One of the most daring and successful high-…
source date: 1889
availability: public-domain

Much sympathy is expressed for Mrs. as well as Mr. Woods, by the many people in this section who have en- joyed their liberal hospitality. Mr. Woods is now doing well, though Dr. Carson’s arrival was most timely. HELD UP Paymaster Wham Relieved of $29,000 by Highway Robbers One of the most daring and successful high- way robberies that ever occurred in this section was perpetrated between Wilcox and Fort Thomas on the afternoon of the eleventh in- stant. Major J. W. Wham, with clerk Gibbon and an armed escort of eleven men on their way to the post to pay off the soldiers, and when in a narrow gorge a few miles south of Cedar Springs, they were attacked by a party of am- bushed men. It is said that a constant fire was kept up for nearly half an hour, when eight of the escort were wounded, some seriously. The major was uninjurd, but the clothing of his clerk was riddled by bullets. The robbers fin- ally succeeded in getting the money, about $29,000. Troops were immediately sent out from Fort Grant to hold the mountain passes, and on Monday Lieutenant Paxton, with a com- mand of cavalry from Fort Bayard, passed through this city for the border. The robbers have no doubt made their way into Mexico where they will be safe for a time, at least, but their capture will eventually be effected, as the government will never give up the pursuit. There is supposed to be some ten or twelve of the robbers — too large a gang to act with dis- cretion. Two of them are supposed to have been hit by the fire of the soldiers.