The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-22
BLACK BANDITS.
They Had Things Their Own Way
on the Illinois Central,
And Also on the Cairo Short Liue---
Exciting Pursuit of the Desper-
ADDE'S, Ending in
Fight.

ST LOUIS, March % About / o'clock p
IN. 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, His, 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 numerous looking negro pulled out a 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 mon 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 a
freight train on the Cairo short line. Con-
ductor Allen discovered the negroes robbing
the freight-c cars, and ordered them off two
miles west of Belleville. They refused to go,
and Allen and brakeman named Driscoll
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 a watch from
the brakeman. As they were leaving Allen
said something that enraged Lewis, and he
struck the unfortunate conductor across the
| face with a pistol, inflicting a cash three
inches long.
The train arrived in East St Louis in a
short time, when the alarm was given and a
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 tie road in
quest of their game just west of Centerville
they met an old man and woman who had
been robbed by tire the and said that the
gang were only short distance away. A
mile this side Of CentaigiIle the three robbers
were discovered walking along the track to-
| ward East ST. Louis. The engine was re-
versed, AMI the posse, securing good posi-
! tions, waited until the men came within
range Anderson saw the officers and opened
| fire Before he could shoot a second time nine
| revolvers and shot-gups were fired at him.
| He fell, but jumped up and started TO run,
! Councilman Green started in pursuit and
the negro fred again, the bullet striking
Green in the left leg. Conductor Alien fol-
lowed the pursuit and overhaulirg
| Anderson, knocked him down with
a piece of stone, probably fractur-
ing his skull Lewis made a desperate
fight, He ran a mile, loading and firing as
he ran. Officer Duffy and Stanton finally
ran him down. Lewis had been shot in the
head, but not dangerously, and Anderson
had likewise received a charge of small shot
in the head. The train men wanted to
lynch the prisoners, and it was all the officers
could do to prevent it. The men were hand
cuffed and taken to East St. NOUS