Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-03

Story Told by the Express Messenger.
FORTUNATE PRESENCE OF MND-Hrs PISTOL
READY no HIS HAND-QUICK FLIGHT OF THE
MURDERER.

A telegram from Kansas City, Sept. so, says:
Patterson, the express messenger on the Atchi-
son, Topeka and Santa Fe train, which highway
men attempted to rob, tells the following story.
You are aware that the raid took place at
Coolidge, q station about ten miles east of the
Colorado state line, between and O'Clock In
the morning. There is an eating-house in the
station, and the train stopped there as usual for
twenty minutes in order to give the passengers
an opportunity to get lunch. The train was
No. 4, bound east, with Conductor Greeley, En-
gineer John Hilton, Fireman Paddle and Bag
gageman johnson. When the train stopped
put off some railroad mail which 1 had; and
there being no express matter to put of, and no
further work for me to do, laid down on my
box just in front of the side door, on the side of
the car next to the depot. After lying down q
few minutes ! dropped off into a doze.
II was lying on my back with my arms folded
over my bosom. Both doors ON the side of the
car next to the platform were open, Baggage
man johnson being seated back Of the side
door, looking out on the platform. Ny re-
volver, Colts Al calibre double action, lay at
my SIDE I had taken it out Of my scabbard and
laid it down that might be ready for any
emergency that might arise. The pistol lay
where could easily lay hands upon it.
1T was about time for the train to start when
heard the Words 'Come out OF there, you
d This woke me up, and I afterward
learned that the remark was made by Conductor
Greedy to man whom he noticed getting into
the car. When l awoke l naturally glanced
down the car and saw standing within four
feet OF me man with pistol in his hand. l
was lying with my head toward the front end of
the car. and the man was standing near my
feet. did not say word. In fact, did not
have time to speak before he covered me with
his revolver and fired. The bullet went over my
head and could feel fire burning over my face
The man then fired out of the doorway at the
conductor. Fortunately was completely self
possessed, and when he fired realized that a
train robbery was going on. With the hope of
making the robber believe he had killed me,
unclasped my hands. which were folded on my
bosom, and allowed them to fall at my side.
My right hand fell on the muZzle ofmy revolver;
and realizing that it would never do to allow
the robber to see that l was about to defend
myself. worked my hand slowly into position,
until had hold Of the pistol with my hand on
the trigger.
''The robber did not notice this manouvre. be-
cause 1t was dark in that part of the Car where
I lay. In the meantime the man was working
his way toward the rear of the car, evidently
supposing he had finished me. and Intended to
kill the baggageman or any one else who got in
his way. AS soon as I got hold Of my pistol
sprang into sitting posture and fired at the
the man, he raised his revolver as If to shoot
again. but it went off prematurely, the ball
striking the roof of the car. When shot at
him, part of his body was behind the stove. I
aimed at his abdomen, and believe my ball took
effect.
"About this time I saw another man, who
proved to be pal of the first, trying to climb
in at side door. No sooner had l fired, how
ever, than he disappeared, and the man 1 shot
at jumped out on the platform from the rear
side door. That was the last I saw of the rob-
bers. I calculated that they would come up to
the front side door, and, selling some freight.
1barricaded the door so as to protect myself
and the property which had been entrusted to
my care.
LESS than half minute after the robbers left
my Car l heard some shots at engine. Three
shots were fired IN half as many minutes. /
stood at the front side-door of my car, revolver
in hand. Just then Conductor Greedy came up
Have they gomez asked. Yes, think So re-
piled he, but believe our engineer and fireman
and coming back to me said: They are both
killed. Engineer is shot through the heart and
the fireman through the neck then Jumped
out on platform and saw the engineer and the
fireman lying on the platform alongside Of the
engine. The fireman was still conscious and
was taken into the hotel. where talked with
him few minutes The body OF the dead en-
gineer was put on board the train and taken to
Dodge City.
AFTER considerable delay we got q new engi-
neer and fireman at Coolidge and started on our
journey. one hour and forty minutes late At
Cimmaron, twenty miles distant, we met q spe-
cial train from Dodge City conveying to Cool
1dge sherif's posse to pursue the robbers