The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-10-02
ODD DIAMOND STORY.
Robbers Carried Valuable Stones and
Did Not Know 1t.

There have been many interesting
tales of thrilling diamond robberles
and strange hiding places for the
loot have been discovered by IN
genuous writer's, but perhaps the
most remarkable story was tha1
related some years ago by we'll
known exponent of detective lore
of how three bold, bad robbers car
ried the valuable loot they had ell
deavored to steal about their persons
for nine days without knowing 1t was
in their possession.
AS the story runs, James tracey an
old Transvaal diamond digger hao
reached the end Of his resources
while prospecting for gold III 1he
Rocky Mountains, when he ran across
. match of familiar looking blue
Garth. in which he found imbedded
three large diamonds. the combined
value of which was about Sloo'ooV.
Having sick child whom he could
not leave, it was finally decided to
let his wife take the stones to the
nearest town for sale.
Unfortunately the discovery OF the
diamonds had got abroad, and had at-
tracted the attention of three un-
principled rogues, who were noted as
the worst of all the bad men OF the
Rockies.
After a long tramp the wife reach
od roueh mining camp about half
way to the town of her destination,
and after rebufing some insults from
the rough miners she met a smooth
faced pacifc-looking little man who
offered his assistance in such hearty
manner as to win her confidence, and
she accepted his offer.
While they were discussing her e.
rand, the three bad men rode into
camp, and after a threatening con-
troversy with Mrs. Tracey's champion,
who was warned to get out at once or
be killed, the little man spiritedly
refused and Informed the roughs that
he was Patrick Walsh, at that day
known as the quickest man on the
draw and the straightest shot in Colo
RADIO.
The three robbers were perhaps the
greatest scoundrels in the West, but
towards at heart and they refrained
from openly attacking Walsh, but de-
termined to stall him and Mrs. Tracey
as soon as they resumed their tramp
to Silvertown, where the diamods
were to be disposed of.
Said Walsh to Mrs. Tracey, "Can
you trust me?'
tI can," said she.
"Then let me have the diamonds,
will hold these scoundrels back. You
return to your husband, tell him what
you have done, and that in week or
ten days he will hear from me and
have his diamonds. If I GO he will
hear from me anyhow"
In full view of the scoundrels, Mrs.
Tracey passed over the d." monds,
bade her champion goodby and he
started back toward the mining camp.
Grimly the three robbers stalked
him until, suddenly rising from con-
cealment, he momentarily exposed
himself. A shot rang out. With
shrek Walsh fell to the ground and
lay very quiet. Cautiously approach
ing, the robbers examined the pros
trate body, declared him dead and
holstering their guns, prepared to
search for the diamonds.
Instantly three shots rang out.
Three curses and shrieks rent the
solitude. Three big forms dropped to
the ground, one shot through the
shoulder and the other two with
shot in the f1eshy part of the thigh.
Before they could recover, Walsh,
who had not been hit, frisked them of
their. guns and left.
Walsh Turns Up Safe.
Nine days later Walsh appeared at
Tracey's home. hurriedly told him
that he would get his diamonds for
him, and the two men rode down the
valley toward the mining camp, which
they entered at dusk. With their
guns leveled in front, they entered the
gambling saloon, held up the crowd
ofroughs among whom were the three
bad men, playing monte at a table.
One had his shoulder strapped up
with bandages, the other two were
each resting leg on spare chair.
Without more ado the three men
were taken from the saloon, their
arms bound to their bodies and taken
down the mountain to a half way
professional looking gentleman ar