The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-07
IRAN ROBBERY.
An Express Train Rsided by Robbers. the
Messenger Killed and Safe Robted.

An Express Train Raided by Robbers. the
Messenger Killed and Safe Robbed.
CHICAGO, April 3e.-The Louisville ex-
press on the Louisville, New Albany and
Chicago Railroad, due here at eight O'Clock
Shis morning, was stopped Rear HarrOds-
burg, Ind, shortly before midnight by a
band of masked robbers. They compelled
the engineer and fireman to leave the en-
CINE. Entering the express car the
American Express messenger was covered
with REVIEWERS, and refusing to unlock the
safe was shot dead. TIE safe was broken
open, bot found TO contain but s4Oo Tho
scene OF the robbery is sInOng the hills AID
stone eGarries, and is tflckly settled.
Nothing unusual WIS suspected until the
little station of Smithvillc Hill, about two
miles north of HSrrodSburg was
reacIsi. Three sha1D rings of the bell in
the engine stopped the traiL- Be
fore inquiry as o. who pulled the bell
rope could be made the baggagemaS-
ter fang upen the door of the smoking car
and reeled in covered with blood that
triGkled from CHASTITY wound " his head.
Hessunk on his knees between the forward
seats and gasped out to the Mortified
passengers, who rushed to him that a
0cbber had entered the bag
gage car and shO. himself and
Jhe express messenger This was all he
was able to say and he fell forward uncon-
-scious upon hrs face. By that time the con-
auctOr came " and was at EriS side, and with
, few of the more intrepid of The passengers
made his way into the baggage car.
a single lantern turned low, and swing
: fraoy hf,n in IA
over frigf&ful scene. Davis was stretched
in pool of blood by the side of the safe,
which was broken open and plundered.
Davis wsS lifted and carried into the
smoker. He was breathing, but it was evil
dent he was wounded TO death. He had
been shot in the upper part of the head. a
piece of skull as large as silver dollar be-
ing totally blown Off. From this aperture
blood and brains freely OOZed.
THE FACTS.
Weber, the baggagemaSter, gives this
account of the affair: When the train
stopped at HarrodSburg he and Davis
were asleep upon their train chests.
Both doors of the car were open and
they had no suspicion of anything wrong.
Just after the train got into motion he
was awakened by a violent blow on the
head. The force was such as to half stun
him, but staggering to his feet, he saw a
tall, muscular man struggling with Davis.
The messenger was despatched with blood,
which was gushing from wound in his
head, and he also had evidently been
struck with club while asleep. Webber
was too badly hurt to take part in the
atfray and fell to the floor The robber
was large man, raggedly dressed, and had
a briStling light moustache. This much
Webber noticed as the two men struggled
in each others embrace. Davis, managing
to loosen his right arm, drew his
revolver. Before he could fire, the
man wrenchedxhe weapon from his grasp,
and leyeling it, like lightning 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 it slowed up in answer to
the bell. Search was made as soon as
could hbe, but 10 trace of the criminal
could be found. The wounded men were
left at Bloomington.