Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-09-09

was sitting in the smoking-car, talking with
conductor Jack Hazslbacker. We were on
the up grade, four miles from Independence.
All of sudden the train came to stop. L
heard loud voices and pistol shots, aud saw
lanterns flashing. We knew then that train
robbers were on Us. Hazslbacker ran back
into the train and warned tho passengers.
They were all locking out of the windows
until the robbers ordered them TO pull in
their heads and keep quiet. TIE robbers had
an obstruction on the rail and signaled l
am sure there were dozen of them, although
some OF the passengers place the number at
sixteen. Everybody was panic-sericken ard
helpless. | ran out of the car and found
men numbering the engineer and fireman.
They were poorly masked, but all were armed
with Henry rifles. They were swearing
loudly and shooting at random. Some passed
into the mail car, but did not touch any
thing. Express messenger Fox had in the
meantime barricaded the express car.
They climbed upon the car, ran around
and began to shoot. They then broke
in the car and knocked him down By a
violent blow on the head. They robbsd
the safe of everything l ran back into the
smoking-car and hid the most of my money.
The robbers came in and ordered me to lie
down. did SO. They pointed revolver at
me, and ordered me to g fork ever" I said
my money was under the cushion. They
told me to get it, aud [ got it in hurry, you
can bet. They went back to the other cars
and made wholesale robbery of money,
watches and jewelry. Some passengers Sc
GREETED their money, but the msjority lost all.
The ladies were compelled to cit down on the
floor, and some had earrings taken from their
ears and many lest their iewelry. One man
LOST 800. In the meantime q freight train
was coming up bshind US, and Burton, q
brakeman, came down the track with q storm
of bullets behind him, stopped the train and
probably saved many lives. After the cars
were gone through the robbers jumped of
and struck for the woods, where their horses
were. The men in front helped the train
men roll eff the distractions, ard then joined
their companions. [ should say we stood still
half an hour.
Frank Berton said was standing on the
front platform Of the sleeper when the train
stopped, and heard voices and oaths en- the
back Of the platform. | said we are going
to be robbed. Then one Of the robbers cried
out. - We are coming in and are going
through you al. !" I remembered the freight
train was just behind us, and heard it COM
ing up. jumped off and ran with my lantern
down the track. They commenced shooting
at me. The bullets whjstled all arouad ne
and struck the rails and stones. They must
said, For Gods SAKE. don'5 shoot the boy
He is saving tbs lives of these peo-
pie" Thea one of them threw up
one arm and cried. stop shooting"
| rolled into cut and waved my lantern
The train was stopped only car length off.
When | clnle back one of the robbers said,
Have youlozt any tLiae p answered, FIFTY
cents" He gave me 81 80 for interest
Then heard one of the robbers say to the
engineer, ''Choppy Frate, you're too good a
man TO keep up this business. Here's 50 TO
buy drink in the morning, ard drink it for
Jesse James, l warn you that you will be
killed il you don't leave this road We are
going to tear up and burst the Rock Island
and Alton roads, for they have been offering
rewards for us. We've no erudge against the
Pullmans, and will switch off their cars and
burn all the rest. am the man who killed
Westlake at Winston. He was too smart
and drew revolver" Burton did not think
it was jesse James or any Of his gang. They
all acted green at the business, and he thought
they were men living in the vicinity. They
all seemed quite young, and made no attempt
TO disguise their voices.
The passengers tell substantially the same
story as above.