New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-01
TIE ATTEMPTED TRAIN ROBBERY.

| FORTUNATE PRESENCE OF MIND-HIs PISTOL
READY TO HIS HAND-QUIcK FLIGHT OF THE
MURDERER.
| KANSAS CITY, Sept 3O.-Patterson, the express
| messenger on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
train which highwaymen attempted to rob. tells
| the following story: "You are aware that the
| raid took place at Coolidge, station about ten
miles east of the Colorado State line, between 2
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 Engineer John Hilton, Fireman Paddle and
Baggageman Johnson. When the train stopped L
put off some railroad mail which 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 next to
the depot. After lying down few minutes
dropped off into dozs.
81 was lying on my back with my arms folded over
my bosom Both doors the side of the car next TO
the platform were open. Baggageman johnson
being seated back of the side door, looking out on
the platform. My revolver, q Colts 41-calibre
double action. lay at my side. 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 ea5 Sly lay hands upon IT.
1t was about time for the train to start when /
heard the Words "Comc out of there, you d"
This woke me up and afterward learned that the
remark was made by Conductor Greely to man
whom he noticed getting into the car When /
woke / naturally glanced down the car and
saw standing within four feet of me a
man with a pistol in his hand. was
lying with my head toward the front end
of the car and the man standing near my feet
| did not say a word In fact, did not have time
l., al nit hio olyyar
and fred, The bullet went over my head
and could feel fire burning over my face! The
man then fred out of the doorway at the conduc-
tor. Fortunately was completely self possessed,
and when he fred / realZe& that a train robbery
was going on. With the hope Of making the robber
believe he had killed me, Iunclasped my hands,
which wsre folded on my bosom, and allowed them
to fall at my side My right hand fell on the muzzIe
of my revolver; and realizing that it would neverdO
to allow the robber to that Twas about to defend
myslf, worked my hand slowly into position, until
had hold Of tho pistol with my hand On the trig-
ger.
The robber did not notice this manGuyre, because
il was dark in that part of the car where lay. In
the meantime the was working his way to-
ward the rear of the car evidently supposing he had
finished HE, and intended to kill the baggageman
or any one else who got in his way. As
soon as got hold of my pistol l spraug into
sitting posture and fired at the robber.
Jumped up then and walked toward
the man. he raised his revolver if to shoot again.
but it went off prematuTey, the ball striking the
roof of the car When shot at him.. part of his
body was behind the stove l aimed at his abdO-
men, and believe my ball took effect.
About this time | saw another Tan, who proved
to be a pal Of the first, trying to climb in at side
door, No sooner had fired, however than he dis
appeared and the man I shot at jumped out on the
platform from the rear side door. That was tho
last saw OF the robbers 1 calculated that they
would come up to the front side door, and, seizing
some freight barricaded the door so as to protect
myself ard the property which had been lntrusted
to my care"
Less than half minute after the robbers left
my car 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 MP. Have tho
gomez asked Yes, ! think sO.' replied lie. 'but
believe our engineer and fireman are hurt Then
Greel went forward to them, and coming back to
me SAID: They arc 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 living the platform alongside of
the engine The fireman was still conscious and was
taken into the hotel where talked with HIM a few
minutes. The body of the dead engineer was put on
board the train and taken to Dodge City.
after considerable delay we got q new engineer
and fireman at Coolidge aud started on our journey,
one hour and forty minutes la G. At CmmarOn,
Dodge City conveying to Coolidge SherHs posse
TO pursue the robbers"