The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-07-16
ROAD AGENTS.
Robbery of a train near
Winston.
Two men killed by the
Robbers.
A sum of money taken from
the Express Agent.
Full account of the affair from
one of the passengers.

berry was accomplished last nlght on the
Kansas City Division of the c., R. /. d F.,
which is certainly one of the most cold
blooded affairs that has occurred in this
section of country for several years.
The train was boarded at Winston by a
gang of men, while a number of accom-
plices were already in the different cars.
At given signal the robbers rushed for
ward and shot the conductor, and made an
effort to kill the engineer. The latter es-
capped in.the darkness, and stone mason,
who was one of the passengers, was mista-
ken for the engineer and killed immediate
ly. Having secured possession of the train,
one of them ran the engine, the steam
was applied, and the train started over the
track at a furious rate of speed
THE ROBBERS
Then started TO the express messenger
and another squad started for the cars
when the order was given the passengers
to hold up their hands and give up their
money and yaluables.
The men sent to the express car succeed
ed in knocking the messenger down and
securing his keys, with these they opened
the safe and secured all the money and
valuables which it contained. The mes
senger was knocked down because there
was not enough money in the safe to salts
fly the robbers. They threatened to kill
him, but spared his life when he told them
that there was no more money in his pos
session.
IN THE CARS.
Before the robbers succeeded
in robbing the passengers brake
man who had not been noticed by
the gang pulled the air brake and the train
came to standstill This frightened the
robbers who left the train and made for
the woods. As soon as the passengers and
what few train men remained recovered
themselves the engineer steamed up and
started the train for this city. The passen-
gers arrived here about II o'clock this
morning, having been detained for some
time on account Of a washout the other
side of Davenport. Among the passengers
was
E. L. MARTIN,
of Kansas City, who registered at the Har
per House. He was visited by an ARGUS
representative and gave the following &C
count of the affair:
The train left Kansas City at 80 o'clock
last evening. and consisted of six cars
well filled with passengers, including a
sleeping coach. Supper was furnished at
the regular eating station and no event
occurred to excite the suspicion of the pas
sengers or trainmen until Winston was
reached, which was at $50 o'clock. At
that station four rough appearing men got
on the train, with handkerchiefs tied about
their faces so as to partially conceal their
features
The first intimation that the passengers
received that there was anything wrong
was the cry ''all aboard" which appeared
to be signal. At that instant the four
men as well as several others who had
come from Kansas City and Cameron made
a rush for the engine and for the conduc-
tor, Charlie Westfall.
Firing was heard in the front cars, as
well as on the engine, and then the train |
was put in motion at a forty mile per hour
rate.
THE CONDUCTOR
On giving the signal two of the men
made for the first coach, where the con-
ductor was standing. One of the men went
up TO Conductor Westphall, and pointing a
pistol at him, said, eYou are the man /
want" After saying this the robber fred
his pistol the bali striking Westphall in the
arm, but did not prove fatal. Westphan at
tempted to run. and as he did SO the rob- |
Der fired twice at him. Westphall reached
the platform, and then second robber fir
ed the shot which killed him instantly
The conductor fell dead on the platform.
He was wounded in several place, but the
last shot took effect in the brain producing
almost instant dsath.
ON THE ENGINE.
Three of the robbers started for the en-
CINE with the intention of shooting the en-
gineer and taking possession of the engine
The engineer seemed to apprehend that
there was danger, as on the approach of
the trio, he started back on the engine and
secreted himself in the tender
A stone mason by the name of MiIlen
came forward from the baggage car while
the shooting was In progress. The rob-
bers mistook him for the engineer and
shot him, the ball taking effect in his
heart
IN THE EXPRESS CAR.
Charley Murray, the express messenger
was also visited by some of the robbers
He was knocked over the head, and made
to deliver the keys to his safe The rob-
bers ransacked the safe and secured $500
in money, $500 in valuables, and govern
ment bond to the amount of 81 600 Muir
ray was threatened with instant death if
he concealed anything, but was permitted
to live on informing them that all his val
uables were in the safe.
AMONG THE PASSENGERS.
The brakeman on duty whose name can
not be ascertained, rs soon as he learned
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