New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-21
THE WEEKLY REPUBLICAN
Terms Of Subscription.
Ono year, IS; six months, 81 so.
SOUTHERN EXPRESS ROBBERIEs.


The st. Louis Democrat publishes the mar
rative of Detective Pinkerton, who cap
tured Harrington and Barton, two of the
men who robbed the express on the Mobile
and Ohio railroad:
On the twenty first of July, while pas
seng6r train was stopping near a water tank
at Moscow, Kentucky, the express car was
entered by threethieves who stole $500 in
money and some valuable papers, which
were afterward destroyed. The culprits
we're traced to Tiptonville, Tennessee
where they got into skitf and rOwed down
their revOlvers and drove back the men
who were following them, and they made
good their escape. On the twenty. second
Of October an express train stopped at
Union City, Tennessee, and during the time
the passengers were at supper the guard OF
the Southern Express was suddenly con-
frOnted by two persons in disguise, who
placed their pistols to his head. made him
$685. Ss up his keys and p'""''F'e' the safe of
While they we're doing this one Of their
c0nfederates took charge of the locomotive
and steamed ahead until they got into the
woods, when they left the train. Vigorous
efforts were instituted by the Southern Ex-
press Company to bring the perpe traitors Of
the robbery to justice, but they only re
suited in the thieves being traced about a
mile west of Union City. Some eight days
after the robbery, Mr. Allan Pinkerton, of
the detective agency, Chicago, was re-
Iuested to send competent men TO hunt up
the parties. Mr.. w. A. Pinkerton was de-
tailed, and he arrived at Union City ten
days after the robbery. He was then Joined
by Detective Conneli, Of Memphis. They
set to work, and after some inquiries their
attention was directed to grocery store at
q point known as Testers place, on the
Mississippi river, nineteen miles below
Hickman, Kentucky, apd near the. Tennes-
see State line.
They rode from Hickman to the place
and found it to be situated in dense cane
brake, almost impenetrable, and well
suited for the retreat Of desperadoes Ar
irving at the house at night. they fastened
their horses to tree and proceeded to the
habitation. On opening the door they saw
six men, a woman and child in one room.
with no light hut that which arose from
smOuldering fire on the hearth. The letec-
tives were rudely accosted, and told to state
their business. They represented that they
were travellers who had lost their way.
They we're not believed, and one of the men
alleged to be Barton, started to leave the
ROOM. Another man, named Russell. also
left, and Overwhelmingly told the detectives
and Russell fired at him. The bullet passed
through the detectives coat and overcoat
and grazed his left side. ri nkerron fired in
return at Russell, who had hold Of
sapling.
The ball seemed TO take effect, for the
man fell, but regaining his feet, he fired
again. COnnell then came up and con-
menced to fire. Russell directed a we'll
aimed shot at him. and it struck large
metal nm J.ia av,l v1o lI,Ee
Some Of the others then joined in the atfray,
and PinkertOn was hit on the head with |
revolver, rendering him incapable of further |
action. The two men, Barton and Russell, |
escaped, and it was not found possible to |
prove anything against the other four.
The detectives kept up their search for
the robbers through the swamps and cane.
brakes, and amid many discouragements.
1t was at length ascertained that man who
had some connection with the store before
referred to was living nine miles above
Cape Girardean. Detective Cornell went
in pursuit of him, and brought him to within
a mile OF the Iron Mountain railroad. The
prisoner by some means loOsened the chain
which held him, sprang from the wagon
ntO the bush. ard escaped.
Inc detectives ardOr was somewhat
dampened at this disappointment, but in
short time they were again attacking the
parties with undated zeal. Information
was obtained that Russell, shortly after
the robbery, sent $500 to Mrs. E. f. Far
ringtOn, Gallam Station Tennessee, On the
and Northwestern road 1t was
also learned. that Barton had been rail
road employee, and understood the manage
ment of locomotive. Detective Pinker-
ION then went to Gillian Station and had an
with Mrs. harrington. She was
hen getting ready to move to Texas. The
officer carefully prosecuted his inquiries,
md learned that Mrs. harrington had two
IONS, who he thought answered to the de-
'cription Of Russell and the man who es-
,aped from Conneil.
After this time she was followed by spies
n the employ of the detectives. A week
lgO William Barlow and Hilary Harrington,
he two men now in custody, made their APP
'earance at Verona. Missouri, near the In
liam territory. They were living seven miles
rom town at the house of cousin. The
detectives watched the men closely until
asst Tuesday, when matters were brought
o an issue. The house occupied by the
ugitiyes was surrounded by citizens and
Ulcers who called upon them to surrender.
hey refused, and then the house was set
II fire. After enduring the heat of the
ames some time they surrendered. 1t was
pund they had five revolvers, shot gun.
nd other weapons. They were heavily
'oned on being captured. and were brought
ere. Last night their captors took them to
mon City for trial The capture is claimed
, he an important one. {
This Is from the Shreveport Rcpabticou: .
KNOW We all men that the late Lieuten- ,