The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-02-28
A TEXAS TRAGEDY.

Desperate Fight With Convicted Mall Rob
bers in a Railway Car, Resulting IN Fiv,
Deaths and Some Serious Wounding.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, February 22.-
This city is in fearful commotion overa
terrible tragedy enacted on the Interna-
tional train last evening about dusk
within four miles of New Braunfels.
United States Marshal Hal Costing with
two deputies-Will Looring and John
Manning-were bringing to this city two
prisoners named Pitts and Yeager, con.
victed of robblng Smithwick Post-office
in Burnett County and having life penal.
ties. Marshal Gosling had kindly con.
scented to let the wife of Pitts and the sis.
ter of Yeager sit beside them on the
train. Pitts mother-in-law was seated
near them with another woman, while
Benham, brother-in-law of Pitts, and
four other men, were Immediately In
front of them.
Indications are that the whole terrible
affair was planned before the officers and
their prisoners started on the trip, and
the manner in which the bloody work was
done shows the desperate character OF
the prisoners and their friends and rela-
tives. Care was taken by the officers
that the men of the party carried no
arms, but the women folks managed to
conceal revolvers about their persons,
and despite the vigilance of the Marshal
and his deputies, these weapons were
slipped into the possession of
the prisoners, Pitts and Ycagcr. Just
x.,Lo al inc hnN ie
and probably never will be, known. Once
in possession of the weapons, they lost
no time in using them. The train was
going at the ordinary rate Of speed and
the paSsengers-the car was full-wert
settled in their seats, expecting nothin:
of an extraordinary character, when
pistol shot startled them-or rather
volley, for both Pitts and Yeager opened
| fire at once.
Marshal Costing was killed instantly,
and Deputy John Manning also dropped.
Though it subsequently developed that he
had received mortal wound, he raised
himself on his elbow and put his revolver
! into service. A scene of the widest com.
motion Immediately ensued. The two
prisoners and their party jumped to their
feet and started for the door. Deputy
Will Looring, who was unhurt.
drew his pistol, as did half
the inmates of the coach, and
opened a regular fusilade on the
retreating desperadoes, but whether any
of the bullets took effect or not is not
known. The prisoners, revolver in hand,
made their way 10 the door, and man.
acled together as they were, jumped from
the train, which was the last
seen of them. Manning and Gosling's
body were brought here. Physi
clans say Manning is fatally wounded.
Looring is out with a posse from New
Braunfels after Pitts and Yaeger, who will
probably be lYnched if taken alive.
DALLAS, TEX, February 2S.-The
dead body of James Pitts was found
within 100 yards of where he es
capped from the train. 1t is supposed
that the passenger who fired at Pitts and
Yeager, as they jumped off hit Pitts and
killed him. Yeager got loose from the
dead body and escaped to the mountains,
although he was wounded in the neck.
Deputy Marshal Looring, who was I'M
injured in the tight on the train, overlook
aud captured Yeager, but the posse shot
him three times, killing him. Yeager
made a desperate fight.
Pitts mother died this morning. Miss
Yeagcr, sister of the desperate, who was
wounded yesterday, it is thought will re-
cover. The killed thus far are: Marshal
Gosling, Deputy Marshal Manning, Pitts,
Yeager and Mrs. Pitts.