Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1884-04-03

second only to train robbery, oc-
curing as 1t did, at the dead OF
night, and while the train was rattiing
along at the rate Of about thirty
miles an hour. The affair was very
sudden and Of course unexpected.
The train left Kansas City early last
evening, and among the passengers
who boarded it at one Of the way sta
tions was 4 man named Powell, who is
said to be q merchant in business at
Gillian, Mo. Whether Powell had
been drinking or net does not clearly
appear, but those who saw hum dis
covered no evidences of intoxieation
upon him. Conductor Dinsmore
came through the train from the for
ward part, collecting tickets, and
when he reached the place where
Powell sat
STOPPED FOR HIS PARE.
Powell announced that he wanted to
get of at Gillian.
"This t-ain does not stop at Gill;
am," said the conductor. ''You will
have to ride to Glass. s.ow, as that's our
nearest stopping place.
'But I don't want to 20 to Gias-
gow," responded Powell, gro. wing
very indignant.
81 can't help that. l have to
obey orders. This train never stops
at Gillian"
Swell. want return check from
Glasgow to Gillian them"
II can't give it to you. l have no
authority to do so."
Mr.. Powell now lost his temper
completely, and some hot words
passed, the conductor suggesting
that, as he lived on the line of the
road, he must of known before get
ting on the train, that it would not
stop at Gillian. The feeling was in
tensified by Dinsmore requiring the
passenger to pay full fare to Glas-
gov, which would be the getting-off
place, this being also required by the
rules Of the road. When the matter
was finally settled Dinsmore moved
on back through the train, collecting
fares. After he had gone few
yards, and was near the rear door,
Powell got up, and putting one hand
in his pocket, followed. He did not
move rapidly for fear, evidently, of
attracting attention and being thwart-
ed in bis purpose. He overlook the
conductor near the rear of the second
car from the last. just as Dinsmore
had opened the door and was stepp-
ing out upon the dark platform, Pow
ell stepped close up behind him, and
throwing his left arm around his
(Dinsmore's) head, he pulled It back
so as to expose his throat. At the
same instant he drew from his pocket
with his right hand large pocket
knife, the blade Of which was opened.
Reaching around in front of Dins-
more, he made desperate attempt to
cut his throat. The conductor, thus
seized unexpectedly from behind.
with strong arm garrotting him, was
at great disadvantage. The train
was running at g high rate of speed,
making foothold somewhat precari-
GUS, and the roar and the darkness
prevented him at first from Judging
Of the character Of the assault. His
disadvantage was increased hy the
fact that one of his hands is manned,
and he has but partial use of it.
Still, he was game, aud intuitively
throwing up his good arm, he man.
aged to strike
THE HAND CONTAINING THE KNIFE
just as il was reached for his throat.
The effect was to change the iirec.
tion Of Powell's thrust, and the knife
sank into Dinsmore's cheek just be.
low the eye. A hard pull at il made
it tear its way in a sen,i-circle course
through the flesh, barlpg the check
bone for several inches. Dinsmore
clutcbed at the knife, but missed it,
and Powell, still garrotting him and
remaining behind him, made another
iah at his face. cutting the othel
cheek in exactly the same hammer
Before he could strike again, Dins.
more, who is q muscular man. tore
himself free. and turning, made /:
plucky fight. Almost as quick a,
thought he struck Powell Two tire
mendons blows in the face with hi,
good hand, knocking him back sev
erai feet into the open door. Th'
passengers by this time were aware
OF the desperate struggle going on a
ehe platform. and two rushed for
ward TO stop it. a Mr.. Johnson o
Marshall, Missouri, grabbed Powell
and prevented him from renewing ill
. attack, as he was disposed to do an,
Mr.. Williams, who could simply sc