Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-10-03

Lost h now TO me-
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TIE BULLDOZED TRAIN.
what Charles Milier, thc Express
MesseugeF says Absut Is
Mr.. Charles Miller, the express
messenger on the Union Pacific who
was In charge of the express car rob-
bed on Tuesday night, at Big Springs,
arrived here yesterday from Fre-
mont, Nebraska. He gives some ad-
ditional particulars of the transaction.
About five minutes before eleven
O'Clock the robbers put in an appear
ance at Big Springs, and the first
thing Barnhart (the station agent)
knew he was confronted by two men,
armed to the teeth, and backed up BY
at least ten more, who kept at re.
spectacle distance, ready to render
any assistance to the advance guard
which might become necessary. The
two men showed their revolyers into
Barnhart's face, cursed him, and told
him to throw up his hands or they'd
elbow him to h--ll id quick" He
did as he was ordered, and after be-
ing searched by them for weapons,
was forced by them to destroy the
telegraph instrument and hang out q
signal light for stopping orders.
When the train put in an appear
ance, Conductor Patterson stepped
upon the platform, and two Of the
robbers met him promptly with re-
volvers. At first he thought they
were friends of his and were simply
trying to play joke upon him. They
as well as their companions in the
back ground, were thoroughly mask.
ed, even to their hair With vile inn
precautions they told the conductor
that it was no joke, and one of them
snapped his revolver at him, but for
tunately the weapon was not dis
said:
Patterson, its NO joke; they mean
business; you had better surrender
and not peril your life."
The robbers in the rear were well
armed, and at a given signal boarded
the train. Two Of them opened the
door to the baggage-car and called
out, "What car is this 2" Mr.. Blend,
the baggage-master appeared and
gave the desired information. They
showed their rcvOlvers into his face
and told him to "Get back at once
and shut the door," and that if he
dared 10 look out they'd blow him
through. With the utmost nonclial-
ance he obeyed orders, took out a
cigar, lit it, and sat down for calm
and undisturbed smoke. He didn't
look out. He had four needle guns
in the baggage room, but deemed
discretion the better part of valor in
this instance. And it was better prob
ably as 1t was, for if he had opened
fire on them, the whole outfit being
thoroughly armed and desperate.
would have made bloody work.
While the baggage-master was be-
ing thus disposed of, other robbers
were bull-dozing the train all along
the line. Daroman, the engineer, was
fireSsAt by one of the villains, but not
ait. It is probable that they only in
tended to intimidate him.
MI. Miller, in charge of the express
car, Jared worst. They entered that
car, presented their revolvers to hia
head, and demanded full information
regarding all moneys under his care.
The local safe, in which is deposited
all moneys received along the line Of
the road from Cheyenne to Omaha,
was broken open. From this they
obtained only about $4OO. Their eyes
next fell upon the through safe, pro-
vided with . combination lock, the
"open sesame" of which is only
known to the agents at Ogden, Chey.
enne and Omaha. Mr.. Miller was per-
emptorily ordered to open this. He
frankly told them the facts In the
case, and said he couldn't open it be.
cause he hadn't the combination. Thil
statement they regarded % entirely
too thin. They rammed their revolv-
ers into his face, knocking out hi
teeth and cutting his lips terribly.
He was struck in the face with theiI
fists and the butts of their weapons
in order to induce him to reveal the
combination, but, OF course, withou,
avail. Finally one of them espied
the three boxes containing the 60,00(
| in gold, and asked him what was ii
them. Mr.. Miller replied that he did
not know. One Of them said that h.
could "d-n soon find ont" and tax
ing an axe which was lying in the car
opened them with far more haste thar
care. When the treasure was revealed
the villains fairly boiled over will
rage, and said that he had lied Il
them about knowing what was in tn,
boxes, and now they knew ho spok'
falsely when he protested that h'
didn't know how to open tho safe
They then treated him even NOR
cruelly than before. He thought b.
would be killed then, sure. One o
the trainmcn then ventured to re
mark: "F0r Gods sake have mercy
on the man; he's telling you th'
truth about the matter. He cam
lopen the SAFE" The rAscals hadn'
any time to fool away, and probably
being convinced that he was tellinl
the Truth about the matter, abandon
cd all hope Of q look inside the safe
/ After bagging the 100000 in gold
taken from tho three boxes, they pro
ceeded to rob the passengcrs. Mel
stood ct each end Of the first-clas
car, armed, whilc others went thro
the pilgrims. A One-armcd man VIII
was robbed was given his money AMI
IjeWclry back again when tho rObbcr
discovered his unfortunate condition
None of tho lady passengers wer
. molested. After completing their rob
{ bing operations all but two Of III
| gang bid them pleasant good night
. and departed. The remaining tw
stood guard very short time I
, keep the passengers quiet afte
which they also withdrew.-Cheycns'
|, Daily Sun.
When railway Was open ed in Vii
ginia on certain occasion, 0 Bisho
81 vas called upon to mako the praye
Nothing in any prayer book, or
al usual private devotions would sxaetl
{ "applfcAte" the occasion. SO he wrot
oul . prayer, and read Il from q
!. nanuacTipt. This performance great
. aetonished some Of the negroes VII
hovered on the outakirts OF the crow
> aPomp," said one OF the ebonie
!. swhat dees ycu tiakot dat1" II tink