Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-08-05
THE FUNNY SIDE.
stsry or Lady whs was Present At tho
Train Robbery In Missouri.

THE FUNNY SIDE.
Story Of Lady whs was Present At the
Train Robbery In Missouri.
Concerning the Missouri Pacific OK.
press robbery, Miss Peabody, an OK.
Jersey City lady, and now teaching
school at Denver City, who was on the
captured train, gave the following inter
esting statement to the Jefferson City
Tribune reporter
cater leaving Otterville," said Miss
chair-probably fast falling asleep.
Suddenly tho train was brought to a
halt, and moment later man rushed
hurriedly through the car. I believe
he was the express messenger. Some
one asked what was the matter. The
train is being robbed, that's what's the
matter, hs hurriedly replied, and kept
on. Then all was commotion and con-
fusion. Including myself there were
three ladies in the Car. confess that I
was terribly frightened and thought I
should faint, but and Miss Peabody
laughed at the remembrance-"I saw
that there was no one handy to catch or
care for q person in q faint, and con.
cluded to omit this part of the pro-
gramme. Meanwhile shots we're being
fired on the outside, and we could hear
numbers OF men cursing and swearing.
I suppose the shots were fred for the
purpose of intimidation. I believe our
car was next to the smoking car. Di-
rectly the Car door was thrown open,
and in stalked two Of the robbers. The
leader put his hand on the shoulder of
q brakeman and said Here, I want
you, and hustled him out. We thought
they were going to shoot him, but, I
suppose now, they wanted him to iden-
tify the express messenger. It was rare
fun-I mean it is amusing to look back
at it now, nothing funny in ii then-to
see the passengers concealing their valu-
ables. Here you would see q man with
his boots off, cramming his greenbacks
in his socks ; several-Mr. Marshall, of
Fulton, among the rest-tossed their
cash, watches, etc., into coalbox;
others were up on the backs of seats
hunting holes for their pocketbooks.
Wherever anything could be concealed,
something was sure to find its way.
"The conductor, excited and nervous,
hurriedly passed through and told all
who had valuables to take care of them.
The most ludicrous incident can now
recall was when sanctimonious looking
evidently scared almost out
of his wits. broke forth with the old
familiar song: I'm going home to die
no more His quavering, doleful voice
echoed through the car with lugubrious
effect. Some of the male passengers
were ungallant enough to interrupt him |
with the remark that he had better be
getting his money out of the way in
stead of starting camp meeting. Hav-
ing finished the hymn, he arose and gave |
in his experience. He stated that he |
had been follower of the Lord for ever |
so many years-that he was true and
consistent member of the church-that
he had never wronged fellow being,
but that if he was doomed to be MUIR
dered he wanted his remains forwarded
10 his family in New York, and to write
them that he had died true to the faith
and in the hope of q glorious resurrec-
lion. The tumult outside continued.
We could distinctly hear them pounding
away at the Adams Express safe, and
heir coarse oaths and imprecations at
being delayed. Occasionally shots were
fred. The leader of the robbers, tall,
inc looking man, accompanied by one
If his comrades, passed through the
,ar. You need not be hiding your
said the leader, we do not in
end to disturb YOU He wore a red
over his face, with holes
,ut for his eyes and mouth. Below the
handkerchief appeared his beard-very
ong, but probably false. His companion
vas O smaller and rougher looking
nan. His mask was simply white
tied over the lower por-
ion of his face. The upper part was
plainly visible. He remarked that we
must consider them an awful set Of rep
obates.
"The inquiry for arms showed three
pistols in our car. One of these was
,wned by lady. Throughout the whole
flair she remained perfectly cool and
and refused to accommodate
,eutleman with the loan of her pistol.
When some one said this was the work
# the James boys, she laughingly re-
marked that her name was James, but
he hoped none of her relatives were en-
aged in such disreputable business.
The newsboy had pistol and made his
vay to the front platform. Looking mp
he bluff, he deserted the figure of a
nan and fred. In an instant the shot
vas returned. The ball passed between
he plucky newsboy and gentleman
7ho was also on the platform, and both
+ them sought shelter without cere-
nony. Thinking that the robbers might
ire through the windows, got off the
hair and took position on the floor.
,he sanotimonious New Yorker, who was
.oing away to die no more, thinking,
that I was engaged in prayer,
oftly approached and asked if L was
repaired to die9 was not in humor
0 enlighten him upon the subject. We
7ere detained about an hour, when the
obbers, having accomplished their pur-
ose, gave lis permission to proceed.
t was one of the episodes of my life
shall never forget"