Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-24
NO. 173.
Misfella
FUNNY SIDE OF A sEsIOUs NATfER.

FUNNY SIDE OF A SEKIOUS NATTER.
JEFFERSON CRY. July 12.~Concerning
the Missouri Pacific express robbery, Miss
Peabody, an ex-Jefferson City lady, and
now teaching school at Denver City, who
was on the captured train. gave the fol.
lowing interesting statement to the Jeffer-
son City Tribune reporter:
"After leaving Otterville." said Miss
Peabody, II was doing in a reclining
chair-probably fast falling asleep. Sud-
denly the train was brought to halt, and
a moment later a man rushed hurriedly
through the car. believe he was the ex-
press messenger. Some one asked him
what was the matter. The train is being
robbed. that's what's the NATTER he hur.
riedly replied, and kept on. Then all was
commotion and confusion. Including my
self there were three ladies in the car. /
confess that was terribly frightened and
thought l should faint, but'-and Miss
Peabody laughed at the remembrance II
saw that there was no one handy to catch
or care for person in faint. and con-
cIuded to omit this part of the programme
Meanwhile shots were being fired on the
outside, and we could hear numbers of
men cursing and swearing. suppose the
shots were fired for the purpose Of intimi-
dation. believe our car was next to the
smoking-car. Directly the car door was
thrown open. and in stalked two of the
robbers. The leader put his hand on tho
shoulder of brakeman aud said, Here,
l want you,' and hustled him out. We
thought they were going to shoot him,
but l suppose now, they wanted him to
idontifC tho oYnrpco rpossnnnor
1t was rare fun-I mean It is amusing
to look back at it now. nothing funny in
it then-to see the passengers concealing
their valuables. Here you would see q
man with his boots off cramming his green.
backs in his socks; several-Mr. Marshall
Of Fulton, among the rest-tossed their
cash, watches, &C., into coal-box; others
were upon the backs of seats hunting
holes for their pocket-books. 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
sanctimonious looking Individual, evident
forth with the old familiar song. I'm
ering, doeful 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 instead of starting camp meet
ing. Having finished the hymn. he arose
that he had been follower of the Lord
for ever so many years-that he was a
true and consistent member Of the Church
that he had never wronged fellow be-
ing, but that if he was doomed to be MUIR
dered he wanted his remains forwarded
to his family in New York, and to write
them he had died true to the faith and in
the hope of glorious resurrection. The
tumult outside continued. We could dis
tinctly hear them pounding away at the
Adams Express safe, and their coarse
Oaths and imprecations at being delayed.
Occasionally shots were fired. The lead
er of the robbers, "a tall, fine-looking man,
accompanied by one Of his comrades, pass
ed through the car. You need not be hid
ing your money. said the leader. we do
not intend to disturb you.' He wore red
handkerchief over his face, with holes cut
for his eyes and mouth. Below the hand
kerchief appeared his beard-very long,
but probably false. His companion was
smaller and rougher-looking man. His
mask was simply white handkerchief
tied over the lower portion OF bis face.
The upper part was plainly visible. He
remarked that we must consider them an
awful set of reprobates. The inquiry for
arms showed three pistols in our car. One
of these was owned by lady. Through
out the whole affair she remained perfect
ly cool and collected, and refused to ac-
commodate gentleman with the loan of
her pistol. When some one said this was
the work of the James boys, she laugh
ingly remarked that her name was James,
but she hoped none OF her relatives were
engaged in such disreputable business.
The newshoy had pistol and made his
way to the front platform. Looking up
the bluff, he deserted the figure of a man
and fired. In an instant the shot was re-
turned. The ball passed between the
plucky newsboy and gentleman who
was also on the platform, and both of them
sought shelter without ceremony. Think
ing that the robbers might fire through
the windows, l got off the chair and took
position on the floor. The sanctimoni-
Gus New Yorker. who was going away to
die no more. thinking. doubtless. that
was engaged in prayer. softly approached
and asked if was prepared to die?
was not in humor to enlighten him upon
the subject. We were detained about an
hour, when the robbers, having accom-
pished their purpose, gave us permission
to proceed. 1t was one Of the episodes