Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1886-11-04
BIG DOODLE.
Ar Adams Express Messenger
Overpowered in His Car,
Roand, Gagged and Made Fast to the Safe
by q Clever Robber, Who Coclly APP
propriates Nearly $50, 900 and
Makes His Escape.

Roand, Gagged and Made Fast to the Safe
10y a Clever Robber, Who Coclly APP
propriates Nearly $50, 900 and
Makes His Escape.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 26.-The messenger Of
the Adams Express Company who lef,
Union Depot at s:25 O'Clock last evening
in charge of the car ON the west-bound
st. Louis & San Francisco tram was
bound and robbed of $50, 900 at poin,
on the road between Meramec station
and Mincke's Bluff. Shortly before the
train pulled out of the depot last night
two men were seen in the vicinity of the
express car, and later man. supposed to
be one of this couple, boarded the car,
and accosting Messenger Fotherinsham
presented letter, purpOrting to be
signed by Route Agent Barrett,
instructing the messenger to
Initiate the holder into the duties
of the position of messenger on last
nights trip. At the regular time the
train pulled out 0: the depot and the ex-
press car was closed as usual. Near St.
SItiIS Al SidtiOil nv MiCo WCot VI ~.
Louis, the train was tagged by couple
of negroes, who said they had discovered
a rock on the track. Some distance
further on large stone, which it was es-
timated weighed several tons, was dis
covered between the rails, having appar-
emily been rolled down the declivity at
the side of the rails. When the train
pulled up, Conductor Sprinkle went for
ward, and as be passed the express car
tried the door, but could not arouse the
messenger.
A delay was caused while the train crew
removed the rock from the rail. 1t seemed
possible that this stone had fallen from
the ledae Of one of the embankments at
the side OF the Frisco track. Although
the work consumed an hour and thirty
minutes, no further effort was made to
call the express messenger, whose as
siS'ance was not required in removing
The obstruction. When the train reached
st. Clair cries were heard from the ex-
press car, and the conductor went TO the
door of the car and, calling Engineer
Chas. HOag, pushed it open.
Messenger Fotherinoham was found
tied by the neck 10 the SAFE, with his
hands and feet bound 1t was then al
most one O'Clock. message annOunc-
ing that the Adams Express Cur had been
robbed was then sent TO the st. Louis &
San Francisco train dispatcher ut the
company's yards, Manchester road and
ChOuieau avenue, this city. This inf0r-
nation was impaired 10 Private Watch.
man McCairn, who Immediately tel
ephoncd the Fifth Police District sta
ton, together with the Information
that a freight train would shortly be
due at the Yards from the West. Ser
seant Woodlock, with Patrolmen Arrow,
Mccarthy, Walsh and McFadden, started
for the yards at once, and on reaching
the Office instructed Dispatcher Burns to
obtain Il detailed statement of the rob-
berry from the messenger. The train
had, however, pulled out, and a telegram
was accordingly sent TO the next station,
where the train was stopped and the
statement secured
Fotherngham stated that shortly after
eight O'Clock last night. at the Union
Depot, man weighing about two hun
dred pounds, tall and well built, with
florid lace and low forehead, large hands
and feet and Il coarse voice applied at the
door of the car and at once handed in Il
letter purporting 10 be signed by Route
Agent Barrett and instructing him to
take out the bearer, an extra man, on
asst nights trip. After the train had
started out, the man stated that his name
was jim Cummings. Fotheringham
stated that he was busy with his usual
duties during the first few miles of the
Zip. At about half-past nine, at some
spot near Meramec station, "Cummings"
suddenly drew revolver, and as resist
lncc was useless, in his estimation, he
submitted to be bound and tied 10 the
safe, after which Cummings helped HIM
self to packages of currency supposed to
contain $4,000, mCst of which was con-
signed to Springfield, Mo. Fotheringham
could give no more accurate description
If Cummings than that above stated,
With the addition that he wore
lark clothes. Fotheringham returned
o this city this morning and was
It once taken iii charge by Su
Damsel of the Adams
express Company, who had him closeted
IL the express company's Office at Twelfth
md Poplar streets all morning. Mr.. Dam
el, when seen, stated that Messenger
could not be seen by any.
'ody until he had first made full state.
nent 10 the express company. At 10 a
n. Fotherngham was still slowed away
t the express Office. and it was given OUT
hat he was laboring upon his writtea
fficial statement.
The following is the official report OF
he general superintendent Of the Frisco |
Dad to the general manager OF the road |
the robbery:
express robbery on No. 8 last night |
Messenger claims that q man presented |
letter to him in Union depot signed BY |
lr. Barrett, route agent Adams Express |
company, ordering him to take an extra
nan out in his car. He allowed the man |
o ride with him. Somewhere between
It. Louis and Pacific the messenger
lams that the man turned on him with
evolver and tied and gagged him and
fled the safe and left the Car near
'acitic No. was delayed neat
iincke one hour aud thirty min
ties removing large rock
rom the track, which had fallen from the
Iuf The conductor tried the door OF
he express car while they were there
ut could raise no one. At Pacific the
xpress agent also tried the door, bui
ou!d not raise the messenger. At st.
lair, fiity.tw miles out, Sprinkle, the
onduclor, heard noise in the car and
orccd the door open, finding the mes.
enser tied but not INJURED Express
ompany officers have all been notified,
S well as the authorities at points east
{ Rolla. The messenger stated that be
,st over 5000 in packages and cur
ency."