Morris tribune., 1884-03-26
: Black BANDITS.
Exciting Pursuit OF the DesperadOes,
Ending in Fight.

ST.. LOUIS, March 21.-About l o'clock p.
m a pitched battle occurred at Centerville,
Ills, between posse from East st. Louis
and three colored desperadoes. Although
fully twenty-five shots were fired no one was
fatally injured Last Tuesday the three
negroes, Frank Lewis, George Freeman and
Alexander Anderson left Cairo, Ills, via
the Illinois Central railroad They were
discovered by the conductor, who sum-
moned brakeman to eject them. When the
brakeman arrived on the scene, Anderson,
a murderous looking negro, pulled out re-
volver and covered the conductor while
Lewis put the muzzle of another under the
brakeman's ear. The third robber, Free
man, then bound the two men and robbed
them of three watches and what money was
in their possession. The trio then beat them
over the head with the revolvers, and, leav-
ing them, forced an entrance into some OF
the adjoining cars, from which they stole
fruit and tobacco. They then jumped off,
and it was some time afterward before the
other brakeman found the position in which
his conductor and companion were.
At Duquain, Ills, the robbers abandoned
the Illinois Central, and there robbed q
freight train on the Cairo short line. Con-
ductor Allen discovered the negroes robbing
the freight-cars, and ordered them off two
miles west of Belleville. They refused to go,
and Allen and q brakeman named Drlscoll
stepped forward to put them off. The negroes,
quick as fash drew their revolverS and
ordered both the ira inmen to throw up
their hands The third robber again came
in handy, and began going through the
victims A revolver and some silver was
taken from the conductor, and watch from
the brakeman AS they were leaving Allen
said something that enraged Lewis, and he
struck the unfortunate conductor across the
face with pistol, inficting a cash three
inches long.
The train arrived in East st. Louis in
short time, when the alarm was given and
posse was organised to hunt down the robbers.
Lieut.. Duffy, of the police force, was at the
head assisted by Councilman Green, three Of
ficers and five employees of the Cairo short
line. An engine was secured, and the party,
heavily armed, started down the road in
quest of their game. Just west of Centerville
they met an old man and woman who had
been robbed by the trio, and said that the
gang were only short distance away.
mile this side of Centerville the three robbers
were discovered walking along the track to-
ward East st. Louis. The engine was re-
versed, and the posse, securing good posi-
tions, waited until the men camo within
range. Anderson saw the officers and opened
fire. Before he could shoot second time nine
revolYers and shot-guDs were fired at him.
He fell, but jumped up and started to run.
Councilman Green started in pursuit, and
the negro fired again, the bullet striking
Green in the left leg. Conductor Allen fol-
lowed the pursuit and overhauling
Anderson, knocked him down with
q piece of stone, probably fractur-
ing his skull. Lewis made desperate
fight. He ran a mile loading and firing as
he ran. Officer Duffy and Stanton finally
ran him down. Lewis had been shot i'll the
head, but not dangerously, and Anderson
had likewise received a charge of small shot
in the head. The train men wanted tC
lynch the prisoners, and it was all the officers
could do to prevent it. The men were hand
cuffed and taken to East ST. Mouis.