Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-01
The Iowa Outrage.

INT iOho Vutfhtts
Statement of the conductor of the irrecked
trdin.-A scene of ferror.-ReioGrdf for the
detection ofthe perpetrators.
Dies MONIES, Iowa, July ga thousand
conjeetures are current here in regard TO
the persons who robbed the train on the
Rock Island Railroad The most probable
one is that the robbery was committed by
persons living near where the robbery took
place. 4 yalise used to carry off the money
taken from the express safe was found hye
miles south of the wrecked train to-day.
Nigilant parties are securing Iowa, and 1t
is confidently believed that the robbers will
be caught if they remain within the State.
A telegram says the robbers crossed the
Burlington and Missouri Railroad last
night.
William A. Smith, conductor of the i'll
fated train, testified: Went forward to see
who was hurt; the first p erson L met
gage car door, who pointed a revolver IN
each hand and told me to 90 back, firing at
the same time the passengers were In
hubbub and the women and children crying;
tried to borrow a revolver but failed could
see a man from where | was, and saw
another passing up and down on the OPP
posite side of the train some of the pas
sengers asked me to get in the tram, as
these men were firing at me and would be
the cause of some of them being killed;
then went into the sleeping car at the rear,
still trying to get revolver, and urging
the passengers to keep quiet; two balls
passed through my clothing while trying to
reach the engine; after the passengers got
quiet | Investigated the cause Of the wreck
at the hind truck of the smoking car found
the fish plate had been removed from the
rail on the north side, dismounting the raj
at both ends a rope and strap were tied II
the bolt holes of the disconnected rail at the
west end, and the ropes passed across the
ditch and up the bank
The passengers on the train report th'
scene as terrible, and battles description
When the crash came all were thrown for
ward, some entirely out of their seats; thef
came recoil, and Immediately after they
heard firing, but supposed 1t came iron
the wreck. Many men jumped from tn
| cars and started to get forward and wer'
ordered back by the robbers, who continued
| firing. and enforced their commands by ter
rible oaths and threats. Back they went
and in the cars found. women and children
| half crazed with fright, shrieking, cryin!
and fainting. imploring the men to protec
them. and exclaiming, MY God We shall
be killed"
The stoutest hearts quailed and felt tina
they were at the mercy of the desperadoes
Altogether it was a scene unprecedented
the history of railroading in this country
as never before had so reckless and darini
a scheme been carried into completion. Al
western Iowa is in a fever of excitement
Farmers for miles around are leaving tn
harvest fields with their families and VISIT
ing the scene of robbery. Superintendent
Rovce estimates the loss to the company a
about 1000.
Gov. Carpenter has issued a reward @
$500 for the arrest of each person engage
in the robbery. and the Rock Island Railroa
offers a reward of IS, 600 for the detection
the parties.