California
HISTORY AND GENEALOGY RESEARCH
Wm. Early - 1864
Stage Robber Arrested
Mariposa Gazette- submitted by Harriet Sturk
On last Tuesday evening a man who gives his name as Wm. Early was
arrested at Coulterville, on suspicion of being one of the gang who robbed
the Coulterville stage about ten days ago. He had been to Sonora--lost
considerable money gaming, and was suspected and followed. When arrested
he had a revolver with the name of one of the stage passengers on it. On
being arrested he confessed his share in the robbery, and gave the names of the
others who are now being looked after by the officers. It seems that the gang
were watching for a quantity of amalgam which they knew Mr. PRIEST, the
purchaser, of the McAlpin vein, hand on hand ready to forward below. On taking the
Express box from the stage one of the robbers shook it and remarked. "It ain't
here". They turned off for Moccasin Creek after robbing the stage, thinking Mr. Priest
had gone that way to Chinese Camp; but they were behind time, as Priest had passed
some hours previous. They stopped HOWETH , who was returning from Chinese Camp
(having accompanied Priest over) -tied him to a tree-robbed him of about
twenty dollars, and left him. A Chinaman, some hours after, passed by and cut him
loose.
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Wm. EARLY - 1864
Escape of the Stage Robber
Wm. Early, one of the robbers of the Coulterville stage made his escape
last Monday in a very strange way. A Deputy ~Sheriff of Tuolumne county was on
his way here with Early and two others, who were alleged by him to be his
confederates. They were in a small covered wagon, having an outside seat
and two seats inside facing each other. Early, handcuffed, set out with
he driver and two others. The other two prisoners sat on the back seat, and the
officer occupied the front seat. A double barrel shot gun was placed on the
utside seat, behind the driver and Early. At the forks of the Aqua Frio and
Mariposa roads--about two miles from here, when they were ascending
a little hill, Early jumped from the stage taking the shotgun along and
leveling it at the officer, cooly retreated. He had the best weapon and
is prepared to use it. The officer had to proceed in here, when a large
number started out and made search, but the fellow had an early start, and
nothing could be heard of him. As his statements led to the detection of the
others, and his evidence was relied on to convict them, his abrupt departure will
materially affect the prosecution. If Early deserved an 'outside 'seat, it
would seem that he should have not have had access, so readily to the only good
weapon in the party.
Since writing we learn that Early was at Colorado on Monday night.
He seems to have made his escape very easily, and no trouble in
keeping clear of those who were in search of him.
Wm EARLY - 1864
Stole shot-gun from cabin east of Coulterville
On Tuesday night last John Clark was robbed at Horse Shoe Bend - -
his safe packed off, broken open, and one hundred dollars taken.
McKewen and Scoff's house was robbed in Coulterville on Monday.
Wm EARLY - 1864
Wm. Early, the stage robber went to a cabin some miles east of
Coulterville on last Friday, stole a shot-gun and some blankets.--He was pursued and
obliged to throw the gun and blanket away. Night coming on the pursuers
gave up the chase. Since then he has not been heard from.
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