The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-28
ANOTHER VICTORY FOR PINKERTON.
The Southwestern Train Robbers Run to
Earth and Their Leader in Custody.
81 East Washington ST.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Jan. 27.-For several years
passenger trains in Texas, Missouri. Colorado
and elsewhere have been held up by bands of
masked men who robbed passengers, express
companies, mails, etc., and in many instances
killed or wounded persons who were brave
enough TO defend property in their possession.
The railroad, State and executive authorities Of
fered large rewards for the capture Of the dar-
ing highwaymen, but without effect. Early in
December last train on the St. Louis & Texas
railroad, near Genoa, Ark, was signaled by
red light, and when the engineer brought it to
a stop he was Immediately confronted by re-
volvers in the hands of masked men, who COM
PEELED him to accompany them to the express
car, which was forced open and soon despoied
of its most valuable contents, despite the re-
sistance Of the messenger in charge. The rob-
bers fed to the woods and after were
pursued and overtaken by the sheriff and posse,
but after running fight in which many revol-
vers were ensotied tie thieves escaped. AS this
was the first successful attempt in many years
to depredate upon the Southern Express Com
pany, its officials, with the cooperation of Pres
ident Fordyce, of the railroad company, imme-
diatey placed the matter in charge of Pinker-
tons agency, with directions to use every
means to capture the gang. Detectives were
sent to the scene, where was found a "slicker,"
or OH cIOtQ coat. Il DIS gdrm enb was maze In SC.
Louis, and investigation there elicIted the
names of storekeepers in Arkansas and Texas
who were purchasers of such goods. Each of the
latter was visited in turn, without results, until
a dealer in Waco, Texas, not only recognized
the coat but accurately described the man to
whom 1t had been sold. This clew, coupled with
other circumstances. led to the arrest of man
named Brock. who was brought to Texarkana
and identified by the held dup engineer as the man
who held revolver to his head while going to
the express car. AS denial was useless, Pinker-
tnpf sra., I,.1,&
participation in the affair, but also to reveal
some uch-Deeded information. Acting on this,
a trip was made to the mountains of north Ala
bama, in search of two brothers named Renben
and James Burrows. They resided in q strong
hold about twenty miles from Vernon. Ala, but
being surrounded by vigilant allies, they got
warning, and on the approach of the detectives
fed from their home, and. although pursued by
shots from Winchester rifles, succeeded in es-
Gaping under cover of early dawn. AS further
pursuit among the moonshners of those parts
was useless the detectives left the vicinity but,
as precautionary measure. Immediately noti-
fed the sheriffs of several counties and the
chiefs of police of adjacent Cities and gave full
descriptions of the outlaws. Among others who
received these descriptions and the
alert, was the chief of police OF Montgomery,
Ala. and on Sunday last he deserted two men
on through train who seemed to answer the
pictures and arrested them. They proved te be
the much wanted men, but when nearing the
police station they made desperate resistance,
and broke away from the officers. One was
soon recaptured. and proved TO be beyond any
doubt James Burrows. The other brother,
Reuben, chased some distance. and only
escaped by shooting a citizen who attempted to
check his fight. The murder of this innocent
person, coupled with the notoriety of the mur-
derer, soon aroused the indignation of people
and police, who vigorously searched the entire
night for the criminal On Wednesday morning
the pursuing party came upon him just beyond
the city limits, but were met by volley from
Reuben's revolvers. He was chased however,
into a dense swamp. in which it is thought he is
safely imprisoned until boodhounds drive him
out and into the hands of the officers. 1t now
transpires that the prisoner. James Burrows.
has been the organizer and leader in all the
train robberies which have occurred for the past
several years. and his capture, as well as that
of Brock and their certain conviction, will ter
inmate for a long time a gang whose daring ana
successful train robbing schemes kave had no
equal since the days of the Reno. Younger, and
James gangs. Pinkerton's agency deserves the
highest credit for this great Fsuccess. and rail-
road and expressmen in the South and West Will
now travel with more confidence in the knowl-
edge that their worst and most dangerous
mics are in safe custody. The prisoner James
Burrows. heavily ironed, arrived here this mora
ing from Montgomery. and left by connecting
train for Texarkana In the custody of three
Pinkerton men and General Superintendent III.
). OBrien, of the express company.