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Show The Helper Journal 6 i:in 1 I lixl Thursday, April Sil 26, 1973 76 years ago Desperadoes grab payroll at Castle Gate depot K I the two desperadoes, by JOAN HUNT Although unmarked by pageantry or program, Saturday marked the anniversary of a high point in Carbon County history the day Butch Cassidy and Elaz Lay stole the semimonthly mine payroll at Castle Gate. The robbery, planned by the Wild Bunch during the idle winter days in Robbers Roost, had been anticipated to some extent by the Pleasant Valley Coal Company. Realizing the large payroll (which was paid in hard coin) would be a temptation, company officials paid the mine workers on different days signalling the arrival of the payroll from Salt Lake City with a special blast on the mine whistle. Cassidy and Lay arrived in Castle Gate posing as cowpunching loaders out for a good time in the local saloon or as racing enthusiasts heading for Salt Lake. (Their disguise varies with the storyteller.) 76th r flojja Coal corp. Whatever their disguise, they took an extreme interest in the trains coming into town, meeting each and the for watching paymaster. Pleasant Valley Coal Company office, which still stands in Castle Gate, was where Butch Cassidy waited for the paymaster at the bottom of the stairs. The building was recently nominated to the state register of historic sites. The plaque, (see inset) hangs on the outside of the building near the stairway. Journal Photo OLD Canyon (2), J(V Finally, after several fruitless days in town for Castle Gate I price A 1 Cleveland 1 Buckhorn aw J r yr had the passengers debarked and the baggage car was unloaded, E.L. Carpenter, the company paymaster, and two other men, Philps and Lewis, entered the depot's express office and collected the $7,000 gold in a payroll satchel, $1,000 silver in a bag, $860 silver in another bag, and $1,000 in checks. Leaving the depot Carpenter (sorefooted and in bedroom slippers) with his companions, walked the 50 to 75 yards to the Wasatch Store building where the mine offices were housed on the second floor. By this time Cassidy was lounging nonchalantly by the outside stairwell leading to the office entrance, and Lay was nearby on his horse holding the reins of Cassidy's horse. As Carpenter stepped into the bottom step, Cassidy jabbed a gun into his side. "Drop the sacks and hold up your hands," he commanded. The shocked Carpenter handed over the money. Cassidy tossed two sacks to Lay apparently startling his horse who reared and started down the canyon. Lay and Cassidy then an gave impromptu demonstration of hor- Helper I on Wednesday, April 21, 1897, the noon Denver and Rio Grande train number two puffed up to the depot. After j I ) Rafaeiy r j Green "iver City J J FlaJ Topi gH. Moab " semanship rodeo style for the 100 or so openmouthed witnesses. As the frightened horse was cornered, the shock began to wear off the amazed onlookers who began to shoot at the robbers. Riding down the canyon Butch and Elza stopped behind a power house to redistribute the heavy load and to discard the incriminating leather satchel. The $7,000 gold was hurriedly placed into canvas bags and tied to the horses. Tossing the silver away as too heavy to pack and the checks as worthless, they continued south towards Helper. Back at the depot when Carpenter tried to contact Sheriff Donant in Price, he found the telegraph was inoperative; the wires had been cut just north of the y house. Dashing to the train, he ordered the engine cut loose, tied down the whistle and headed for Price at full steam to call for help. and Cassidy Lay, bypassing Helper, changed horses at a ranch at the mouth of Spring Creek Canyon then traveled crosscountry to hit the road between Price and Cleveland where they cut he was certainly made of stern stuff.) After passing Cleveland, Lay and Cassidy rode through Buckhorn Wash to the San Rafael River and then across the desert into the Roost changing horses as they went. Accounts of their flight differ as to whether the possees ever came within gunrange of mm CASSIDY LAY from Huntington and led by Joe Meeks (owner of the gray horse Cassidy had borrowed) was to search Cottonwood Canyon while the Castle Dale possee went down the Buckhorn. In the dark, the Huntington possee somehow or other wandered down Buckhorn Wash, stumbling onto the other possee. Each group, thinking they had found the bandits, opened A family reunion was held at the Rendevous on Easter. A stuffed pig weighing about 110 lbs. was roasted in an outside oven, with all the traditional Easter trimmings. Proceeding the dinner was an Easter egg hunt with prizes awarded for each found by the small children. gold. Adding to the comic overtones of the whole affair was the great Those attending the reunion were Mr. and Mrs. shootout in Buckhorn Wash. (The comedy routine began Bardo Felice and sons Rocky and Lynn; Mr. and with Carpenter being Mrs. Charles Felice, Mrs. robbed and chasing outlaws Margret Hamilton, Mrs. around in his bedroom Rose Sanfelice, Mr. and slippers, and continued with Mrs. Dennis Slavensky and Butch Cassidy, loot in hand, family, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy chasing his horse around Sanfelice and family, Mr. Castle Gate. Needless to and Mrs. Louie Felice, Mr. say, the participants didn't and Mrs. Charles Felice Jr., see anything humorous in Mr. and Mrs. Elmer the happenings.) Hamilton Jr., Ted and The possee recruited Carma Johnson, and Mr. and Mrs. Tony Texiero Jr. The out of town relatives that attended were Toni Felice from Ogden, Mrs. Louise Marchese, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Smith