The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-05-07
A DARING DEED.
a Single Train Robber Gets Away
with $4,000 on the New
Albany Road.
mo Enters the Car and Clubs and Shoots
the Messenger and Bag
gageman.


gageman.
Bloomington Ind, and the surrounding
country were last week thrown into a wild
state OF excitement over what is probably
the most daring robbery ever committed in
the State by any one person. the facts OF
which constitute a story of crime almost
unequaled on the frontier of the far West,
and revive memories Of the dar-
ing deeds of tho James boys and
their fellow bandits. Shortly after mid
night, near what is known as Smithville
Hill. express train No. 3 on the Monon
Route. which left Louisville at p. m. for
Chicago, was robbed by one man. and two
men were shot so badly that neither will
recover. The train was running slower
than usual and just entering small rock
cut. when the bell in the engine was sound
ed and the engineer stopped his train. Con-
ductor Chambers. in charge, was in the
ladies coach and passed through the smoker
into the baggage ear. There fearful
scene met his eyes. Two men, the bag
gagemaster and express messenger, lay on
the floor covered with blood. The safe of
the American Express Company was open
and everything was in confusion. The
situation needed no explanation. A robbery
had been committed and the men, faithful
at their posts, had been shot down like dogs.
The train was at once run to Blooming
ton, where an alarm was given and the
wounded men cared for. George Davis,
the express messenger, was unconscious,
and speaking most pitifully the unconnect-
ed thoughts that rushed through his shat
tered brain. Peter Weber, the baggage
master. though b,dly injured. was at all
times rational Both were taken to the
Orchard House, a short distance from the
depot, where beds were prepared and ply
sicians summoned. An examination proved
that Davis had been shot through the head,
and that two other ugly wounds had
been inflicted by blunt instrument-one
on the forehead and another on the left
side of the head. The ball from revolver
had entered an inch and a half above the
ear and in 'front.' going through the head.
From the wound clots of brain were slowly
oozing, while blood was flowing from the
other injuries. Webber's wounds were less
SERIOUS. A bullet entered high up on the
neck, just below the ear, and, ranging down,
lodged on the other side. Though the in
fury is serious, it is thought he will recov-
err wound on the head is not very seri-
Gus. though it bled profusely.
Webber's story of the robbery, from
which he barely escaped alive, is substan-
TALLY as follows:
"lShe No night express, bound for
Chicago started from Louisville on time,
and when about eighty miles out or just
before we came to Harrodsburg, there being
nothing to do only at Bloomington until
We got to Greencastle, Davis and fixed up
u little couch with coats and wraps upon
which to lie down and rest In doing so
We placed our heads toward the south. In
short time somebody entered the south
door from the smoking-car, and /, think
Ing it was the conductor, rs he often passed
through the car. raised my head TO see,
when man rushed up and struck me a
terrible blow oyer the head with heavy
stick he carried in his hand. / fell to the
floor unconscious from the shock, and
from after indications suppose that
Davis and the robber engaged in scuffle,
as Davis has three cuts on the head, but
the villain succeeded in shooting him in
the head and he fell to the floor By this
time had recovered myself sufficiently to
get up, and was doing so when the man
pointed revolver at me. and commanded
me not TO say word or should share
Davis fate. Then he said he would shoot
me unless gave him the key. / told him
/ did not have It, when he said to get it or
ne would kill me instantly. Davis had the
key in his pocket. and l turned him over
and took it from his pants. Then
Che thief commanded me to unlock
the safe. threatening to shoot me
oil the time. When had done so he took
the key, put it in his pocket, and COM
manded me to stand still, and, with the re-
volver pointing at me, with his left hand
took the money packages from the safe.
As he took the last one out he said he was
10 FOR Il oil
begged him in the name of God to spare
me, when with an oath the murderer
pulled the trigger and / fell to the
floor. / soon got on my feet again,
when / pulled the bell-rope. The
robber faced me, looking as pale as
death He did not say q word. As the
train stopped he went out of the door, shut
It behind him, and stepped off to the west.
He was tall and slender, with a light mus
tachezthat 1 think artificial. He seemed
shout 80 years old. would recognize him
ct once
This is substantially the story of the only
man who witnessed the robbery, Davis hav-
ing been shot and being unconscious ut the
time. What may have occurred between
Davis and the robber while Weber lay ON
the floor from the shock of the first blow
IF course no one knows.
conductor CHAMBERS, or the rODDe
train, says that the first iHtimation of the
affair he had was when Weber, oil bloody
and bleeding came stumbling into the
smoking car. When the train stopped he
rushed forward to learn the cause and
there met Weber He could give nc
connected account of the tragedy, and
the conductor went forward into the
baggage car, where Davis lay groan-
ing and gasping. In the corner was the
open safe. and by its side the club OF
the robber,. Davis pistol he had taken
with him in his fight Webber told various
stories of the affair, IN one of which he
claimed that he had shot the robber. bu
this did not appoar to be the true version
of the story. The place where the robbery
occurred was in tie midst of the woods
and it then being mi might all thought OF
seeking for the bandit was abandoned, ani
the train drew on to Bloomington, wher,
Davis was left IL a dying condition.
The officials of the road fell very badl,
over the murder Of Davis. as he was one o.
the most popular and efficient messenger
in their employ. He has been wounded
several times during his services. In thu
accident near Salem, Ind, about two year
ago, when train went through the bridge
Davis saved all tho valuables by throwing