The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-23
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The Prairie Crime Causing Great Excite.
ment-The Engineer Murdered.

The Prairie Crime Causing Great Excite.
ment-The Engineer Murdered.
DIES MONIES, Iowa, July g. 1873.
An extraordinary and daring robbery Of rail-
road train was committed last night, four miles
west OF Adair, on the Chicago, Rock Island and
Pacific Railroad. At this point there is sharp
curve In the road and here the robbers had placed
heavy timbers across the track to throw
the East-bound passenger train Oh. The
engineer, John Rafferty,, saw the OBJ
struction in time to reverse his engine
and apply the air brake; but the robbers observing
the movement. fired at him from ambush and shot
him dead. The engine struck the logs and went
or the track into the ditch, and was followed by
one OF the baggage cars. the others remaining on.
the track. Several passengers were bruised. but
none seriously hurt. The robbers who were
masked after opening and emptying the safe OF
the express messenger OF Its contents, rede on on
horseback Among the passengers were thirty
Chinese students, en- route to Springfield, Mass.
A thousand conjectures are current mere In re-
gard to the persons who robbed the train
on the Rock Island Railroad last night.
The most probable one is that the
robbery was committed by persons nv-
ing near where the robbery took place.
A valise, in which they carried or the money
taken from the express company's safe, was found
five miles south OF the wrecked train to-day Wig
liant parties are securing southwestern Iowa, audit
Is confidently believed the robbers Will be caught
II they remain within the State. telegram re-
ceived here late tonight says they crossed tho
Rur,inrton and Missouri Railroad last night at
midnight.
william A. Smith, conductor Of the ill-fated train,
testified to-day at the Coroner's inquest
ON the body OF John Rafferty,. the engineer, who
was killed. that the train was wrecked two
and half or three miles west OF Adam
station and six or seven hundred feet east Of
Turkey Creek BTdge was in the smoking-car
near the front end, and from the noise thought
the engine was in ditch, with one or two cars
piled upon 1t; was thrown under the seat
in front Of me; do not remember which side OF the
car. got out on the bulk. Invent forward to see
who was hurt; the first person met was one OF
the masked men near the baggage Cal
door, who pointed q revolver In each
hand toward me and told me to get back, firing al
one and the same time; backed down as Gar al
the sleeping coach before I felt was out OF hi
way; there met Dennis Foley, the fireman h,
says,
The passengers were In hubbub and the W q
men and children were crying. told the pas
seugers thought the masked men were trying t
rob the baggage car and tried TO borro,
| revolver but failed I could still sc
| the man from where WAS Saw another passin
up and down on the opposite side Of the train
Think he was firing at me, Also Some OF tn
passengers asked me to get into the .rain as thes
| men were firing at me and would be tn
cause of some OF them being killed.
then went into the sleeping car at tn
! rear, stin trying to got o revolver, am
urging the passengers TO keep quit. as shes