Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-01
A SOLITARY TRAINROBBER.
tie shsots the Express. sfsssesgsr and Bar.
sase Man. Rsbs the safe and Escspes.


IBy telegraph TO the Dispstch.l
CHICAGO, April 30.--Thc Louisville
express on the Louisville, New Albany
and Chicago railroad. due here at 3
O'Clock this morning, was stopped near
Harrodsburg, Ind, shortly before mid
night by band Of masked robbers.
The latter were on horseback, and COM
PEELED the engineer and fireman to leave
their engine. Entering the express car,
the American Express messenger was
covered with revolyers, and, refusing
to unlock the safe, was shot dead. The
safe was broken open, but was found
to contain only 400. The scene of the
robbery is among hills and stone-quar-
ries, and is thinly settled.
CHICAGO, April 30.-The Louisville
express arrived about three hours late
and the passengers and train-men give
an entirely different account Of the rob-
berry near Harrodsburg from the one
first telegraphed. II appears that there
was no organized band Of high
waymen. Shortly before the train
reached Bloomington a man hav-
ing the appearance Of . tramp
entered the express-car from the smok-
ing-car armed with a heavy hickory
stick. In the express-car were George
X. Davis, express messenger, and Peter
Webber, the baggage-man. He struck
Webber on the head, telling him. Davis
then ran for his revolver, but before he
could reach it the man hit him also, and
then taking away the revolver shot
him in the head. LIE then made the
baggage-man open the safe and take
out the money. The tramp then
pulled the bell-cord and stopped
the train, but first fred at Web
Der, the bullet striking him in the
forehead. Webber succeeded in reach
ing the smoker, and gave an alarm, but
the solitary train-robber had disap-
peared in the darkness. An alarm was
not given until the train had reached
Bloomington, when search was begun.
The amount stolen is not known, bat
exceeds $1,000. Davis and Webber
are both alive, but the former cannot
recover.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE ROB-
Berry.
INDIANAPOLIs, ND, April 3d.
The following is another account of the
train-robbery near Harrodsburg, Ky. :
The express matter is usually carried
in the baggage-car occupied by the mes
senger and baggage 1t was, as
usual, the first car on the train. The
messengers name was George n. Davis,
of Louisville. Last night at ll:l6
O'Clock the train stopped four or five
minutes for water at Harrodsburg,
Monroe county. j. ii. Hamilton, a
passenger, happened to be look
ing out a window, and by the
reflection of the light from the
engine saw a man emerge apparently
from under the trucks and disappear in
the direction of the engine. He carried
club or stick. When Smithyille Hill
station, about two miles north Of Har'
rodsburg, ives reached, sharp ring o
the bell-rope in the engine stopped the
train, and before an inquiry as to who
pulled the bell could be made thC
baggage-master flung open the door o
the smoking-car and reeled in covered
with blood. lie gasped out to the hor
rified passengers that robber had en-
tered the baggage-car and shot hin
and the express messenger, and the,
fell unconscious. Conductor Chamber
lin entered the baggage-car and founC
Davis stretched in a pool Of blood b,
the side of his safe, which had beer
broken open and plundered. Every
where was evidence Of o terrific strug
gle. The floor was Uttered with pape
that the assassin had taken from th'
safe, and heavy boxes stored in the ca
were scattered around in confusion
Davis, who was breathing, was carried
into the smoker. He had been shot II
the upper part Of the head. Webber
the baggage-master. afterwards saiC
that both doors of the car were open a
Harrodsburg, and he and Davis were
asleep. Just after the train got il
motion Webber was awakened by {
violent blow on the head. Staggering t
his feet, he saw tall, muscular MAJ
struggling with Davis. The messenger
was bespattered with blood, which wa
gushing from a wound in the head, h'
also having evidently been struck will
a club while asleep. Weber fell to thu
floor. Davis managed to loosen his righ
hand and draw his, revolver, but befor'
he could fire the robber wrenched thu
weapon from his grasp and fired. Th'
ball struck the messenger in the hea'
and he fell, dying. When the safe haC
been rihed the robber left the train as /
slowed up in answer to the bell. Davi
lived at Louisville; was twenty-five
years old, and unmarried. Webbe
lives at New Albany, Ind. Is twenty
eight years old, married, and has seye
raj children.