The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-07-11
THE TURPINS OF 1876.
A Missouri Pacific Express Train
in the Hands Of the
Night Riders.
TRAIN MEN AND PASSENGERS CURSED
INTO A CONDITION OF MAST
ERLY INACTIVITY.
An Express safe Cracked After Half
an Hours Pounding ana Reliev-
cd Of ITS Contents.
(From the St. Louis Times Of Sunday

(from the ST. Louis Times Of Sunday
When the leaves are out and the nights
warm the night riders will be heard from.
The lesson was taught at the Gadshill,
Muncie and the Rock Island train rob-
berries, as well as by the raids on the Ste.
Genevicye. Corydon, Gallatln, Russell
vile and Huntington. To the long list !
of bold operations is added Rocky Cut. |
The Missouri Pacific Express No. 4
reached the city yesterday morning with |
a couple of plundered safes, and a story OF
robbery to tell beside which all ordinary
exploits seem Insignificant.
The train under Conductor Tibbets left
Kansas City at 4:45 Friday afternoon, ar
riv,ng at Sedalia without accident shortly
after nine. After brief halt to receive
the express matter Of the Adams Com
pany, which owns the ~, X, and L. route
and transports to st. Louis from Sedalia
In the care of the United States Express
| Company which owns the Missouri Pa
| citlc route, the train steamed onward. At
about half-past ten the heavy down grade
east of Otterville was reached and the
train started into wild piece of country,
| little settled and full of ravines and heav-
| lily timbersd. About three miles east OF
| Ottervlle the road runs down what is
called Rocky Cut. Out in the open coun-
try the moon cast flood of light. In
Rocky Cat the high precipitatious sldes
threw heavy shadows and the darkness
grew stronger by contrast. There
THE TRAP WAS SET.
A mile away from the cut, at Lamine
bridge, the robbers had picked up a
Waterman and had gagged and pinioned
him. He had been forced to join them,
taking his lantern in hand.
AT the lower end Of the cut they sta
toned the Waterman, and behind him
they piled heaps of ties. AS the train
came inside down the cut, they loos ened
the watchman'S arms, stationed them
selves on the sides of the cut, and babe
him signal halt. Responsive to the
waving light the engineer whistled down
brakes. With momentum largely over
come the engine struck the distractions,
! climbed upon the ties foot or more, then
, slipped back again upon the rails. BEFORE
} the train stopped, men were at work on
the track behind putting up a barricade,
, others with drawn revolyers were climb
I into the engine cab and the express car,
Y while from the bank on either side came
: oaths and yells and the sharp rafting fire
> OF revolyers. Up and down each side OF
. the train marched stalwart guard,
i threatening death to anyone who came
from the ears or looked out of the win.
!. dows, Outside this was the programme
= faithfully carried out tor over an hour
S Inside, with the train men under guard
e the robbers piled their work at the safes
e until finally, having
Is EIFLED THE STRONG BOXES
;, of both companies. they departed will
imprecations.
l. None OF the passengers were robbed
y and no indignity offered beyond the con
e tinual cursing and backguardlsm used
n with the evident purpose Of preserving
s. the first effect OF intimidation and panic
d The train consisted Of two baggag
cars, three coaches and two sleepers
yj The passenger list was heavy one. bu
n during the halt In Rocky Cut 1t was a
> exceedingly quiet one. How the frigh