The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-12-03
A RAILROAD STORY.

A RAILkUAU SlUhEs
Nine years ago the little town Ol
Toledo, the seat of Cumberland
county, ILL.,, was the scene of one Ol
the most remarkable trials known
in criminal annals, in which we'll
known detectives of Cincinnati and
prominent attorneys OF Indiana
| figured. The case WAS the more
remarkable because the lives of
number 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, occa
sionalfy change the aspect of affairs
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 quaint
village with not much more than
$500 Inhabitants.
Among the persons npoA trial
were Charles S.. Claite. He was
the proprietor of house OF low
resort at Terre Haute, and was tue
principal defendant. Next in order
was "Bud" Shewmaker, at the time
- baggageman on the Vandalif
Road. Jennie Osgood, an inmate
of house of i'll repute at Indian
apoIis. was also defendant, al
we're two negroes and white man
employed about st. Claire'S place a
Terre Haute.
just a year previously train OF
the Vandalia Route had been at
tackled by robbers, and during tht
attack one man, Milo Ames, th'
engineer, was killed outright an(
several passengers seriously in
imed. The attack was made Il
Long Point Water Tank, a dreary
lonesome spot OH that road, a
which trains stopped for water
There was not a house for mile'
about, and no better place for mid
night marauders could have beer
thought of. The Point is abOul
sixty miles from Tcrre Haute, Ind,
and about four miles from Casey,
Iii.
Close TO II o'clock on the night
OF July 6, 1876, as n train on the
Vandalia was abont to draw out
after watering up" at Long Point
Water Tank, the engineer was sur
priscd at a slight noise back OF him
aud, turning about, was confronted
by masked men, one on each side
Of bis cab. The fireman was stand
ing at one side of the track, aud
overheard one OF the men say as he
leveled his revolver at the engin
eer:
"Pull ont, or I'll let daylight
through yOuP
It. WAS atterward thought that the
engineer supposed the men intend
ed robbery. They we're both mask
ed, one with a hadkerchiet cover
ing his face and the other wearing
a huge visor. Over the visor was
pulled a black SLOUGH hat, aud it
was these articles that played such
a prominent part in the trial, aud
the SkiIlful use of which at the
proper moment gave the suspected
persons their liberty. When con-
fronted by the two men the engIn-
ser at once placed his hand in his
hlp pocket. He carried his purse
Eere, and undoubtedly meant to
1--WE it up. -
Y Scarcely had lie started to reach.
for it than one of tile men fred, and
tho poor fellow fell back dead
alongside his engine. To the fire.
mau's surprise one of the men
grasped the lever, tue throttle flew
Opep, aud the engine aud express
car, minus the remainder OF the
train, shot by him and down the
track. he watched it as long as
possible, and then heard considera-
BILE shooting of firearms.
The express messenger, q brave
fellow named Burke, was in his car,
and of course heard the shot that
caused the engineers death. He
Immediately surmised what was mp,
aud determined TO hold on, and only
to give up his trust with bis life.
The engine ran down he track
about a half-mile or more, When it
suddenly came to a stop. By this
time Burke had barflcaded the
doors OF his car, which contained
almost S200, 600 in money, and with
two trnsty revolvers, sprawled upon
bis stomach, awaited whatever
migh6 come. BE had not long to
wait. An attempt was mate TO
onen one of the doors, bat IL was
found to be barFicaded, aud shot
that came close co one OF the rob
bers informed them that they would
have trouble in getting the coveted
wealth.
They then Withdrew 10 . sale
distance and fairly riddled the ex-
Dress ear with bullets, one OF which
slightly wounded Burke. It was
this shooting that the fireman
heard, and be was not long In nc
onainting the passengers, Who had
been left behind, With what was