Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-05-09
THE TRAIN ROBBERS.

AN EXPRESS MESSENGERS ADVENTURE.
Ialways knew I served the company
in dangerous capacity, but l had been
an express messenger for so many years
that l thought little or nothing of the
risks l ran. NV route was through a
rough region, too, after was changed
from the Central Pacific to the Southern
Pacific road; region but half-settled
and civilized, where Indians and ruffians
were as plentiful as Cinnamon in Frisco.
My 'run" was long one, through
new country, where railroad stations
were often one hundred miles apart; and
the loveliness of the scenery, combined
with solitary confinement in an express
car, which locked more like cell than
anything else, made four days of every
week hang heavy on my hands, though
was often kept busy for hours at time.
l generally had mixed assortment of
express matter, with plenty of gold and
silver in bricks and specie; and occa-
sionally, not much to my liking, coffin
or two going eastward, each inclosing a
dead body. would not mention this,
but it is necessary, as Will be seen
further on.
I left Los Angeles every Monday
morning at $50, and from that time un-
til the following Thursday l did not
leave my express car, having to go to
Eel Paso and return for my weeks work,
distance of nearly fifteen hundred
uiles
This may seem long ''run," and so
~ ht1E Nn c+o+,Nno
across the southern part of Arizona and
New Mexico, | had opportunities to take
my much needed rest, which l did after
l became accustomed to the situation.
l was always glad to get back to Los
Angeles, however, for travelling ninety
six hours without any change is extremely
tedious, even in drawing room car.
Imagine the contrast between riding
that way and riding in heavily y-loaded
express car, with two small barred win.
dows to look out Of and hard bunk in
one corner to sleep on, and you may form
some idea of the monotony of my trip.
The miles passed slowly after l had
assorted and billed the expressage; my
pipe was kept burning and the constant
roar and rumble of the train sounded
during the day, and lulled me to sleeI
at night, when the windows were securely
fastened, the lamps lighted, and severa
rifles and revolvers hung around in cast
Of an emergency.
ran as express messenger severa
years without being in railroad acci
dent, or having the train stopped by
robbers. Some of my brother messenger
met with adventures on nearl,
every trip, but for a long time
was unmolested, until I began to dis
regard the danger altogether. During
that time | became accustomed t.
every phase of my situation, and al
though my lonely life gave me vcr
silent and taciturn habit, l enjoyed m
two days at Los Angeles OIL. at SAINT
Monica, sea-bathing, as much as my NOR
fortunate friends, who ran north over tn
Tchochapi pass, and were at home ever
uight, enjoyed their rests.
Train robberies had lately been fire.
quent, and while did not expect to b
attacked, | learned to be on the lookout
had set of signals with the bell rop
to let the trainmen know when ! was
danger. Robberies were often mad
while the trains were in motion, and tn
express messengers were either boun
hand and foot, or killed, the robbel
being desperate men who hesitated /
nothing.
Occasionally, however did relax m
vigilance, and slept as soundly as at th
hotel where I boarded. Finally my tur
came.
The train arrived at Tucson one nigl
nearly an hour late. There was grei
deal of express matter to exchange, an
for fifteen minutes was kept busy loat
ing and unloading bundles and boxe
The passengers walked up and down Il
platform to stretch their legs; the q
gine's safety-valve hummed with esca
ing steam, and the long train of car
reaching The fgsl length Qf tAe platforF