The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-11-17
ROBBERY ON THE RAIL.
Mexican Express Train Attacked
by a Band Of DesperadOes.
$4,000 in Silver Bullion StOlen-- Charley
Ford Attacked id His Missouri
Home Crime in General.

GALVESTON, Tex, Nov. 15.-The News
Laredo special says: In the wild, unin.
habited region near LaTzOrita, % miles
south of Laredo, about o'clock last ev.
ening, the regular train from SaltilIO
consisting of four coaches, one mail and
one express car, with 75 passen gers on
board, carrying mail and 5000 in sill
yer in the express safe, was going %
miles an hour when the engine turned
complete sOmeTsault, landing 20 feet
from the track, followed by the express
and two passenger cars. The other Goa
ches were derailed but not capsized. In
the confusion, word was passed that
fireman Fesslerawas crushed to death
and engineer Madden badly wounded.
The next moment the frightened, help
less passengers became aware they were
surrounded by "a party of despeTadOes,
who were attempting to force conductor
Burt TO give them the combination of
the safe. When member of the gang
lmpatlently knocked the knob with an
ak, Burt, with dozen Winchester rifles
leVeled at him, was compelled to strike
blow after blow upon the hinges. FL
nally, when given the alternative of
opening the safe in minute or having
his head blown off, he informed the rob
bers there was $4,000 in silver bullion
80 NAAC NAPAOoo btAAS anu LllO " uUlb gang
engaged in the work of carrying the
bars to pack-mules conveniently near.
AS the last bar was pulled out of the
wreck, the noise of the approaching
train was heard, with soldiers coming
up the track from the opposite direc-
tl0n. In few moments the robbers
had disappeared, but took no other BOOTY
The American customs officer had boar
ded the train at lOrita, the last station
passed, and Immediately after the train
was wrecked he started back on foot,
and brought his guards to the rescue.
fhe telegraph wire had been cut, and
the train dispatcher reported suspicious
OF foul play. Superintendent Lester or
dered special train sent out with one
hundred Mexican soldiers. Investiga-
ton showed that the mules had been
Kept III the thicket the night before,
when $4,000 in silver was shipped from
MOntery and Sal,illO to Laredo, but for
tunately the train was ten hours late,
passing the spot in day time, and was
thus saved. None of the passengers we're
robbed, as the robbers delayed so long
with the safe and bullion, DR.. VOking
and wife of San Antonio, and r. S. Wv
ian, Kansas City, were among the pas
sengers. They say the robbers were all
Mexlcans except the leader. The pas
sengers furnished detailed description
of the leader to the authorities, who
think he is a we'll known character of
Laredo. Engineer Madden saved the
lives of the passengers by the prompt
application of the air brakes.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. IA special from
Richmond, Mo-, says a deliberate at
tempt was made last Tuesday night to
assassinate Charley Ford ,One Of the slay-
ers of Jesse James, at the house of his
father, 2 miles from Richmond. Seven
unknown men concealed themselves in
the weeds near the house, and when
Ford came out during the evening, 81.
multaneOusly fired OH him, but strange
ly, without effect. Ford Immediately
drew his revolver, dashed into the weeds,
when the men ran, Tegained their hOr-
ses which were hitched near by, and al
though under fire of FOrd's revolver, so
far as known, escaped unhurt. The as
sassins were we'll mounted, and al
though unknown, it is suspected they
are young men of the neighbOrhOOd, as
there is very strong feeling among
the people against the Ford boys.