New-York tribune., 1886-11-13
THE JOKES OF A TRAIN ROBBER.
Jim CUMMINGS" YET WRITING LETTERS.
OFFERING TO GO ON THE BOND OF THE IMPRIs-
oNED EXPRESS MESSENGER.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. IL tSpecidb -" jim" Cum
mings, the express robbor. has again declared him
self He accompanies his declaration with $4,000
In non-negotabe securities, which he turned over
to "The Republican," to be distributed to the right
owners. His communication is condensed state
mcnt Of the Information and the allegations set forth
in his first letter, which he had evidently not seen
when he wrote the second. The property returned
consists Of notes drafts checks mortgages and vouch-
ers. They were found in excellent condition. The
riaed money packages were also returned and the
robber states that II upon further examination he
discovers property which Is of no use to him, he Will
return 1t. The papers had all been closely examined
by the robber, and his memoranda and remarks on
the margins have made the detectives the laughlhg
stock of the town. One OF the best Of Cummings
Jokes is his comment letter TO the messenger
who had furnished only one bondsman and was re-
quired to have a second:
"To see if this bloke Is any good on earth" says
JIM an 90 on his bond" He adds note to the
effect that his available assets consist of $4,000 III
cash. the in good clean bank notes stolen from the
express company offered the security for an en-
ploye's honesty At the bottom Of the bond were
places for tho signatures Of two surcties. gen
unc surety was attached and underneath was written
"Jim Cummings, ST. Jo., Mo qualify for So3,OoO
personal property" Among the papers was a com
munication sent with money package, on which
was written by the sender: IF this does not reach
YOU on time make a proper complaint" Beneath
this the robber wrote: 81 have complaint TO
mako whatever" On another letter sent to The
Republican" written In st. Louis by Route Agent
J. b. Barrett to Louis c. Redding the express agent
at Fort Smith, Ark, relative to proposed change Oh
agents at Eureka Springs and dated October 2o tho
day of the robbery the owing was added by the
interesting robber: "IIoly smoke! but wasn't this
a narrow escape Barrett in It Louis the very DAY
| held him up Close shave!"
The aulacity of the r0bber is the sole theme, ana
his actions have plunged the in deeper mystery
The letter Io,tnarkcd Topeka Kan, November 10
Messenger FOtheringham was asked today Thst NC
thought Of the latest Cummings letter. Il don't
know what to think Of it except that I'm locked up
here. | don't worry at all now Jim cummings
ought get himself caught, and guess he VIII II he
keeps writing letters. / hope he is caught
don't know y,hng new in the case. only know
that | haven't the money stolen from the express
company and don't know anything about IT."
It is confidently stated in behalf OF the officials OF
the cxprcs, company and the detectives in their EN-
poy that they nave discovered the identity of the
two men recently indicted by the Grand Jury for
grand larceny under the names Of "Jim" Cummings
and Richard Roe, but they do not as yet sec tit TO
make their plans public. 1t has been asccrtainel
that a vaitergirl in a Paine st. restaurant was Cum
mngs's mistress, and from her his description, which
tallics exactly with that given by fOthernghanl,
was obtained The shops at St Charles, Mo-. where
the camp outfit and uther things referred TO by cum
mngs in q former letter purchased, have been
visited by the detectives and from their proprieors
It has beer learned that orc of the purchasers was
the waiter girl and doubtless one of the robbers.