Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-06
TRAIN ROBBERS ROUTED.
How the EApressman Saved His
Property from Highwaymen.

KANSAS Cry, Mo. September 3d.
The express messenger on the Atchi
son, Topeka and Santa Fe train which
highwaymen attempted to rob. tells
the following story. The raid took
place at Coolidge Station. about ten
miles east Of the Colorado State line.
between two and three 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 passengers an opportunity
to get lunch. The train was No. 4.
bound east, Conductor Greedy, Enei
neer John Hilton. Fireman Paddle
and Baggageman johnson. When the
train stopped | put off some railroad
mail which | had, and there being no
express to put off aud no further work
for me to do | laid down on my box
just in front Of the side door Of the
car next to the depot. After lying
down few minutes | dropped off into
a doze. | was lying on my back with
my arms folded over my bosom. Both
doors on the side Of the car next 10
the platform we're open. Ny revolver
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 ATTACK.
1t was about time for the train Il
start when heard the words, Come
out Of there, you id This woke
me up. | naturally glanced down the
car and saw standing in four feet OIL
me man with pistol in his hand
was lying with my head toward the
front end OF the car, and the mar
was standing near my feet. | did mol
say word; in fact did not have timt
to speak before he covered me with
bis revolver and fred The bulle
went over my head and | could fee
fire burning over my face. The maj
then fred shot out of the doorway
at the conductor. Fortunately | wa
completely self possessed, and wher
he fired | realized that a train rob
berry was going on. With the hope o
making the rObber believe he hat
killed me | unelasped my hands, which
were folded on my bosom and allowel
them to tall at my side. Ny RICH
hand fell on the muZzle Of my revol
yer, and realizing il would never do d
allow the rObber to see that | wa
: about to defend myself, l worked m
+. hand slowly into position until ha
hold Of the pistol with my hand O.
the trigger. The robber did not nc
: tiee this maneuver, because it wa
! quite dark in the car where | LAY
Meantime the man was working hi
way toward the rear OF the car, evi
! IDENTIFY supposing he had finished m,
and Intended to kill the baggage ma
, or any one else who got in his way
. FIRING AT THE RoBBER.
y "As soon as got hold Of my pist,
e | sprang into sitting posture an
d fired at the robber l Jumped u
}, then and walked toward the man. II
Q raised his revolver as if to shoot agar
0 but il went off prematurely, the ba
d striking the roof of the ca
|. l believe my ball too
y effect. About this time
i, saw another man who proved to b
|, a pal" Of the first trying to climb /
b at the side door. No sooner had
y fired, however, than he disappeared
/ and the man shot at jumped out 0
n the platform, That was the last | So
). OF the robbers. | calculated the
i would come up to the front side doc
It and seizing some freight / barricade
Q the door, SO as to protect myself an
IS the property which had been entruste
to my care.