The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-06-09
A BOLD ROBBERY.

eloped to this country in 1868.
A BOLD ROBBERY.
AN EXPRESS ROBBERY NEAR MICHIGAN CITY
ONE OF THE ROBBERS KILLED AND THE
MESSENGER woUNDED>-S3 900 MISSING FROM
THE SAFE.
The Chicago Tribune of the 31st ult. gives
this account of a successful robbery on the
line of the Michigan Central: Friday after.
noon and evening the presence of two men
was noticed about tho depot at Michigan
City, on the line of the Michigan Central
road and their uncouth appearance attracted
the attention of the railroad officials, as also
that of the frequenters about such localities
in provincial towns. When the Atlantic
express. which left Chicago at quarter past
o'clock OF that day, halted at the station,
their moveme nts were noticed and it was OBJ
served that they boarded the front platform of
the express car Little attention was paid
them thereafter, and it was only in conse-
quence of the subsequent exciting events
which happened on the road that their
actions were recalled to the remembrance of
those who witnessed them. After the cars
had again got under way, and when in the
vicinity of Three Oaks, the twain began a
foray on the express car which eliminated
In the robbery of $500, and the death of
one of the bandits. 1t was nearly O'Clock,
and their motions were obscured from the
locomotive adioinging by the gathering
darkness. They availed themselves of this
knowledge to mount
on TOP OF THE CAR,
and, making their perilous way to the oppo-
site extremity, descended to the platform.
Once here, they took measures to protect
their operations from interference, and, as
the train rushed forward at the rate of 40
miles an hour, accomplished their under
taking. The express car was the connecting
link in the train between the locomotive and
that containing the baggage, and was in
charge OF Spencer Heath, an employee of the
American Express Company. Having Sc
curely fastened the door of the baggage car
by ropes tied from the knob to the
railing. they renewed the attempt to
This they succeeded in effecting by
means of a heavy iron bar, which enabled
them to pry it from the hinges, and the in
terror of the car with its contents was at
their disposal. Heath, the messenger, &C.
cupied seat opposite the safe, and, with
portfolio on his lap, was engaged in check
ing and making up the run, or, rather, dis
tributing the valuables consigned to his
care, to the end that expedition might be
used in their delivery. The roar and ram
BILE of the cars prevented his hearing their
movements, and the first knowledge he
stood in threatening attitude opposite him.
STARTLED BY THE SIGHT
which met his astonished gaze, he was upon
the point of rising to confront the despera-
does. when the larger of the couple struck
him violent blow with his fist, reinforced
by pair of brass knuckles, which forced
him from the chair he was sitting on to the
floor, in semi conscious condition. Though
stunned in measure by the brutal attack,
ne yet maintained his presence of mind and,
drawing his pistol, as the smaller william
stopped over him for the purpose, doubtless,
of concluding their dastardly attempt by
the commission of murder, fired, and the
ball lodging in his assailant's left temple,
he fell heavily to the floor, and yielded up
the ghost. In the darkness and gloom, with
his comrade dead on the floor, and the sub
ject of his attack apparently in the same
state, the robber made hasty investigation
of the object of his attempt, and, securing
money In packages amounting in the aggre-
gate to 81, zoo, swung himself from the scene
of strife. and robbery, and death, and es-
capped. When the train arrived at Niles the
depot master noticed the absence of light
in the express car, and he started toward the
side door with view to ascertain the cause.
He discovered the money packages strewn
over the floor, one OF the robbers lying dead,
With bullet-hole through his left temple,
floor near his victim, Unconscious. Fresh air
soon revived Heath somewhat, when he
told all he remembered.
THE CORPSE
was carried into the station-h house, and the
superintendent notified of the events. He
is a man not more than % years of age, with
light brown hair, fair complexion, an incipi-
ent blond mustache, and srrayed in the garb
of a workingman. This was evidently in
tended as disguise, for his skin was as
white. and hands as soft as a woman's,
indicated his occupation to have
been one not requiring manual labor or
muscular exertlon. Upon searching him
there was found bottle of 'chloroform, a
razor, and Canadian coin. From papers
discovered in an inside pocket, among which
were letters signed by Brother John,n it is
concluded that he bore the name of Charles
Queenan, and their superscription sending
them to the care of Joseph Agin, at Clinton,
Iowa, he must have resided in the vicinity
OF that city. The body has been identified
as that Of one of the men noticed at Michi-
gan City Friday night. It has been ascer-
tanned that about three thousand dollars was
taken by the escaped robber. 1t may be that
he was too badly frightened to tarry long
enough to make way with any more Of the
booty.