Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-11-12
A RAILROAD STORY.
A LAWYER THAT WAS TOO SMART
FOR A DEFECTIVE.


in criminal annals, in which we'll
known detectives of Cincinnati and
prominent attorneys of Indiana fg-
ured. The case was the more re-
marakle because the lives of a mum
Der of persons were involved, and
the result went TO show how close
one could come to death and yet
eScape. and what little circum
stances, taken advantage Of oc-
caslonally change the aspect OF al
fairs and defeat the ends of Justice.
Toledo was not the name that
charming little city was known by
at that time. 1t was called Perry
City, after an old resident about
those parts, and was then a quaint
village with not much more than
2,5OO inhabitants.
Among the persons upon trial
were Charles St. Claire. He was
the proprietor of a house a low re-
sort at Terre Haute, and was prln-
cipal defendant. Next in order was
"Budr Shoemaker, at the time a
baggage.man on the Vandalia road.
Jennie Osgood, an inmate OF a
house of ill.repute at Indianapolis
was also a defendant, as were two
negroes and white man employed
about st. Claire's place at Terra
Haute.
Just a year previously a train on
the Vandalia route had been at
tackled by robbers, and during the
attack one man, Milo Ames, the
engineer, was killed outright, and
several passengers seriously injured
The attack was made at Long Point
water-tank, a dreary, lonesome spot
on that road, at which trains stop
ped for water. There was not q
house for miles about, and no bet
ter place for midnight marauder'
could have been thought of. The
point is about sixty miles from
Terre Haute, Ind, and about foul
miles from Casey, III.
Close to u o'clock on the night
of July 6, 1876, as train on the
Vandalia was about to draw out af
ter "watering-up" at Long Point
water-t tank, the engineer was sur
prised at a slight noise back of him
and turning about, was confronted
by masked men, one on each side
of his cab. The fireman was stand
ing at one side of the track, and
overheard one OF the men say as
he levelled his revolver at the en-
gineer:
"Pull out, or I'll let daylight
through your
1t was afterwards supposed that
the engineer supposed the men in
tended robbery. They we're bott
masked, one with a handkerchief
covering his face, and the othel
wearing a huge visor. Over The
visor was pulled a black slouch hat
and it was these articles that playet
such a prominent part in the trial
aud the skilful use of which at thC
proper moment gave the suspected
persons their liberty. When con
fronted by the two men the engin
eer at once placed his hand in hi
hip.pocket. He carried his purse
there, and undoubtedly meant t
give it up.
Scarcely had he started to reacl
for it than one of the men fired
and the poor fellow fell back dea'
alongside his engine. To the fire
mans surprise one of the mel
grasped the lever, the throttle flew
open, and the engine and express
car, minus the remainder of tn
train, shot by him and down tn
track. lie watched it as long a
possible, and then heard consider
able shooting of firearms.
The express-messenger, a brav
fellow named Burke, was in bis cal
and of course heard the shot tina
caused the engineers death. II
Immediately surmised what was W
; and determined to hold on, and OF
p ly to give up his trust with his lli'
The engine ran down the trac
about a half mile or more, when
suddenly calns to Q stop. BY tn
time Burhe had barFicaded Oh
doors of the car, which containe
almost 100000 in money, and wit
two trusty revolvers, sprawled upo
his stomach, awaited whatevt
might come. He had not long
wait. An attempt was made
open one of the doors, but it ws
found to be barricaded, and a sh'
that came close to one OF the 70
bers informed them that they wouI
have trouble in getting the cOvete
wealth.
They then withdrew TO a sa
!, distance and fairly riddled the Q
press.car with bullets, one Of whiC
slightly wounded Burke. 1t WI
this shooting that the nrem'
}. heard, and he was not long in a
quainting the passengers, who hi
been left behind, with what W
going On. They made rush dov
= the track toward the expresses
firing their revOlvers as they rs
The robbers, becoming frightene
soon made themselves scarce, sho'
}, ing as they fed and WOunding sc
eral passengers. The fireman to-
|; charge, the engine was run ba