The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-30
SHREWD, COOL, NERVY,
DESCRIBES TIE MAN WHO HAD HIM
SELF BOXED AND SHIPPED,
In Order to Get at the Express Com
pany's wealth-Baffing Attempts to
Identify Him-A Former Ad-
senture-Reckless of Life.

MILWAUKEE. Wis, July 50. w S. Dal-
IibA the American Express company's d.
vision superintendent of Wisconsin lines,
has returned from Elroy, where he had been
to investigate the attempted robbery of an
express car by the man found concealed in
box. He describes the would-be robber as
one Of the most sire wd, cool and nervy men
be ever saw. The fellow is about p years old.
He is a very good talker, and shows himself
to have had an excellent education. He Is
Of fire form. supple, and quick as cat. An
excellent military training Is shown by bis
movements with a sword or a musket,
trained militiamen declaring every exercise
to he as near perfect as any they ever saw.
His GOODNESS is most remarkable. He talks
freely on any matter having no bearing on
his case, but deliberates on any question
concerning himself. and carefully frames
bis reply 1t has been impossible TO learn
from him the least thing regarding his right
name, antecedents, or place of residence
further than his statement that be is mar
-ei and has one child.
When q persistent effort was made to
draw from him statement regarding his
past, lie said: Gentlemen, it is useless for
you to waste your time in the endeavor to
| find ne cut in these matters. This affair Is
net so very bad as it now stands. You have
ne. but you do not know who am, where
! | came from, or anything regarding me
further than what you have learned Of my
| transactions during the last two days. Ny
| family are not of the kind who indulge in
| this kind Of business To let them know of
| tie affair would make il 0,000 times worse
than it is. As it would do you no good to
know my name guess I'd better keep that
| 70 myself for the time being
| His shirt bears the mark Nichols in
| India ink, while on his socks are the initials
! \. CT and on his handkerchief 1877. "
/ Officers of the express company are ex-
| tremely anxious to establish the identity Of
the young man, and express the wish that
any information likely TO lead 10 this will
| be communicated to them. He admits that
| it was he who made tie unsuccessful at
tempt 10 get himself inside the express car
at Camp Douglas two months age in the
same manner as that employed in Satur-
| days attempt IN conversation with Dali
| lila regarding his attempted robberies, he
said; 20, ! am taking good lessons My
| Camp Douglas attempt was a failure, as
also my last; but / am improving. You may
hear from me again some day. Ny only re-
yret is that did not succeed this time"
In bis Camp Douglas attemp: he conveyed
lis box into the woods not far distant from
DE station and hired farmer to convey il
20 the depot at certain time, telling bin
that i; was filed with specimen rocks and
moses The farmer came at the appointed
time, but growing suspicious at the weig ut
left the box and went for assistance. Wher
tie returned an empty box, similar to thai
seized at Elroy, was all that remained
When reminded of the great chance he wa!
taking he said: 20, thought well of that
figured that had one chance in ten o
being successful and coming out alive.
was willing to AMI did take that chance.
To Superintendent Daihba he coolly de
scrIbed MS intended plan. With his box :,
arranged that the top or either side woull
open. he figured that be would lie enable,
10 come from his place OF hiding wheneve
SO chose. He was to wait until the mesSen
ger was asleep, quietly come forth, and
pUssjbla prevent interference from the mes
seuger by chlorofOrmiDg him rather than I
kill him
But said be. "if it should have bee
necessary for NE 70 Kill in order to accom-
plish my purpo-e, wss ready fer it. Do
value human lifel PogA, not that muc
with a snap of the finger, Ii could Pre-
VIE for my family by giving my life
would give it in minute
The express officials are confident tha
they have captured o1s OF the most shrsw
and daring robbers in the country, and b
ieve that they are now on the track Of ev
ience which will show him TO have been ii
principal in a nGmber Of noted crimin'
act They Will try to have this evidenC
IN readiness for use when the young ma
, has served his present sentence of 81
months given him at EIoy for carryin
concealed weapons