The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-15

A DARING RAILROAD ROBBERY.

The following account Of one Of the most daring
robbcries of this century, perhaps, We take from
the Nashville Banner. It smacks very much like
some OF the exploits of CLAUDE DUvAL and JACK
SHEPHERD:
Another bold and daring sally has been made by
80 long infested tho line OF the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad. At about two o'clock yester-
day morning tho Nashvillc-bound passenger train
was thrown from the track six miles north OF
Franklin, Kentucky, and o second-class passenger
car burned to ashes, the stoves having been upset
locomotive turned over three times, and the
express car was thrown straight down the en-
bankment, the end resting on the track, and the
baggage Cur piled upon it.
Tie distractions on the track were about three
hundred yards apart, and were formed by bars OF
railroad iron projecting from the cross-ties toward
piled up on the track. DISTINCTIONS were placed
in the rear of the train after it had passed, that
there could be no escape for the doomed train,
even II it should be backed up.
Tho engineer, Jas. L. Stewart, saw the danger
when very close upon it, and gallanty stood to his
o e nhs as the Of
passenger though he did it at the risk of bis own.
He waa badly bruised, and number OF others
were moro or less injured, but not single life was
lost.
The fireman jumped from the engine, escaping
unhnrt, and hoofs Of the robbers horses almost
touched him as he lay hidden when the troop pass
ed him on their way from the scene of their dcpre
dations.
The sleeping coach and the ladies' car remained
on the track, the sleepy passengers supposing they
had arrived at another station when the sudden
stoppage was made.
The Conductor, Mr.. Charles Rice, went forward
to learn the cause, and did not long remain in ig
norance. Ho was called upon to halt and in a mo
ment was surrounded by dozen or more burly
ruh1ans with blackoned faces, armed to the
teeth, and apparently upon some desperate er-
rand. He managed to effect his escape, how
ever, and was soon in Franklin, where he tele-
graphed the news Of the terrible occurrence back
to Louisville.
An individual, whose curiosity was somewhat
aroused, thrust his head out of the window, but
hastily drew it in again, bullet whzzing close to
his attentive auricular.
Another man, who had stepped ont upon the
platform, was also compelled to retire to the
music of whistlng lead
The rufians, making cicerone of the baggage
master, camo to the doors Of the stepping car, and
with drawn pistols demanded the immediate snr-
render Of every weapon in tho car. Few Of the
passengers being armed, however, only one or two
fevolvers we're given up.
Some of the passengers were still asleep, and one
climbing into his berth. Others had just been
discussing the robbery Of tho day train, which oc
a cured sbort time ago. on this same road, little
The robbers wore very boisterous, though appa-
rently unused to their business, and as much
frightened as their victims. All but one, tall,
looking faces Being thosoughy u q Bsstened pGa %sh
charcoal or some like substance. They had on
spurs, wore their pantaloons inside their boots,
doubt Of nt once striking terror to the hearts Of
their unfortunate unarmed victims.
The precise number Of the marauding party is
not known. Only ten or twelve we're seen
Tho leader was large man, weighing perhaps
two hundred pounds @ blood-red comforter grid
ling at bis waist and dangling at his side. He
rather r hept a1oof, however, and not much was
The man who took the pocket-books was a little
fellow two Of the robbers at his side enforcing his
demands by Placing the muzzles Of their M pistols a.
withhold thoir currency and valuabIes.
Placing themselves at tho door Of tho car, afte,
they had taken up their collection, they made the
unfortunate passengers file into the next coach
keeping them covered by deadly weapons, and TAX
ing care that none should jump from tho platforms
hey sSeaRs ISsn won. through the vacated car
picked up some articles OF clothing, while search
ing for concealed money.
and by this time the express Car was in flames mt
rapidly crumbling into ashes, much to the chagriI
- Of the sable bandits, who, in fastening up th
neglected to look to tho little iron sa}o and it
Going to the baggage car, they secured mum
pes 81 that ho @ seppsd
upon tho platform Of their temporary prison shoui'
die for his temority.
whence they had conc, tho light from tho blazn
car revealing their dark forms as they fitted ava
to the shelter Of the gloomy forest, now and the
looking. back upon the destruction they ha
Up rolled the bright flames, throwing the ray
OF dancing light far down along the track, as il in
yiting swift justice to the fleeing desparadoes an
welcoming tho little band Of determined men VIII
were tn .iasten to the soon as the tiding
a,iould reach them.
The robbers having fed the passengers sue
ceeded In securing the remaining contents Of tn
baggage car before it was consumed.
Many OF the passengers sayed considerable
slowing money and valuables in their boots an
other places, tie hurried search being by no mean
thorough one.
She ladies' were not molested and only the OF
cnDants of tho sleeping car were financially die
ReY. e. @. Honardy, Of Atlanta. Georgia, wa