Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-01
ALA JAMES BOYS.
Missouri Desperadoes Stop a Train
Near HarrOdsburg,
PROBABLY MURDER TWO TRAINasN
And Secure Many ValuabIes on the Louis
vile, New Albany and Chicago
Railroad.
ONE OF THE TRAIN HANDS DEAD.

CHICAGO. April 3O.-A band of robber;
attacked a passenger train near Harrods
burg last night, and in addition to securing
many valuables, probably killed two Of the
trains crew who attempted to repel them.
The train attacked was the Chicago express
on the Louisville, New Albany and Chicago
Railroad, which left Louisville last evening.
The whole affair was marked by the daring
of Missouri desperadoes of the
James boys type. When the train
was near Harrodsburg, a small town,
the bandits, numbering half dozen, came
out Of the thicket, and as the engineer
slowed up, the cab was boarded, and with
revolvers pointed at his head, the engineer
was compelled to stop the train. Leaving
two of their number to guard the cab, with
shout the remainder went through the
train fourishing revolvers and compelling
The passengers to display their pocketbooks
and yaluaules. The passengers, OF whom
there was fair number, seemed paralyZed
with fear and allowed themselved to be
searched without opposition. All the cars
were gone through in this style and several
thousand dollars secured.
While the robbers we're searching the
passengers the other train congregated near
he baggage car, and after the first surprise
wore off, attacked the robbers. A short
and sharp conflict ensued, but the trainmen
had expected nothing of the kind and were
iIlv prepared to resist. The robbers opened
fire on the little band of resolute fellows and
several of their shots took effect, while the
: de OF The car was punciured with bullets.
Two Of the crew were nortally hurt, as fol,
ows
Gtcrge K. Davis, express messenger,
slot and beaten; Peter Weber, baggage
ma ter, beaten with club.
lie IoULers then broke open the safe in
the car, but found only $40 IN it They es,
CT ped 10 tie woods. 1t is not known how
much ioory they secur,d.
Tie Louisville express arrived about
ii rec hours late, and the passengers and
traiumen relate on entirely different ac-
count Of the robbery than the one first tele'
graphtd. 1t appears that there was no or.
ganized band Of highwaymen. shortly be-
fore The train should have reached Bloom.
ington, a man having the appearance Of a
uamp, entered the express car from the
smoking car, armed with heavy hickory
stick. In the express Car were Geo Il. DAVIS,
the express messenger, and Peter Webber,
the baggagemaster Hestruck Webber on the
head, Telling him, while Davis ran for his
revolver. Before he could reach it the man
bit him also, and then, taking away the re-
volver, shot him in the head. He then
made the bGggageman open the safe, and
lake out the money. The tramp then
pulled the bell cord ard stopped the train,
but first fired at Weber the bullet striking
him in the forehead. Webber succeeded in
reaching the smoker and gave the alarm,
but the solitary train robber had disap-
peared in the darkness. The alarm was
not given until the train reached Blooming
ipgton, when q search was begun. The
amount stolen is not known, but exceeds
$1,000. Davis and Webber are both alive,
but the former cannot recover.
Not Much Lost.
LOUISVILLE, KY, April 30.-American
Express officials are unable to say how
much money was in the safe robbed last
night but think there is not much lost. AS
near as can be got at Davis had only about
four hundred dollars in his care when he
LETT this city. The agent at New Albany
SAYS he sen. out $1,000 by Davis
from that place. How much was picked
up by him at way stations cannot be said,
but it is not probable the amount will ex-
ceed 500. The officials feel very bad over
the murder of Davis, as he WAS ore Of the
most popular and efficient messengers in
their employ. He had teen wounded several
times during his service. In the great acci'
dent near salem, lid about tSo years ago.
when n train went through the bridge, Davis
.aved his lie ard ail TIE yalrables By dump.
ing it out Into the river while the train was
going through. lie paid for hi' devotion to
duty 10 neglect Of sell, By having his shout
der q r Il .yS,, Iibs hrnk.n