Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-06-14
BOLD RUFFIANS.
A Gang OF Miscreants Attempt to
Rob an Express Train Near
Cincinnati
They are Defeated by the Bravery OF
the Engineer and Fireman
The
Baggagemaster Fatally WOunded-HOt
Pursuit of the RObbers-0ne of
Them Hurt.

CINCINNATI, June "a little after ten
O'Clock last night American Express Mes
senger J. h Zimmerman and Baggage
master Joe Ketchum were alone together
In the express and baggage car Of the CIn-
cinnati, indianapolis, ST. Louis & Chi
cago railway train due here at eleven
O'Clock city time, when Zimmerman, as
the tram left Delhi, station La elve miles
west OF here, called Ketchum's attention
10 tramrs that he saw through the glass
window OF the car door leading TO the front
platform next TO the locomotive tender.
and both arose and went toward the door.
When within ten feet OF it the tramps
began nrIng through the glass window and
Aetchum fell, shot in four places, TWO balls
entering his abdomen, one his breast and
one his left shoulder. Zimmerman tried
10 draw his pistol, but 1t stuck in his hip
pocket and he retreated TO the rear plat
form OF the car, where he met the con-
ductor and the latter pulled tue bell rope
and stopped the train.
While this was going on one Of the
tramps climbed on the tender, where he
was met by the engineer and fireman and
Knocked stih by two blows from a monkey
wrench The engineer and fireman then
rolled him on the tender while the train was
at fulI speed Before he was thrown over
board. however, second robber attempted
to climb in the tender. but weakened and
form OF his companion.
Before the train stopped more than one
robber was seen TO jump of and disappear
In the darkness All of them wore masks
completely covering their faces. Not a
word was spoken by the robbers during
the entire ARRAY, and not a shot was fired
at them Indeed that was not possible
under the circumstances. The night
was very dark, and Zimmerman and
Ia
went with a lantern to the front
door and gave the miscrea1ts every adyan-
tage Had they waited instead OF firing.
Inc men would have opened the door and
would have been entirely In their power.
They fired, Mr.. Zimmerman and the con-
ductor think, not less than fifteen Shots.
zimmerman says he saw four men dis
tinctly and all of them wore masks
They did not get on the inside of the car
and so have become robbers and murdererS
without paw
The police, mounted and on foot, aided by
large force of citizens, are patro.ling the
river front and securing the country TO III
tercept the scoundrels, and the sheriff is
out with large posse, while train with
thirty policemen went down from here by
rail, starting at twelve O'clock. They viii
get as many mounts as poss bic down to
Delhi. The Kentucky authorities have also
been notified to be on the lookout. AT III d.
night no intelligence had been received IN
this city OF the capture Of any of the gang,
not even OF the man who was tumbled of
the locomotive tender
b j. Zimmerman, the express messen-
ger, says the men were expert robbers.
Their pistols were of large caliber and
they seemed cool and courageous. Ketchum
is now under the care Of Surgeons Mu> croft
and cambridge. 1t appears his bladder
has been penetrated by one bali and there
is no hope OF his recovery. The man
tumbled off the tender has not been found.
Two suspects have been arrested.