Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-11
ANOTHER BOLD b
Startling Dispatch from General SUI
p%erlntendent N. ]. O'Brien, Of
the South ern Express Com.
paBy-Full Particulars.


@4@11N 49, ~
The Texas and Pacific train was at
tackled last night at Mesquite by fifteen
heavily armed d~esperadoes. The express
and other cars were riddled with bullets.
The messenger and conductor resisted
the robbers for half an hour, and only
surrendered after the car was saturated
with oil and ignited. Two robbers were
shot, but they we're carried of by their
confederates. The conductor Of the train
was shot. Our loss was slight, but of the
mail it is unknown. The United States
marshal aud postal officials here have
combined, and efforts are being made to
secure the outlaws. No pains or expense
will be spared to effect their arrest. The
community is very Indignant.
NJ. j. 0'BRIEN, Gen'l sup't.
The above is a special telegram from
NJ. J. 0'Brien, general superintendent OF
the Southern and Texas Express Com
panies to VIM. Willis, superintendent OF
the Southern express Company, who has
headquarters in this city. The telegram
is dated Dallas, Texas, and shows that the
robbery, while well planned, was eour-
sgeously resisted, even at the risk Of life
itself, Q fact which not only atteSts the
character Of the men employed by the
company, but the excellence aud relia.
biliiy which dictate the selection Of per.
sons entrusted with the affairs and bust.
ness Of the Southern and Texas Express
compapies. During the past Eve weeks
there have been no less than half a dozen
mail aud express robberies in Texas,
occurring at Hutchins. Paris, Eagle Ford
aud other places. General Superinten
dent NJ ]. 0'Brien left here last Sunday
for Texas to investigate the robbery at
Eagle Ford, as he had received a tele.
gam announcing that fact. He, as
the representative of the Southern
and the Texas Express compa.
MES, will spare no pains or ex
psnse to apprehend and have punished
the daring outlaws who have been com
hitting such outrsges in Texas. Detec
tive Pinkerton and q full corps Of assist.
ants from Chicago, as we'll as the reliable
aud nnAinching detective Of the Southern
Express Company, Pat COnnell, Of Mem.
phis, are in Texas, aud the bold thieves
may well stand in dread Of the sure
work which these officers will do, for q
more determined or efficient force can
not be found ia America or Europe
The express companies have certainly
shown more liberaliiy and exercised g
greater degree Of jealous energy and un.
firing enterprise in the discovery, arrest
and conviction Of criminals than is to
be found 10 any corporation or State
policy in the Uaion.
The Southern and Texas express com
panies already offer a reward Of $4,000
for the detection and capture Of the out
laws who have been operating in Texas
The express goods, money aud other
valusblss which msy have been stolen
by these outlaws will involve no loss
upon the owners thereof, as the express
companies are not only liable for, but at
all times ready and able to pay all risks
and losses. THIS fact, while manifesting
the reliability OF the Express companies,
the insecurity of the mails, AID
also shows the risks assumed by parties
shipping by any channel other than sx
press. The public would do we'll to con
this fact and thereby consult safe.
ty in the shipment of goods, moneys
and other vAluables.