The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-01-25
ROBBERS TRAPPED.
sherifrs Posse with shotguns on
the Train.

ROBBERS TRAPPED.
sherifrs Posse with shotsuns on
the Train.
ST. Lours. JAN l9.-Train robbers were
foiled last night in an attempt TO rob an cx-
press train on the Wabash Western road at
Cooley's Lake. twenty -four miles east OF
Kansas City. The regular Kansas City St
Louis Express train No. 4 left Kansas City
at the regular hour, $50 r. N. Ii was in
charge OF W o. Beckley, the regular con-
ductor, when the train stopped at Missouri
City. On the platform Of the little station
was band of men with shotguns. The
conductor was informed that they were un-
der command Of an official of the county,
who had received word that an attempt
would be made TO rob the ST. Louis Express
at lonely spot little less than ten miles
east of Missouri City. One of the officers
got in the cab Of the engine with the engi-
neer and fireman and the others distributed
themselves throughout the train.
Cooley's Lake fishing resort. one of the
loneliest points ON the road In winter time,
was the place where the attack was 10 be
made None Of the passengers of the train
were notified of the danger At $3.50 as the
point of the attack was neared, a red light
was seen cleaning ahead. As the train
slowed up the engineer saw three masked
men armed with rifles standing on the track
THE ROBBERS APPEAR.
"Get off there" said the leader ofthe three
men to the engineer, Morsey climbed
down out of the cab. Just as he reached the
ground the officer in the cab pointed his
shotgun out of the cab window and fired on
the leader of the band. As soon US the shot
was fired, he and Morsey dropped down out
of sight. The shot from the cab was an
swered with shots from the guns ofthe three
robbers, which ratified about the engine, but
did no harm. The three men retired in a
demoralized state. As they moved back
part of the posse came up from the woods,
where they had been in conceaIment for
some time, and opened fire on them. These
men had been sent out from Missouri City
in advance of the train and had concealed
themselves, TO be in readiness, whenever
they should be needed
About twenty shots were exchanged, the
men ON the train joining in pursuit The
posse continued in pursuit of the band and
when the train reached Moberly there was a
report that two of them had been captured
fIs4a
of them had been killed. The robbers are
known to be farmers living in the neighbor-
hood of Missouri City. One of them is said
10 have been a member of the James gang at
one time.
ALL OF THEN CAPTURED.
Telegrams for General Manager Heys from
Division Superintendent Mctiee say that all
Of the would-be robboers have been captur-
cd. Three of them were overtaken by the
posse and the fourth, Barney Swceny. the
leader who had stopped the train and who
received heavy load Of shot in the breast
from the gun of the man concealed in the
engine cab, was found in the woods, where
be had crawled after being wounded The
plot was given away by one of the gang
named King, who told Grant Arnold. station
agent at Missouri City, what was coming on.
Arnold in turn notified the Sheriff and he
organized posse. Arnold was
1ne of the posse, and it was he who shot the
cader from the cab. King remained with
he gang and signaled the train 10 stop. but
,n- M afk - II. 81 f..;~
aid TO be dangerously wounded Ae has
Ong record of crime in the State and is con-
idered one of the worst men in Missouri
'ince the days of the Jesse James gang of
outlaws. He was a member of that band of
iesperadoes. He has been tried for killing
wo men, but in some way got clear. In one
ase he shot man sitting on q fenceJ'' lust
o see'him drop and in the other case he
Tiled man on Missouri Pacific train near
'inta about five years ago. He recently
eryed a term of two years in the peniten-
larry for attempting to blackmail out of
800 the late CO... A. a. Talmage. General
Manager of the Wabash Railroad Com
ANY.
Thomas Furlong, Chief of the Secret Ser
iicc of the Missouri Pacific railroad. saws
swceny is the meanest and most despicable
lillian that nc ever met. John King, who
ave the gang away, is young man of Mis-
ouri City, and says he was forced TO Join |
he band against his will and gave the rail !
Dad officials information of the scheme two
weeks ago.
The names of the would-bc robbers are |
ohm b. Swinney mot Sweeny rs previously 4
eported), the leader; John Hargrave, Noah /
brew and W. III. Harris From the best ]
Information at hand at this writing John /
ling, who has figured all day as the in T
primer. is Noah Drew The men have been
lken to the Clay county Jail at Liberty, the
ounty seat. Hargrdyes has made confgs-
ion, and will tell his story on the witness
tand next Wednesday, when the men will
ave an examination.