Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-01
A TRAMP R0BS A TRAIN.
TWO employees IN THE EX.
PRESS CAR SHOT.

$1,000 Secured by the BandIt-He Then
Pulls the Bell Cord and Escapes as the
Cars are StOpping-One Of the Victims
MOrtally Wounded.
CHICAGO, April 30.-The Louisville ex-
press on the Louisville, New Albany and
Chicago railroad, due here at O'Clock this
morning, was stopped near Harrodsburg.
Ind, shortly before midnight by band Of
marked robbers. The latter were on horse
back, and compelled the engineer and fire
men to leave their engine. Entering tho
express car, the American express rucsa
senger was covered with revoiyers, and,
refusi to unlock the sGfe, was shot dcnd.
The safe was broken open, but was found
to contain but $400. The scene OF the
robbery is among the hills and store quar-
ries, and is thinly settled
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
CHICAGO, April 30, SIP. M.-The Louis
VILE express train arrived here about
three hours late, and the passengers and
trainmen give an entirely different ac-
count of the robbery near HarrOdsbur0
from the one first telegraphed. 1t appears
that there was no organized band of high
waymen. Shortly before the train reached
Bloomington, a man having the appear
ance of tramp entered the express car
from the smoking car armed with heavy
hickory stick. In the express car were
George X. Davis, the express messenger,
and Peter Webber, th g baggageman.
FEELING HIS MEN.
He struck WebbeT on the head, telling
him. Davis then ran for his revolver, but
before he could reach it the man hit nm
also, and then, taking away the revolver,
shot him in the head. He then made the
baggageman open the safe and take out
the money. The tramp then pulled the
bell-cord and stopped the train but. first
fired at Webber, the bullet striking him
in the forehead. Webber succeeded Ia
reaching the smoker and gave an alarm.
but the solitary train r0bber had
disappeared in the darkness. An alarm
was not given until the train had reached
Bloomington, when search was begun.
The amount stolen is not known, but ex-
ceeds $1,000. Davis and Webber arebothl
alive, but the former cannot recover.
BOTH STRUCK WHILE ASLEEP.
INDIANAPOLIS, april 30.--The follow,
Ing rs another account OF the train rob
berry near Harrodsburg: Express matter
is usually carried in the buggage car oc-
cupied by the messenger and baggage
master. 1t was, as usual, the first car on
the train. The messengers name was
George N, Davis, of Louisville. Last
night at 1l:l6 O'Clock the train stopped
four or five minutes for water
at Harrodsburg, Monroe county. y.
II. Hamilton, passen ger happened to be
looking out of the window, and by the
reflection Of the light from the engine
saw man emerge apparently from un-
der the trucks and disappear inthe direc-
tiOn of the engine. He carried club or
stick. When Smithville Hin, a station
about two miles north of Harrodsbufg,
was reached sharp ring Of the bell-rope
in the engine stopped the train, and be-
fore an inquiry as to who pulled the bell
could be made the baggage MASTER
flung open the door of the smoking
car and reeled in covered With
blood. He gasped out to the horror Of the
passengers that robber had entered the
baggage car and shot him and the express
messenger, and then fell unconscious.
Conductor Chamberlin entered the bag
gage car and found Davis stretched In a
pool of blood by the side OF his safe, whichi
had been broken open and plundered.
EVIDENCE OF A STRUGGLE.
Everywhere was evidence OF aterrifc
struggle. The floor was Uttered with
paper that the assassin had taken from
the safe, and heavy boxes stored in the
car were scattered around In confusion.
Davis, who was breathing, was carried
into the smoker. He had been shot in tho.
upper part OF the head Webber, the.
baggage master, afterwards said that both
doors Of the car were open at Harrods-
burg, and that he and Davis were asleep.
Just after the train got in motion Webber
was awakened by violent blow on
the head. Staggering 20 his feet
he saw tall, muscular man
struggling with Davis. The messenger
was despatched with blood, which was
gushing from a wound in his head, he also
having evidently been struck with the
club while asleep. Webber fell to the
floor. Davis managed TO loosen his right
hand and draw his revolver, but before he
could fire the robber wrenehed the weapon
from his grasp and fired. The ball struck
the messenger in the head and he fell dy-
ing. When the safe had been rifled the
rObber left the train as IL slowed up in
answer TO the bell. Davis lived at Louis
vile, was % years old and unmarried.
Webber lives. at New Albany, Ind, is %
years old, married and has several chill.
dren.