The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-28
A BOX FOR CHICAGO.
WHICH WILL PROBABLY NOT get
THERE" IMMEDIATELY.
A Heavily Armed Man Boxed and Shipped
by Rail, with Evil Thoughts In
tent 'On the Express Com
pany-His Capture.

ST. PAUL, MINI, July 2s.-When train
No. 2, which left St Paul Saturday at 40,
William l. Mead, conductor, arrived at
Black River Falls, Wis, Conductor Mead
was told that there was box for Chicago on
the Platform. This heavy and lengthy
package, labeled Sidney L. Burnard,
Chicago, Ills.," was quickly taken
from the spot on the plat
form of the depot, where it had lain for
hours in the boiling sun, and ensconced in
the express car with the other truck, two
messengers and the usual iron safe for
money and other valuables. Mead had
yelled "All aboard, and waived "all right
TO the expectant engineer, when some one
whom he does not remember, remarked:
MEAD, that's a mighty spicious-looking
box; l believe there's man in
it" Mead took up his Black
River tickets, and then went into the
express car to examine the oblong affair,
which, in order to expedite its landing, he
had lifted on most Justify himself. He did
not see anything peculiar about it, but
directed that the object Of interest be moved
to a convenient corner and lot Of blue
berries piled on top Of it This was
done, and in the eagerness Of the mo-
ment about five tons of the stuff was
built upon and around the suspect. There
must have been something to give
rise to suspicion among the employees
at Black River Falls, for the agent here, as
soon as he had shipped the boz, telegraphed
Mr. Ball, express agent at Elroy, to look
out for the counterfeit presentment of a
coffin This Mr. Ball did The blueberries
! i -,
to the Elroy platform. On this Mr. Ball
said in loud tones, is there man in
thereT No response. IF there's any
one inside he'd better speak; Tn
going to fire through the box
in about cne minute. I'm in here; don't
| fire." This in smothered tones but evidently
| from inside, and no ventriloquist tricks
| "Are you armed.' yes; got a revolver. u
! pass it out here, butt-end first" The side
| of the box slowly lowered couple Of inche:
| or more, and wicked-looking 42-calibel
! bulldog was handel forth. THEN the side
came clear down lit had been held in plac,
| by buttons inside. and a gentlemen with
| light mustache, blue eyes, and good feature
| sprany forta, clad in shirt, drawers, an(
| stockings He was athletic and non
chanlant and. despite the awkwardness o
the situation, as free from embarrassment
as groom OF the chambers An examina
ton of the box disclosed that it was care
fully padded inside, had a row Of breathing
holes along the edge, and hidden by tn
projection of what proved to be the hinge
side, and was provided with a couple 0
pillows for the use Ct the reeumbent occu
pant. The prisoner gave bis name as Charlie
|. Lawrence, but would give no further an
swer The prisoner was safely placed
durance.
Farther examination revealed full SUI
Of outer garments, including hat and shoes
bottle Of culorGtorm, a billy ana q THU
strong rope seventeen teat long, while in III
pocket # thu coat a small vial Of prUsSl
acid qaetly repo-el. From Elroy to Oh
cage thers Is but one mes enger, and
could easily have besn overpowsrad wit
the adjQacts at Lawrence command,
has now tran pred that bcx similar to tt
one described was recently found at a ST
ten on TIE Omaha roal This is the secon
box trick uasucce-siuliy attempted to
worked on thai road.