The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-04
CAR ROBBERS TRAPPED.
How the Plot to Rob an Express Car Of s4O0, coo
was Frustrated and the Thieves Caught


was Frustrated and the Thieves Caught
The Toledo Blade describes how the
four ex-employes of the railway COM
pany, who attempted to rob the eastern
night express train from Chicago on
Wednesday night were caught, as briefly
told in the kilograms. The Blade says:
Nearly week ago Messrs. Cone and
Chaplin, Superintendent and Agent OF
the United States Express Company for
this city, learned that robbery of one
their cars on the Air Line was contem-
plated, and that the attempt would be
made night before last. On the night
of the 26th Messrs. Cone, Chaplin aud
Tim Hart, of the express company;
Captain Purdy and Sergeant Nohl of
the regular force, and Detective Cava-
naugh of the Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern Railroad, took No. 5 and went
to Archibald. Just before reaching
Wauseon they saw a camp fire il the
woods around which were gathered sew
eral men. At Wauseon the officers
changed to the east bound Chicago ex-
press, which arrives in the city at 2:40
A. VI.
that train, the same parties again took
the midnight train going west lasr night.
At Archbald-as on the night before
they changed to the express, eastward
bound. In the express car were some
S275, 900 in currency, and over S125, 900
in bullion, in charge of Mr.. Edward
Lacy, messenger. At Wauseou fourfor-
mer employees of the railroad got on
r6 no II Hon
well, an ex-freight conductor; Charles
and Frank Dwight, and William Emery,
alias Sophus. This party left this city
some time ago. and went to within from
one-half to three-quarters of a mile of
Wauseon, where they camped out in the
woods near the railroad track, to perfect
their plan. As there was no express car
attached to the train night before last,
no attempt was made, but last night
everything was favorable, the express
car was in the train, the night was dark,
and the rain poured down in torrents,
and as was expected, the gang boarded
the train at Wauseon. The two Dwights
and Sophus Immediately climbed upon
the roof of the baggage car, while
Hartwell remained upon the platform of
the same car. After a careful survey of
1uC ouifOuluinSSy hdIbWcli pIOuuCCu a
threefourth inch auger and bored a hole
in the center of the express door, through
which he observed the location of the
express matter, safe, and saw Lacy, the
messenger, by the dimly burning light
in the car. Finding the messenger ap-
parently asleep, he proceeded to bore
three or more holes near the lock, and
with a panel saw, cut out hole suffi-
a. L.. L.
through to loose the fastenings. The
remainder of the gang then descended
from the roof and took their places up
on the platform of the express car. Dur
ing the interval the officers had not been
Idle. Mr.. Cone seized the bellcord and
anxiously awaited the moment to give
the signal to the officers in the baggage
car. Mr.. Chaplin stood ready to seize
the arm that was to be thrust through
the prepared opening to unfasten the
door. Capt. Purdy held the bell cord |
in his hand, ready to receive his signal. |
Sergt. Nohl and Detectives Cavanaugb |
and Tibbets stood near the door ready to |
make spring which was to secure the
robbers, dead or alive. Shortly after
passing Swanton the proper time seemed |
to have arrived, and Hartwell cautiously
inserted his hand into the opening he
had made. With bated breath he was
seen to feel for the key which would un-
lock the door. As soon as there was
enough of his arm through the hole, Mr..
Chaplin seized his hand with a grip of
iron, and held it there despite all his
desperate struggles to release it. He
was in the tolls, and the vise-like grip |
was not for an instant relaxed until he |
was ironed. Mr.. Cone gave the signal |
at the same instant Mr.. Chaplin seized |
his man; the door of the baggage room
was opened, and the officers rushed like |
an avalanche upon them. Sergt. Nohl, |
who happened to be in the lead, ''froze"
to a man with either hand. Detectives
Cavanaugh and Tibbets each went
for a man. Captain Purdy, in the
darkness, laid hold of Sergeant NohI,
but being informed of the error. took
the one that Jake had nailed with his
right hand, and thus relieved the Ser
geant none too soon. Had there been
sufficient light, most thrilling and des-
perate struggle would have been seen.
There were eight persons on the narrow
platform of the car engaged in contest
for life and liberty. The rain had rem
dered everything as slippery as possible,
the night was dark, and the train was
running at speed of from thirty FIVE to
forty miles an hour. In their frantic
efforts to escape, they tried to throw
themselves from the train, and it was all
that the officers could do to prevent it,
Sergt. Nohl was drawn upon the hand
rail, and only prevented himself from
being dragged off and down the steps
upon the track by entwining his leg
around one of the standards. Cavan-
augb took Sophus, knowing him to be
dangerous man and capable of any
crime, by dealing him a crushing blow
upon the head with billy Instantly
the man fell insensible upon the plat
form, unable to make any resistance.
Detective Tibbits, who happened to be
On the train, assisted in keeping the
other fellow who had forced Cavanaugh
nearly off the train, from doing any
damage. In less time than one can i'm
agine, the whole affair was over. 1t is
very singular, with the number of re-
yolvers that were in hand, that no shots
we're fired. Had there been the least
lault or catch in the instantaneous rush
hat completely overwhelmed them, or
lad they been allowed opportunity,
here is no doubt but that the gang
would have fought to the death. Cap
ain Purdy says that he thought Cavan-
lugh was gone, he was so nearly over
he hand rail. 'Sophus' is generally
lnown as Texas Bill and is a young
nan of fine physique, being a perfect
lthlete and able to handle with ease any
wo ordinary men. He is known des- i
'erado, and was an outlaw when he left
Texas, some five or six years ago
1harles Dwight is well known in police {
ircles, having been arrested for stealing
rom the railroad company repeatedly.
rank Dwight has also been arrested for
similar offense, hut upon trial was not
onvicted Hartwell WIS formerly in
he employ of the Lake Shore and Mich
gan Southern Railroad as a freight con-