The New York herald., 1871-12-18
PURSUIT OF WESTERN EXPRESS ROBBERS
Tho Dangers Of Detectives.
TErnvv, thu Vntrtu Damn Ntt~ovp noo 4


Detective W. A. Ptnkerton, OF Chicago, and De-
tectlve Connel, or Memphis, arrived at the Central
Hilary Farrin9ton ana william Barton, both Young
men, who are charged with having been concerned
10 wo pr soe aas in Iae
the prisoners Detective Pinkeron related the fol-
lowing circumstances IN connection with the ar
was stopping near q water tank at Moscow, Ky.
the express car was entered by three thieves, who
which were afterwards destroyed. The culprits
were traced TO Tiptonvle, renn., where they got
pursued they presented their revolvers and drove
back the men who were following them, aud they
press tram stopped at Union City. Tennessee, ana
during the time the passengers were at supper the
guard OF the e. southern express was suddenly CON
pistols to his head made him give up hts Keys, aud
plundered the safe OF $4,000 While they were
doing this or their c0nfederates took charge OF
the locomotive and steamed ahead until they got
into the woods, when they left the train. Vigorous
Company to bring the perpetrators OF the robbery
to justice. bur they only resulted In the thieves
eight days after the robbery MI Allen Pinkerton OF
the detective agency, Chicago, was requested TO
" Pneerson was Ietaied ~ and nd he 'ss arrived at
Union City ten days after the robbery. He then
" sse Sos Of Memphis They set
was directed 70 grocery store as point known as
miles below Hckman KY, and near the Tennessee
| State llne
| They rode from Hickman to the place and found
tt to be situated In dense canebrake, almost I'M
penerable and well suited for the retreat of despe
;ner ns e r aese a. ng ay fast
habtaton. On opening the door they saw six men,
woman and a child In one room, with no light but
that which arose from smOuldering fire on the
hearth. rhe detectives were rudely accosted and
told to state their business They represented that
were not believed, and Of the men, alleged to be
Barton, started to leave the room. Another. named
RUSSELL also left, and tnreateningly told che de-
teCtlyeS to follow him. PnKertOn followed and
Russell dred at him. The bullet passed through the
side. Pinkerton fired in return al Russell, who had
hold Of sapling The ball seemed TO take effect,
for the man fell, but, regainlng his feet, he fired
again. Council then came up and commenced TO
fire. Russell directed a welEaimed shot at him,
and 1t struck large metal button on his coat and
ARRAY and Pinkerton was hit on the head with
revolver rendering him incapabIe OF further action.
The two men-BartOn and Russell escaped and tt
was not found possible to prove anything against
the other four.
robbers through the.swamps ami canebrakes ana
amid many discouragements. It was at length
ascertanea mat & man a,o, who mad some connection
miles above Cape Girardeau. Detective Conne
went in pursuit Of him and brought him to within o
mile Of the Iron Mountain Railroad. The prisoner
by some means loosened the chain which held him,
sprang from the wagon into the bush and escaped.
The detectives ard0r was somewhat dampened at
this disappointment. but IN short time they were
again tracking the parties with unabated zeal. In
the robbery, sent $500 to Mrs. i. +. Farrington,
Gillian station, Tenn, on tue Nashville and North.
western road. II was also learned that Barton
had been a railroad empl0ye and understood the
management OF locomotive. Detective Plnker-
ton then went to Gillian station and had
an interview with Mrs. Harrington. She was
then getting ready 20 move to Texas. The oilcer
carefully prosecuted his inquiries and learned that
Mrs. Harrington had two sons, who he thought an.
swered to the description Of Russell and the man
who escaped from Connell After this time she was
followed by spies in the employ OF the dete ecives.
week ago William Barlow and Hilary Harrington
the two men now In custody, made their appearance
at Verona, No. near the Indian Territory. They
were living miles from the town at the house
OF q cousin. The detectives watched the men closely
until last Tuesday, when matters were brought to
an issue. The house occupied by the fugitves was
surrounded by citizens and offcers, who called upon
them TO surrender They refused. and then the
house was set ON fire. After enduring the heat OF
the names some time they surrendered It was
found that they had Ave rev0lvers, a shotgun and
other weapons. They were heavily ironed on being
captured, and were brought here. Last night their
captors took them to Union City for trial. The cap
tura Is claimed TO be an important one.