The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1922-11-10
OROVILLE, WASHINGTON, FRIDAY. \

| 'he route unbeknown to himself and
one Sunday afternoon Camp Mckinney
received notice that their man must
De somewhere In the vicinity of the
mine. The men had heard of the impo-
sition on them by Roderick's feigned
sickness, and they sized him up as
without doubt the robber who got the
soid, and were anxious to see his face
again, especially those who ;,ad con-
tributed literally to his getaway.
superintendent Keene posted his
men to guard every approach to the
camp. In the dusk of the autumn even
ing Thomas Graham and an Indian
VINO was with him on guard saw a
rider on horse Roderick was report
ed to have bought. He was going to-
wards the camp and got by before
Graham had a chance to intercept
him. Graham scribbled note of warn
ing and sent 1t into the camp over
short cut by the Indian. Keene got
that note and made the Indian start
back with him at once to the point
where the horseman nad been sighted.
Keene found Graham but the man had
vanished somewhere along the trail.
The indian was sent out through the
woods to locate the horse and rider II
possible, while Keene and Graslam
crouched In the brush and waited.
At first the two watchers thought
a noise they heard was made by the
returning Indian, but they were taxi
ing no chances. SO they separated
noiselessly and let the horse pass be-
tween them. Roderick was on foot
leading the animal. Keene stood like
post until the horse was against him.
He recognized the animal from the de-
scription sent on in advance, but Rod
erick was only bulk in the dark,
grouping along the trail.
rs that you Matt?" Keene called
out
Roderick stopped dumbfounded by
voice apparently coming out of the
darkness at his side.
He hesitated and then answered
Yes"
Vita the answer Keene heard the
metallic click Of Winchester lever
and the clip of cartridge thrown into
the barrel from the magazine.
Keene's professional reputation as
a mine superintendent had been at
stake heretofore. He suddenly realized
now that his life hung in the balance.
He could not see the searching muz-
zle that Roderick was endeavoring to
fasten on him in the gloom but the
click of tie rifle had told him what to
expect.
The rest was instinct The superin-
tendent's revolver leaped from his belt
and spat fire into the night. In the
flash he saw Rderick's face and the
Of his rifle almost at his breast.
But there was a bullet in Roderick's
heart. The hunt was ended and the
mystery of the Cariboo mine robbery
explained.
The investigation by the torchlight
revealed the evidence. Roderick wore
a heavy canvas belt under his shirt
with straps over the shoulders and
pecter to carry out what was left OF
the stolen bullion. He was armed with
a Winchester and a revolver. Both the
weapons were rusty and decorated
with pine needles from having been
hidden in the forest. 1t was their con-
dition and neglect that probably saved
Keene's life when he halted Roderick
on the trail.
Firm all indications Roderick was
near his cashe when he encountered
Keene's challenge. He was provided
with candles and had an ore sack
ready. And in one of his pockets he
carried will, giving all ne possessed
to his wife,
The owners Of the Cariboo found out
that much, but neither they nor any
one else have ever been able to locate
the lost cashe that Roderick was look
ing for when the bullet from Keene's
revolver ended his quest with his life.
1t was the first bullion nold-up in the
district-and the last.