and family from Fair Oaks, Calif., Dr. and Mrs. Dean Rowley and family from Mesa, Arizona, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Furano and son Dino, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Furano, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Upwall and family, and Mrs. Matilda Furano from Salt Lake. Other out of town guests were Connie Garver, Mrs. Bessie Garver, Brenda Bechtel, Mr. and Mrs. John Shivers and family and also Arron Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Verdis Magann and daughter Loretta attended from Castle Gate and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Perri attended from Spring Glen. , went home, but Carpenter (still in his bedroom slippers) and a few other diehards continued the chase, but finally turned back. The Castle Gate payroll robbery, one of the most daring jobs planned and executed by Butch Cassidy, a tale to tell was history on long winter evenings around a camp fire. Employment applications Family holds reunion Sunday in Spring Glen Hi-w- the two, and how many other members of the Wild Bunch were involved in the transfer of the gold through the desert. All sources agree, however, that the Pleasant Valley Coal Company was out $7000 in fire. Reports of the outcome are somewhat vague and muddled now with one report saying Joe Meeks was shot in the leg, another that a horse was injured, and others that no one was hurt at all. When all the shooting died down and the two possees got together, it was embarrassment time for everyone. In the morning most of the two possees All young men and women in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties interested in summer work should now obtain and fill out employment applications. This was announced this week by Harry Mangus, Manpower Director of the Southeastern Utah Neighborhood Youth Corps. Applications may be picked up before June 1, from Mr. Keith Ware at the telephone company office in Orangeville, from the NYC Office in the Community Action Building at 90 North 1st East or the Employment Security office at 685 East 2nd South, both in Price. Mr. Mangus said no official word has been received from President Nixon indicating if he will make funds available for a this Youth Program summer. But guidelines for eligibility will be followed. half-wa- Hanksville V J Robbers Roost Broken line is Cassidy's route KEY TO MAP Robbery Took Place Here Changed horses here Cut telegraph wires here Met mall carrier here Possee gunbattle here Final possee members give up here Final destination for Cassidy and Lay 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. the wires. telegraph However, they were too late to keep word of the robbery from reaching the Emery County towns. Carpenter's fast thinking and use of the train engine had worked to their disadvantage. Possees were being already organized in Price, Huntington, Castle Dale and Cleveland. isBVOyiEHllSCB Cadets set up Honor Court The Girl Scout Cadet mm Complete Coverage in L3?S SINKING VANDALISM THEFT 4 FIRE COLLISION MOTOR LOSS HAULING DAMAGE Fast claims service and fair settlements. Protects you on all U.S. and Canadian waterways. Covers nearly every risk at low cost. FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP Phil Halamandaris Phone 227 E. 637 0560 Anytime for Appointment Main Street in Price Troop set up a Court of Honor at a recent meeting held at St. Mathews Episcopal Church in Price. Twenty-tw- o girls attended. The ninth graders receiving their First Class Scout honor are Ruth Lewis, Peggy Lee, Cynthia Sandoval, Phyllis Gurule and Patsy Leonard, all of Price, and Mary Johnson of Helper. Also at the meeting, the ninth made graders arrangements to attend the annual camp. Money to sponsor the trip was obtained from the recent cookie drive. The girls will choose Hoffman Ranch, near Moab, or Capital Reef as the site to hold the camp. It was also decided at the meeting that Leta Moore and Maren Robirts would call each girl to find out what handicraft each will make for the annual Price Sidewalk Sale. Patrol Five served refreshments. Area women attend Rebekah meet Three Carbon County women were among those who attended the Rebekah Assembly of Utah meeting in Ogden on April The women were Lina B. Hall of Price, Catherine Reid of Helper and Mae Snow of Castle Gate. Mrs. 12-1- 4. They met the mail carrier a short ways from Cleveland. In later describing Cassidy and Lay to Sheriff Donant's possee and the press, the mail carrier described one man as about 25 years old, wearing a black hat, blue coat and goggles. He said the other rider was middle aged and wearing a light slouch denham hat, overhalls and a brown coat. Both were sunbrowned and looked like cowboys or hoboes. One horse was gray with a bridle and no saddle, and the other horse was a bay. (If Cassidy made a forced ride from Castle Gate to the Roost bareback, Hall was honored as "Mother of the Assembly." April marks the 154th Odd of anniversary North in Fellowship America. Utahna Rebekah Lodge No. 39 of Helper, under the direction of Noble Grand Catherine Reid, will observe the anniversary. Saturday to 6 10 p.m. daily a.m. to 2 p.m. Interest rates on Home Improvement Loans will never be any more reasonable than we can otfer you NOW! ! have been considering a new garage, Do It adding a room or any home remodeling If you ... NOW!! See one of our friendly Loan Officers . . . Mitchell Morticians R.T.Mitchell Ronald Kosec Robert H. Etzel Phone Price Joe Mason Brownie Let's help each other. Hours: 10 a.m. . . . With a Home Improvement Loan from Carbon Emery Bank U neighbor. TktAiMriciilUCrou oTfe ana 7 PRICE & CASTLE DALE Don Denison |