The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1884-05-28
THE TRAIN ROBBERS.

racine rOaQ u TcSlOu Dut -oSltiSo
and civilized, where Indians and rutfians
were as plentiful as Cinnamon in Frisco.
Nv run was a long one, through a
new country. where railroad stations
were often one hundred miles apart; and
the lovelincss Of the scenery. combined
with solitary confinement in IN express
car, which looked more like a cell than
ANYTHING else, made four days of every
week hang heavy on my hands, though
was often kept busy for hours at a time:
l generally had a mixed assortment Of
express matter, with plenty Of gold and
silver'in bricks and specie; and occa-
sionally, not much to my liking, a coffin
or two going eastward, each inclosing a
dead body. l would not mention this,
but it is necessary. as VII be seen
further on.
l left Los Angeles every Monday
morning at $50, and from that time I'M
til the following Thursday l did not
leave my express car. having to 60 to
Ell Paso and return for my weeks work,
a distance of nearly fifteen hundred
miles!
This may seem a long 'run," and so
it was; but as the stations were few
across the southern part of Arizona and
New Mexico, | had opportunities to take
nv much needed rest, which l did after
/ became accustomed to the situation.
I was always glad to get back to Los
Angeles, however, for travelling ninety
six hours without any change is extremely
tedious, ever in q drawing-room car.
Imagine the contrast between riding
that way and riding in a heavily-loaded
express car, with two small barred win
dows to look out of, and a 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 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 sleep
at night, when the windows were securely
fastened, the lamps lighted. and several
rifles and revolvers hung around in case
OF an emergency.
l ran as express messenger several
years without being in. a railroad acct
dent, or having the train stopped by
robbers. Some OF my brother messengers
met with adventures on nearly
every trip, but for a long time I
was unmolested, until l began to dis
regard the danger altogether. During
that time | became accustomed to
every phase of my situation, and al
though my lonely life gave me a very
silent and taci,urn habit, l enjoyed my
two days at Los Angeles, or al Santa
Monica. sea-bathing, as much as my more
fortunate friends, who ran north over the
Tchochapi pass, and were at home every
night, enjoyed their rests.
Train robberies had lately been fire.
quent, and while did not expect to be
attacked, l learned to be on the lookout.
I had a set Of signals with the bell rope
to let the trainmen know when l was IN
danger. Robberics were often made
while the trains were in motion, and the
3 express messengers were either bound
hand and foot, or killed, the robbers
I being desperate men who hesitated ut
! nothing.
Occasionally, however, I did relax my
vigilance, and slept as sourdly as at the
hotel where l boarded. Finally my turn
came.
The train arrived at Tucson one night
nearly an hour late. There was a great
deal of express matter to exchange, and
for fifteen minutes I was kept busy load
ing and unloading bundles and boxes.
The passengers walked up and down the
platform to stretch their legs; the en-
gine's safety-yalve hummed with escap-
ing steam, and the long train of cars,
reaching the full length of the platform.
presented a picture of bustle and activity.
When the last bundle was piled away,
had a chance to talk a e minutes with
the eXpressman then the train started,
and l closed the door, locked it, and turned
to the boxes and packages that were
scattered around. The first thing that
attracted my attention was a long pine
box.
/ had not noticed it when it
was loaded, and thinking it
was a queer time for a funeral to
start East, l examined the address. 1t
was consigned to New Orleans. I en-
tered it on the book with the other eX-
press, and for an hour or more. while
sorting over the packages, took no no.
tice of my silent companion.
1t was a common thing 10 have n or
two funerals the whole length Of the trip
eastward. and l thought of this as |
thought of others: "Some poor fellow
who left a pleasant home to come here in
search of a fortune, only to die on the
alkali plains, without a friend"
And after l had showed the box against
the side of the car, l opened a bundle of
newspapers and selected one to read. 1t
was not very late, and fitting my chair
against the side of the car beneath q
lamp, l was o interested in the news
of the day.
How lor. I was in that position I do
not know, but unconsciously | fell into a
light sleep when l had finished reading
the paper. l awoke with a feeling of
dread and fascination in complete pos
session of me. l did not move: l could
not. Something held me almost breath
less, and several minutes passed before l
could open nv eyes. When l did, my
heart gave quick throb!
The top of the pine box was partly
IdlSeu. anu tiC lcdluIcS VI a iuoul sidNSt
from the dim light, were revealed to my
acute senses!
Even then, though greatly startled, I
did not make a motion, and my eyes
were all but closed. Peering from the
corner of one eye. l tried to make out
his features, but saw nothing beyond the
brutal eyes and half-savage mouth. In
an instant it flashed across me that he
was q train robber! 49,
He was evidently waiting to see If l
was fast asleep, and he did not move
during several minutes, keeping his eyes
fastened on me with the steadiness OF an
animal.
l scarcely breathed.
The rifles and revolvers were on the
opposite side of the car. If | attempted
to get them, he would shoot before
made two steps. With my blood ting
ling and my ears strained, I waited ex-
pectantly for him to move, resolving to
wait for q favorable opportunity to spring
on him.
sEE n.1l.ll H.. lo,oo ~ooro &c