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Show 170 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. Fearing the weapon might be accidentally discharged, he gracefully handed them over without any parleying. It was then about noon, and they were only a half mile from McLaughlin's ranch, which was a stage station. They went there and ordered dinner. A guard was placed over the occupants of the coach, and while the meal was being prepared the guerrillas opened the express trunk, took the treasure, amounting to several thousand dollars in gold dust, ripped up mail sacks, opened the letters, and appropriate what money there was in them, chopped up the coach wheels, remarking that they wanted to do the U. S. as much damage as they could, then mounted their horses and proceeded on the road towards Denver. McClellan and Williamson returned on foot to Buckskin Joe, over the short trail via Montgomery, where their story was told, and a party organized at once to pursue the fugitives. After several days raiding along the road, when near to Central City, the guerrillas retraced their course, and one night camped in the thick woods of the canon, about a mile above where Webster is now built, and while some were cooking, others playing cards, a party of twelve or fifteen from Gold, Run, under the leadership of Jack Sparks, came suddenly upon them and fired, killing one and wounding the leader, Jim Reynolds, in the arm. The party scattered in the greatest confusion, and took to the bushes, leaving all their arms, plunder and camp equipage on the ground. The one who was slain was the next day beheaded, the ghastly trophy placed in a sack and carried to Montgomery by a doctor of the party. |
