Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-07-31

A TRAIN THROWN FROM THE TRACk-THs
ENGINEER KlLLED-THE EMPRESS CAR
ROBBED BY ARMED GUFRRIILAs.


ENGINEER KlLLED-TnE EMPRESS CAR
ROBBED BY ARMED GUERRILLAs.
DIES MONIES, Iowa, July 22.-The ex-
press train on the Chicago. Rock Island
and Pacific Railroad bound east, duc here
ut lo 10 last evening, was thrown from the
track about o'clock, attacked aud rob
bed, and the engineer killed. II occurred
about four miles west of Adair Summit
between the Mississippi and Missouri Rv-
ers- and some sixty miles west of here
The spot selected was favorable for the
deed. there being no habitaiion within sew
eral miles, and none in sight. and withal 1t
WAS at sharp curve.
The robbers who were all but ana
masked. had removed the plates connect
ing one rail with those next TO il, aud put
ting rope through the holes In Que end.
awaited the coming of the train. When
the train was within two rods OF the place.
the rope was pulled. and the rail was
thrown across the track. simultaneously
several shots were fired IN quick success
aon. The engineer saw the displaced rail
and reversed his engine and applied the
air-brakes. which was his last act. Engine.
tender, and two baggage-cars We're thrown
into and across the ditch. aud the forward
| trucks OF the first passenger coach were
tiltpNH lIthl tlc NJ once TWO
the scoundrels, one unmarked, attacked
the express-car, compelled the messengers
to give up the keys by holding reyolvers at
their heads, and took from the safe nearly
Sl,IOO and one sealed bag of Wells. Fargo
y Cos, amount not known. Pistols were
also held at the head OF the registry clerk
aud Mr.. Rice, \ Assistant Superintendent OF
the road, who was also in the car. and had
hardly recovered from the shock OF the
| conclusion when the robbers entered.
The engineer. John Rafferty,, was found
with his neck broken, caued by falling at
the time OF the crash. lie was also wound.
ed by pistol shot in the thigh. At iirst ii
was supposed he was shot deaf, but this
proves not to have been true. Dennis
Faby, the fireman. when the conclusion
was over. found himself lying on the foor
of the cab unhurt, with the dead body Of
the engineer on top of him. Dragging the
body on the track, he started to alarm the
others on the train. bat was compelled to
turn back by the robbers. Putting out the
| furnace tire, he let the water out of the
1 boiler. thus avoiding an explosion. No
| Others on the train were injured but scv-
eral were fired at. The conductor. Mr.
! William Smith, had two bullets sent
/ through his clothing.
! While the robbery was going on the pas
/
| naming robbers. SO that no aid could be
Afforded from that source. At the first
| shock the passengers were thrown tor
ward, and after the rccoil many started fDr-
ward Ia the scene OF the wreck but were
1 driven back by threats, mingled with oath,
/ and occa> ional shots The pa>Srnts,rS
/ however, were not otherwise maltrrni.d
the robbers combining themselves entirely
| % the mail and express car. Fortunately
the through registered letter package from
J san Francisco Ia New ork was unnoticcd
by the thieves. while three and half tons
{ 81 bullion express matter were udi>tnrbel
/ ~ soon q they were satisfied the thieyc,
4 jumped from the car. mounted and rode
away southwark, in les, than ten minute.
/ from the ttmr OF the attack.
As soon As word could be got 10 Chicago
| the company offered a reward Of 5000
I for The discovery ~ the robbrr, To thi.
I the Government will adj the highest
( amount allowed by Law. The whole south
I western part OF the state is aroused and
I the line Of the Burlington and Missouri
/ River Road j. heavily guarded. Special
I trains with armed men lrit Council Blur.
( last evening In parallel lines To Inherent
4 the robbers. and 4 large scouting party len
Atlantic. some iiiteen mile, south Of the
/ disaster. Five miles south of the spot The
7 tram OF hNc hor-cucn has been struck. aud
I followed Ia Nodaway River. some thirty.
eight miles southwark. \ iuli description
| oI the horses. IL j. believed. ha, been OBJ
/ tanned, and il i thought the robbcr, can
/ hardly escape. The general opinion i
[ that they are set OF Missouri gucrrillas
I similar TO those who robbed n bank at Cow
don. in this State, some two or three wears
I ago.
The body OF Rafferty,. engineer. VA.
brought to thi. city, his houIc. where an
/ inquest was held.