The James Boys In Kentucky
© Sandi Gorin
Mammoth Cave, KY, Stage Robbery - Newspaper Account- Cont.
One of them entered the coach and took from Mr. R H ROWNTREE his pocketbook containing about $30 in money and a $150 gold watch and a handsome gold key elegantly engraved worth $35. This key was a present from Hon. J. Proctor KNOTT. Lifting the cushion the robber found the three rings which Miss Lizzie ROWNTREE had hidden beneath it and at once appropiated them. The gentlemen outside were then called on for their pocket books, and proceeded to give them up - all except Mr. Phillip S ROWNTREE, who produced 75 cents. [Note: Men's pocket books were like expanding files - leather with various compartments inside for money, some had little books on diseases and home cures, etc.]
"Who are you?" said the spokesman for the robbers. "I am a newspaper man." said Mr. ROWNTREE. "Where re you from?". "Evansville." "Damfino." "Where's your watch?" "Put it up at the spout at the Cave as security for my board." "You're a d... little Jew," said the genial highwayman, and turned to the next man. (This incident illustrates how a training as an editor improves the imagination.)
"Now, said the leading robber," "I am going to search you in a moment and if I find a dollar on any of you, I will blow your brains out. I give you fair warning, that you may be prepared." Several additional pocketbooks came out at this announcement; among others the fattest one in the party, from Mr. CRAIG, who had at first thrown down a pocketbook containing nothing but $700 worth of valuable papers.
Watches were next collected, but Mr. CRAIG managed to secret his and save it. One or two silver watches were rejected as not worth stealing. The robbers remarked that they were moonshiners, and were so hard pressed by the Government that they had to resort to that means to obtain money to get away on. They took a list of the names and the post offices of the party.
When Mr. ROWNTREE gave his name and place of residence, the spokesman of the robbers remarked, "Oh, yes, I know the ROWNTREES," and immediately pulled up over his face a handkerchief which he wore around his neck. The movement was noticed by several of the party, and was understood as a precaution to guard against possible recognition. If so, it was unnecessary, as none of the party recollected of ever having seen the man before. Several of the passengers asked the robbers to restore their railroad tickets, which was done in every case. Business being over, the leading highwayman unbent a little and produced a quart of whiskey. "As I have done pretty well, I feel that I ought to treat," he said, "to show you that it is not poison, I will drink first." With that he took a good healthy swig at the bottle and then set it on the ground. Pointing his pistol at the nearest man he said persausively: "Take a drink!"
The man may have been a Good Templar or he may not. If he was he said nothing about it, but raised the bottle to his lips without debate. He then passed it to the next man and it went the rounds of the party outside. It was not offered to the two passengers in the stage. The robbers now made preparations to leave. Mr. CRAIG sought to detain them by asking for another drink, but they divined his object in a moment and told him he could keep the bottle until they called for it.