Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-10
ATTEMPTED EXPRESS ROB-
Berry.
The GrOssest Outrage OF the Ye8r-A
Train Seized By q Band Of Thieves
who Hill the Engineer aLd
Attempt Robbery.
Bravery OF Express-HeSsenRer Burke
Determined Pursuit OF the Rob-
beers by the Traia-men and
Two SOldiers-GTeat
Excitement.

GIN CINNATI, une "a dispatch to
J. II, Rhodes, superintendent of Adams
express company, in this city, states
that desperate attempt was made to
rob Express M essengeT Burke at Long
Point, Illinois, on the Vandali8 railroad,
last right. The engine and car were
cut loose, and the engineer killed.
Burke barricaded the doors and kept
the robbers at bay until help arrived
TERRA HAUTE, INDIANA, June g.
Long Point, a station on the Vandalia
railroad, three miles west of Casey, Hi
nGis, is a place where ali trains on that
road usually stop for water. Il is lone
some place, situated in the woods, with
no one living within a mile and half
of it. 1t has long been considered by the
railroad men as 3 dangerous place. Sey-
eral times lately the engineers have seen
suspicious persons lurking about there
at night, and have run by without stop
ping for water. Last night, as train No.
five, east bound, Conductor Farley and
Engine Miles Ames, came up to Long
Point for water, two men boarded the
locomotive, one from each side, and
said to the engineer to "pull out" The
engineer was at first somewhat beWild-
erej, when they said again, ''pull
OUT" when he, seeming to
comprehend the situation, said,
"all right, Pill: pull out" The men
then said, I've will run the thing our
selves" and at that both Of the robbers
fired; one OF the shots killed the engi-
neer instantly, the other lodged in the
ceb. The fireman, who was on the tank
taking in water, Immediately jumped
and ran to the rear of the train TO notify
the train-men, having heard the con-
versatiOn and pretending the situa-
ton. During the proceedings at the en-
gin5 confederate had detached the Adj
ans express car, and they, then pulling
the engine wide open, ran her about
two miles east and stopped, blowing off
brakes TO deceive the express messenger.
Trey then came to the door OF the car
ana said, 'let me in, Jack" Hereplied
to them: "YOu -, Pm ready for
you, Ii you ever come in here you are
dead" The robbers then commenced
firing into the car. The messenger,
Burke, said it seemed to him that there
WIS a dozen OF them, as the shots
seemed to come from ail directions. The
conductor aud train-men, after
tbs shots We're fred, saw the situa-
ton Of affairs, and st once set about
10 pursue them. They could only
find one revolver on the train, but found
two soldiers on the train who were
armed with caTbines. With these weap-
ons the train.men and the two soldiers
started in pursuit OF the train and rob-
bers, but when they came up to the train
all was quiet, the robbers having fled.
They found the engineer in the bottom
Of his cab cold and stiff. There CHANGED
to be a freight engineer, Jack Wander
GRIT on the train, and he, with the fire.
man, Immediately ran the engine back
TO the train and brought it in. The roC-
bers failed 10 gain any entrance what
ever into the express car, it being one Of
the close kind, having no windows and
very strong every wsy. Had they de-
tached the American express car also,
which was Immediately in the rear Of
the Adams, they would undoubtedly
have accomplished their object, as it was
an open car, having windows and the
doors not icing very strong. They found
the hammer by which the coup.
ling pin was removed, which
may hereafter serve 80 clue to
the discovery Of the perpetrators of this
outrage. The trainmen spoke in very
fiatteriDg terms Of the pluck and bravery
displayed by Express Messenger Burke
under the trying circumstances in
feeling among railroad men over the
tragical death OF Engineer Ames, and
should the perpetrators be caught it is
very generally believed that it will not
cost the State anything TO prosecute
them. Engineer Ames was one of the
best engineers on the road, about thirty
five yeaA old, and had been married
but q short time. The robbers who
boarded the locomotives wore long linen
busters. Conductor Fraley, and sll the
train-men, in fact, did what they could
under the circumstances, Several suS-
picious persons are already under arrest,
and every effort will be made by the
railroad company to bring the robbers TO
justice. They have, it is understood, al
ready offered a reward of one thousand
dollars. These particulars have been
gathered from one OF the train-men, who
was a witness of the whole affair.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
ST. LOUIS, July "a good deal of in
formation has been received here to-day
regarding the murder of Engineer Ames
and the attempted robbery of the Van
daiia railroad train at LOngpOint last
night, but the main facts Of the case are
fully covered by the account from Terre
Haute this morning, Major Simpson,
general superintendent OF the Vandalia
road, received dispatch stating that
three men had been arrested, one of
whom is known to have been engaged
in the murder. The Vandalia company
offered one thousand dollars for each
man connected with the affair. TIE
city council of Casey offered one hun
bred and fifty dollars reward, and this
sum is expected to be largely increased
~ the county and State authorities.
Engineer Ames was q native OF Wash
ingtOn, Massachusetts, where he has
brother. Another brother is conductor
on the Missouri Pacific road.