St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-01
The Express Messenger and Baggage
Man Surprised While Asleep.
Both Men Coolly Shot, the Messen-
ger Dying Instantly.
Securing tue Contents of the Safe the
MsaEderer Makes His Escape.
Murdered the Messenger.

CHICAGO, April 30.-The Louisville eX-
press. on the Louisville, New Albany &
Chicago railway, due here at s o'clock this
morning, arrived about three hours late.
The express matter was carried in the bag
gage GE which is occupied by the express
mea 9Eger and baggage master. 1t is the first
car ON the train. The express messengers
name was George n Davis of Louisville,
KY. Last night at 11:15 the train reached
Harredsburg, Monroe county, and the train
stopped for water. While there passenger
in the sleeping car, j. S. Hamilton of Green
castle, happened to be looking out of the
window, and by the reflected light of the
engine saw a man emerge apparently from
the trucks and disappear in the direction
of the engine. He carried a club or stick.
When Smithville, about two miles north of
Harrodsburg, was reached, there was a
sharp ring of the bell in the engine. The
train stopped and the baggageman flung open
the door of the smoking car and reeled in,
covered with blood. He sunk on his knees
and gasped out to the Mortified passengers
that a robber had entered the baggage car
and shot himself and the express meSsen-
ger. He then fell forward unconscious,
upon his face. Conductor Chamberlain
made his way into the baggage car. Davis
was stretched in a pool of blood by the side
Of his safe, which was opened and plum
dered. Everywhere was evidence Of a ter
rife struggle. Davis was carried into the
smoker. Weber, the baggageman, on be-
coming conscious said he and Davis were
asleep when the robber entered. Webber
was awakened by violent blow On the
head The robber evidently struck Davis
while he was asleep. Davis man
aged to loosen his right hand
and draw his revolver, but before he could
fire the man wrenched the weapon from his
grasp, and, ieyeling it, pulled the trigger
The ball struck the messenger in the head
and he fell dying to the floor. When the
safe had been rifed the robber left the
train as # slowed up in answer to the bell.
The scene of the robbery was among hills
and stone quarrieS, and is thinly settled.
The American Express officials are unable
to say how much money was in the safe,
but think not much is lost.
AS near as can be arrived
at Davis had only about $500
in his care when he left Louisville last
night. The agent at New Albany says he
sent out 81, 800 by Davis from that place.
How much was picked up by him at way
stations cannot be said, but it is not prOba-
BILE the amount will exceed 500. The Off
cials feel very bad over the murder of Davis
as he was one of the most popular
and efficient messengers in their employ.
He has been wounded several times during
his service In the great accident near
Salem, Ind, about two years ago, when
the train went through the bridge, David
saved his life and his yaluables by jumping
out in the river while the train was going
through. He paid for his devotion to duty
to the neglect of self by having q shoulder
and two ribs broken.
LOUISVILLE, April 30.-Davis, the
wounded express messenger, was brought
here tonight from Overflow. He is still
unconscious and cannot recover. 1t is esti-
mated that the robber secured about So, ,000
$4OO of which he dropped in leaping from
the train.