray. Silverton or some other minin
camp. but | was not rash enough u
venture n guess MS to which II nigh
bc at that stage OF the game. Thcs
camps. with their rough, shifting pof
ulation. offered capital retreats 10
criminals, and from past experience
knew that my three rogues would
In all probability. remain In one
these camps until the excitement frof
the robbery had subsidized. and the
make for civilization 10 spend thol
money.
For three days ! drifted NJ random
through the mountains, following trail
and paths. for there were no roadi
endenyoring TO pick up some Glow o
Ind the place where my party ha
spent the frat night after tho robber,
Tho hod.up had occurred about MOOT
and. by hard riding. the three high
waymcn could penetrate some ten O
sw.,sy ,,,it.a iuia tho fuNtupnu of III