The Portland daily press., 1873-07-24
THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
statement of the Conductor.

Excitiu9 scenes at the Train Wreckfng.
Dies MONIES, Iowa, July 23.-A thousand
conjecturee are current here in regard to the
persons who robbed the train on the Rock Is
land Railroad. The most probable one is that
the robbery was committed by persons living
near where the robbery took place. A vaise
used to carry off the money taken from the
express safe was found five miles south OF the
wrecked train to-day. Vigilant paIties are
searching Iowa, and it is confidently believed
that the robbers will be caught if they remain
within the State. A telegram says the robbers
crossed the Burlington & Missouri Road last
night William A. Smith, conductor of the
Inflated train, testifies as follows: n5g
81 went forward to see who was hurt The
first person 1 met was one off the masked
men near the baggage car door. who pointed
q revolver in each hand and told me to go back,
firing at the same time. The passengers were
in hubbub and the women and children cry
ing. L tried to borrow revolver but failed. l
could see man from where I was and saw an
other passing up and down on the opposite side
of the train. Some of the passengers asked
me to get in the train, as these men were firing
at me, and would be the cause of some Of
them being killed. then went into the sleep
ing 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 l 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 rail at both ends A rope and strap were
tied in the bolt hole of the disconnected rail at
the west end, and a rope passed across the
ditch and upon the bank"
The passengers on the train report the scene
as terrible and battling description. When the
crush came, all were thrown forward, some en-
tirely out of the seats. Then came a recoil,
and Immediately after they heard firing, but
supposed it came from the wreck. Many men
Jumped from the cars aud started to go forward
and were ordered back by the robbers, who
continued firing and enforced their commands
by terrible oaths and threats. Back they went
and in the cars found women and children half
crazed with fright shrieking, crying and faint
ing, implorIng the men to protect them, and
exclaiming "My God!' we shall be kiedr
The stoutest hearts quailed and felt that they
were at the mercy of desperadoes.
Altogether it was q scene unprecedented in
the history of rairoading in this country, as
never before had so reckless and daring
scheme been carried into completion. All
western Iowa is in fever of excitement.
Farmers for miles around are leaving the har-
vest fields with their families and visiting the
scene of the robbery.
The engine and baggage car remain as they
were last night. The former is badly wrecked.
Superintendent Boyce estimates the loss by
the company at about $4,000.
: Gov Carpenter has issued a reward OF $5OO
for the arrest of each person engaged in the
robbery
CHICAGO, July 23.-The Rock Island Rail
road offer reward of $1,000 for the detection
of the parties who robbed the train near Adair,
Iowa