The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-11-11
THE EXPRESS ROBBERY.
A LETTER APPARENTLY FROM
THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBER.

ST. LOUIS, November 9.-The Globe Democrat
this morning prints letter dated 81 Joe, MO-,
October 81 signed Jim Cummings, which pur-
ports to give full history of the robbery OF the
Adams express, on the San Francisco road on the
night of October %, when between SS0,OOO and
$4,000 in currency was taken. The letter was re-
ceived by the editor of the GlObe-Democrat last
Tuesday 1t enclosed two express money envel-
ones from one of which $50 QUO had been obtained,
from the other S1200O Also memorandum OF
the cashier of the Continental bank notifying the
American National bank, of Kansas City, that $780,
900 was enclosed in the envelopes, and the memo
randum had been fully identified as that taken in
the robbery. The writer of the letter gives az his
reason for writing it that he wants to clear fother
ingham the express messenger, from the sus-
picion which now attaches to him. The letter
Tiyes full details of the robbery and asserts that
Fotheringham was taken completely by surprise,
and had participation in 1t, except as an unWlll
ing victim. =,
The writer tells of a previous attempt to rob the
car at Cuba junction, and details the manner in
which he and his accOmpllce secured letter hea1s,
cards etc aud secured signatures of express Off
cials to enable them to forge an order permitting
the robber to ride in the car with the messenger
The letter states that the robbers had boat whlch,
together with a camping outfit, two guns ana a DOX
of provisions they had secreted near the bridge at
81 Charles, Mo- Also package containing a re-
yolyer, which had been left at the check stand at
the union depot in this city on the day OF TIE rob
berry. -,
The letter is written in hand evidently dis.
1used is fairly constructed and generally well
Spelled errors where they occur being evidently
intentional.
Following the irections given in the letter., the
skif guns and provisions were readily FOUND by
the detectives as was the package containing the
revolver at the union depot check stand. The cor
roborations of the letter are numerous. Ftther-
ingham in mis- first statement, said that the rObLer
remarked when he took from the messenger
pocket the forged le ter by when he had gained
access to the express car, that ne would WLte
letter to the GlUbe-Democrat vindicating the mes
Il ST Nna anna han II q
that recently sent with some Of the stolen money
to Frank James. -,
the etter as clearly blind, and do not IN tne least
abate a vigilant quad over Messenger Fotherng-
ham. Indeed il is stated on pretty good authority
that the Grand Jury yesterday found indictments
against him, Jim Cummings, and two others whose
names are not given, Tor cOnpllc'y IN lhe Iopell,
The detectives think the robbers, when preparing
for the affair took into consideration the eXtraor
dinary pressure which would be brought TO Dear on
the express messenger; that they laid their plans
occo -diro that the Guns, boa, and provisions
,vera left VIII re they were round before tue rob
berv There is no doubt of this, for peol lie fesle
inc in the vicinity remember having seen mysttl
ous strangers in the locality, and guns purCha5ed
near II Charles several days before the rODDeIy.
The nackage at the depot check-stand was also eit
here on the date claimed In the letter the day aer
the robbery but detectives claim that the leter Wa
neither written on the day claimed, nor was y VIII
ton in St Joe. However, they say the mbtter ma
oiven them some very strong clews, and that the
Whole truth regarding the affair will soon be
known.
When the circuit court convened this morning
,bs bsbeas corpus case of ID. $. FotheringDan,
w w .ITns' evnress messenger who was robbed In
hie ne cor two weeks ago of $4,000, was called
TTiastberinqhen claimed in petition which he pre-
ssnted 10 the court yesterday, that be was unlaw-
suIIv AGAINST his will, deprived of his liberty py
lI:yn' dy the Adams Express company and their
agaIta writ was ssned, returnable this morn
mo When the case was called Manager Dams,ssl'
nf the express company. his attorney, hcponsl1i
ineham was not to be seen. -. ..,o-rsv
Mcdonald. who is also assistant circuit attorney,
s,.tes that Fotheringhsm had been By mlls.s mlstak.s
taken 20 the four courts, instead OF tne eii'"''