The People's Advocate

Highway Robbers in California.

Mrs. Pratt, while traveling in a stage between Randolph and Truckee, had the enjoyable and impressive experience of capture by a stage robber. There were three men, two ladies and two children in the party besides the driver, who were taking in the mountain scenery and expatiating on the climate, when a masked man, decorated with a double-barreled shot-gun, which was at full cock, and with a sword bayonet attached at the muzzle, a revolver and a hatchet stepped out from behind a tree standing by the track, and commanded the driver to halt. His persuasive command was obeyed, when he told the driver to throw out the express box and open it. The driver replied that he couldn't as it was chained down and locked. This was "too thin" for the party just then in command, who made a show of compelling obedience in a summary manner, and the driver got the box out. The robber directed the inmates of the stage to get out and stand upon the other side of the road, which they did. The driver then, under instructions, broke a large rock upon the treasure box in trying to break it open, but not succeeding the robber threw his hatchet to him, and after considerable effort with this he succeeded in getting it open. The driver was then directed to bring the box under a tree by the roadside, which he did, and then returned, under orders minutely given, to the stage. The robber then coolly but cautiously laid down his gun by the side of the box, and getting down upon his knees took out what coin there was and went through the letters and papers with the utmost coolness and deliberation, not appearing to be in the least hurry. Coming across two Chinese checks, he swore in a foreign dialect and said: "These checks I can make no account." Having abstracted $272 in coin and papers, he kindly replaced in the box all the papers and articles he did not want and permitted the driver to take it into custody again and the passengers to resume their places in the stage. He then said politely: "Good evening to you all," and ordered the driver to drive on, while he left the road and passed over the hill, stopping to see that the stage passed quickly along without instituting measures looking to his apprehension.

The passengers were not molested as to their valuables, which was fortunate, as there were a number of fine gold watches in the party, besides several hundred dollars in money.—Sacramento Union.