Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-01-04

and the states" to enjoy quiet life
This was in October, 1853.
The driver of the coach on which
hummer Dan took passage was MIR
Rumsey, mentioned above who con-
sented to drive one trip to Bannack to
relieve Mr.. Caldwell, one Of the owners
of the line, who had been driving
steadily for several trips, drivers be-
ing scarce, and who was played out
Three passengers were in the coach
when it pulled out from Virginia City
and at Bob Dempsey's ranch Bum
mer Dan" got on board. He had sew
eral sacks of gold dust, his whole
pile" strapped to his body under
meath his clothes. The coach went
along at a rafting pace over the wind
swept table land to Rattlesnake creek.
Arriving at Rattlesnake ranch, which
became so notorious in the following
months, they discovered that the stock
had strayed, and they were compelled
to remain over night. About o'clock
next morning one of the herders
brought in the same team they had
driven the day before, and Rumsey
had to mount the box and head the
tired horses for the divide and Ban
mack. The horses trotted heavily along
until they reached the foothills when
which no whipping could urge them.
The Bandits Attack
AS they came opposite a little dry
glllch two blanketed horSemen with
shotguns upon their shoulders galloped
out. The moment Rumsey saw them he
called to his passengers: Boys, they
are coming; get out your revolversl"
But the warning was too late, and 1t
was answered by the road agents de-
mand Throw up your hands" With
4 shotp1In leveled upon him Rumsey
pulled up the horses and was ordered
down from the box. He refused to-
leave his team. The road agent again
ordered him down and told Bill Bun
ton to mount the box and hold the
team. Bill kept crying out that he had
no arms, and continually begged the
road agents not to shoot him. RumSey
was ordered to dtsarm the passengers
and search them. He took the arms
rom the passengers and piled them up.
hummer Dan" had a navy strapped
On each side. After taking the arms
Rumsey went to the passengers and
received their purses. Dan handed him
;wo small purses. Rumsey piled them |
10 and started for the coach. 'Did you
ret alp" asked one of the agents. !
Yes" replied Rumsey, who had left
purses In several Of the passengers'
pockets. One of the passengers was
lsked If he had any more money. With /
IFS hands stiIl above his head he |
yes" Rumsey was ordered
o search him again After throwing |
Town another purse, Rumsey was or
Tered to search him again. After
hrowing down another purse, Rumsey
tarted for the coach saying he had
'ot all the money.
Tot hummer Dams Fortune
Get that big sack from hummer
)an;' unbuckle the straps; he Is the
nan we want to pan OUT Dams face
sngthened and he began to Ilnbuckle
he straps. He had hoped to escape
nth the bulk of his gold dust. Rumsey
rent to help him, but seeing that Dan
lad another sack sttll hidden, he
topped back and turning to the road
gents, told them that Dan could get
long faster alone. Dan finally got the
Acks loose and handed them to Rum
ey, who tossed them upon the pile.
he passengers were ordered aboard
be coach with q threat that II they
reathed a word about the robbery,
hey would be killed. Dan saved one
ack Of dust and lost about $1,000 and
he money he had Just parted with,
ian any raise that had slipped
trough his fingers since he had been
! the mountains George Ives and
rank Parish were the road agents and
ere afterwards hanged.
When the coach arrived at Ban
ack, Henry Plummer, the chief of
le band, remarked 70 Dan, In joe
ar manner: Never mind, Dan, when
get my division, I viii give you your )
Oney back" Dan looked at him, and, )
though he Was aware Of who the
en- were, and Plummcr,s connection
tn them, It would be death TO tell
hat he knew. Afterward, IN Virginia
Ity, George Ives went 70 Andy O'Con- y
III and told him that he understood
summer Dan" had said to him that Q
J, Ives, was one Of the agents. OaCon- 0