The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-09-08
THE LATE EXPREss ROBBERY.
Bacon Montgomsry's Account Of It, To-
gether with His Views, Based ON n Va
riety OF Evidence.

e'EhhHAAf HAVsf @hAHaeA ~ -"
morning the BdzOo publishes a lengthy
statement of facts and circumstances
connected with tho late express robbery,
much of which, having never appeared
in print, may justly be elassed as the
unwritten history of this important
event. Ii is written by Major Bacon
Montgomery, who was connected
throughout with the pursuit in this To-
cality. 1t may be proper here 10 re-
mark that, if a posse had been sent di-
rect from here toward Warsaw when
desired by Montgomery, in his letter
from Florence, Immediately after the
robbery, the results of tie pursuit would
not have been so bootless. 1t is Mont
gomery's opinion that bis posse were
near the robbers while they were en-
gagged in dividing the spells.
The account begins with the well
known fact that the CRANKY Mining and
Smelling Company, though not bank,
pays out a large amount of money 10 its
employees. This money is sent from ST.
Louis ON Thursdays and paid out al
CRANKY on Fridays. Hobbs Kerry is an
employee of this company, and saws he
was induced by Bruce Younger 10 form
a conspiracy 10 rob the company's safe
before it, contents could be paid OF.
Charley Pitts and Caldwell Were taken
into the plot, also a saloon-keeper named
K. L. Stapp, who reluctantly consented.
Stapp informed Judge Hersey, the Su-
Derintendent, of the plot 10 rob his Of
ice, who in turn wrote the facts 10 Chief
McDonough, in ST. Louis. One Of the
conspirators, under an assumed name,
took diagram of the office, although
he was known by Hersey. SiN men were
sent from IT. Lo3is, armed with shot
guns and revOlvers, who represented
themselves rs miners. They secured a
room next 10 the cOmpany's Office, and
cut a panel from the partition door 10
enable them 10 have a clear insight Of
any transactions with the safe. There
was considerable delay in perfecting
plans by the conpirators, and in the
meantime Pitts and Caldwell robbed
the Baxter Springs Bank in daylight 10
keep their hands in. The Youngers
were written to, and at first refused 10
enter into the plan, bus subsequently
yielded assent. They refused Bruce
Younger having any thing 10 DO with Il.
The plot was understood Is given up by
Stapp, when the detectives returned
home. Kerry's letters - Pitts and
Caldwell were intercepted, and il was
understood the YoUngers were still hold
ing back. Merry, Pitts and Caldwell
then left Walfeld. Kas., for the purpose
of hunting the Youngers. In jackson
County the trio met Frank james, who
was only known 10 Pitts. This meeting
is fully described in KerrT's statement.
IL seems the Jameses, lOungers and
Clel. Miller wanted these hands in a
new Job, of which Kerry SAYS he knew
nothing until near the scene. These
three new men divided, and travelled
with separate gangs of the thorough
breds.
The descriptions Of the Youngers and
James can be obtained all the way from
Jackson County TO the scene Of the rob-
berry, demonstrating the fact that her-
rvs statement is true. squire Duvall,
twelve miles south from here, at whose
house the party stopped, suspected at
once their true character. He wrote
their descriptions down while fresh in
his memory, and added, Look out for
robbery" Mrs. Hersi, at Upton,
gave a minute description Of jesse
James and Bob Younger. Cole Younger
feasted on cheese, crackers, etc, while
on the route, avoiding hoHses, saying:
1T wont DO for me - 90 % houses like
you fellows this id Old bald head
OF mine will give me away" Kerry
was fully identified by Mrs Duvall, at
whose house the party took dinner on
sunday previous 10 the robbery. Her
identification broke down all his previ
Gus denials, which, with his letter to
Stapp, produced by Chief Nc
Donough, confessed AL. He i'm
plored those present to
use their influence to got him a short
sentence He said if his confession was
ever known he would be killed by the
party, particularly the James boys.
He says Cole Younger Is brave and
generous man, cool as an iceberg,
while the Jameses are impulsive. lie
made known the spot where the division
/ of money was made. Tie said some OF
the party believed they were going too
/ far north after the robbery and they
would be captured, when Jesse James
said they would stop and divide when
/ each could 90 as thsy pleased. Jesse
James tore the ends off the envelopes
and separated the money in piles ae-
/ cording 10 the denomination. IL took
two hours TO complete this job. He
proposed burning the surplus papers,
when Cole Younger said, No, il will
do somebody some good; they will find
their papers and then be all RICH"
The Jameses and Youngers took supper
at Mr.. Baynor's, two miles from where
the money was divided.
Annandad To this IL tho statement Of