The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-01-31
ROBBERS RoPED IN
AND FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS SAVED.


special telegram from Toledo, giving q
graphic account of an attempted robbery on
the Lake Shore railway and the capture Of
the thieves: Something like a week ago
Mr. Calvin Core, Superintendent of the
United States Express ComFaay a. this
point, Yves informed by woman, the mother
OF one of the robbers, that a gang of men,
several OF them discharged employees OF the
Lake Shore ROAD, we're maturing a plan for
the robbery OF an express car OF his line on
The air line division, which they intended to
carry into effect on last Tuesday
night. The plan for a portion of
the gang TO go to Wauseon, board the
East bound Chicago express, which reaches
here at 2:40 A. NJ, cut hole through the
door OF the car, undo its 1astenings, enter,
overcome the messenger, secure his key and
throw the safe of at Swan Creek crossing,
iust outside the ciGy, when another portion
of the gang would take possession of it an a
convey it 10 place of safety. The party on
the car were to effect their escape at Air
Line Junction, one mile from the city depot,
where the train always stops. This infOr-
nation was deemed reliable by the police
authorities, who were informed of the affair,
snd accordingly, on Tuesday night, Messrs.
Cone, Chaplin and Tim Hart, of the express
company. Capt. Purdy and Sergeant Nohl,
of the regular force, and Dstective Cavan-
sugh, ofthe Lake Shore railroad, took train
No. and went TO Archbold. Just before
reaching Wsuseon they saw camp fire in
the woods, around which were gathered
SEVERAL MEN, SUPPOSED TO BE ROBBERS.
At Wauseon the officers changed to the
east-bound Chicago express. There was no
attempt made to rob that train, the express
matter being in the baggsge-car on that
night. The same parties again took the
midnighi train going west last night. at
ArchbOld, as on the night before, they
changed to the express eastward bound. In
the express car were some Sl50,000 in cur
rency and some Sl4 900 in bullion, ia charge
OF MIR, r Lacy, messenger. This time they
were not doomed to disappointment. At
WsuseOD four men boarded the train, three
climbing on the root of the express car
which was just in the rear of the engine, and
one remaining on the front platform. Messrs.
Gone and Chaplin were in the express car, Sc
creted by the door nearest the
baggage car. Lacy, the messenger,
was lying down near the
center of the car. feigniHg sleep. CAPTAIN
Purdy, Sergeant Nohl and Detectives Csva-
nsugh and Tibbetts were in the end OF the
baggage car nesrest the express car. A
signal had been agreed u Don by which the
officers were TO suddenly open the door
rush out and secure their prisoners. Purdy
stood with a cord in his hand which Cone
ready o be sprung. A robber on the plat
form, after careful survey on the situation.
produced a three-quarter inch augur and
bored a hole in the center of the express
door, through which he observed the Ioca-
ton OF the express matter, safe, and mes
senger, by the dimly-burning light in the
car. Finding
THE MESSENGER APPARENTLY ASLEEP,
he proceeded to bore three or four more
holes near the lock, aud with panel saw
cut out hole sufficiently large to get his
arm through to loose the fastenings. TIE
remainder of the gang then descended from
the roof and took their places upon the plat
form of the express car, the officers remain
ing ganxiously in the positions assigned them,
awaiting developments. Shortly atsr
passing Swanton the proper time seemed to
have arrived, and q man cautiously inserted
his hand into the opening, feeling for the
key, which would unlock the door. As soon
as there was enough of his arm through the
hole Chaplin seized his wrist with grip OF
iron and held it there, des
pite all his struggles to release
1t. Mr.. Cone gave the signal; at the same
instant the door of the baggsgs-room was
opened and the officers rushed like an ava
lanche upon the robbers. Sergeant Nohl,
who happened to be in the lead, seizsd TO
man with either hand. Detectives Cav
anaugh and 1ibbetts each went for a man.
Captain Purdy, in the darkness, laid hold of
Sergeant Nohl, but ne being informed of the
error took the one Nohl had grssped with
his right hand and thus relieved the SER
geant none too soon. The night was dark
and rainy, and the platform of the car very
slippery. The train was running at the
rate OF forty miles an hour, and each robber
had in his hand revolver. Strange to say,
not shot was fired, but
EIGHT MEN STRUGGLED IN DESPERATE 81
LENCE
on the narrow, slippery platform, the rob-
bers endeavoring to throw themselves off
the train and the officers to drag them into
the cars. In less than five minutes the rob-
bers were jerked into the car, the door
closed and locked, and every one of them
ironei. The light of dark lantern was
turned on them, when they were recognized
as four former employees of the l. Ike Shore
and Michigan Southern load. Their names
are L. II. Hartwell, an ex freight conduc
tor, Charles and Frank Dwight, and William
Emery, alias "Sophus." Sopbus is generally
known rs "Texas Bill" He is q desparado,
and was an outlaw when he lett Texas,
some four or five years ago. Charles
Dwight is well known in police cir
cles, having been arrested for stealing
from the company repeatedly. Prank
OWiEub HAS dloO DCcl dIICStcQ lOl similar
ofiense, but upon trial wac rot convicted
Hsrtwell was formerly in tine employ of the
Lake Shore road ss fright conductor, but
was discharged some tune ago. This is the first
offense of any Importance laid to his charge.
he has wife AID two children living in the
Fifth Ward. 1t is said that for some time
he has been in arrears for rent, and that his
landlord was about to eject him; that a few
days ago he told him that he would be able not
only 10 pay him up but also to pay his rent
for six months in advance. No arrests have
yet been made of the remainder of the gang,
who were in waiting at Swan creek crossing.
The police authorities are very reticent as 10
the means they have taken for their cap
ture, and for their failure TO make any
arrests this morning.
Jesus preached from q lily and from a
handful of wheat, and from the stones of the
temple. and from vines, snd from coin.
Lessons of faith and honor and pufitv and