The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-01-27
TRAIN ROBBERS FoILEu.



ney Swfnney, John Drew and John Har
grave, but Drew had revealed the plot e
the officers, and preparations had beer
made which resulted in tho capture Of
Swinney and Hargrsve, who are now in
Jail q Liberty.
About two days ago John Drew, known
about here a. squatter on the island In
the Missouri river, two miles south OF this
city, informed Constable John King and
Justice Of the Peace L. q. Hopkins that an
attempt would be made to rob the night
train on the Wabash Western Tuesday,
January H. Constable King and Justice
Hopkins concluded to keep the matter
participants in the attempt, was instructed
to 60 on with the plans.
The scheme as revealed was for Drew to
flag the train shortly after leaving the sta
ton here, and cover the engineer and FIRE
man with his revolver, while Swinney.
who was the leader, and Hargrave were to
cut the train in two at the express car,
which they were to enter. overpOwer tue
messenger and carry of the safe il it
could not be opened. The trio were then
to disappear with their plumber, flying in
different directions, but meeting at q rem
graves cabin, on The island before men,
toned.
The would-be robbers were to meet at a
school house at spot near where the rob-
berry was to take place, about AN hour be-
fore the train was due, to complete their
arrangements. With this knowledge Con
stable King and Justice Hopkins prepared
their plans for the capture. About one hour
before dark Wednesday night they sum-
moned posse Of seven citizens, including
tho station agent to assist. 1t was de-
cided that Justice Hopkins, Station Agent
Grant Arnold and William Cavity should
meet the train due here at 9:lS p. m, in
form the crew Of the situation and proceed
on board to the place of the expected rob-
berry. Arnold was to take his place on the
engine and Hopkins and Cavity in the ex-
press car. Constable King, Richard
George, William Bratton and James Car
son were detailed to occupy positions on
the south side OF the track ut the selected
spot as reported by Drew. while j. H. Mere
ness and d. E. Bell were detailed for SIM
liar duty on the south Of the track.
The train pulled into the station on time
in charge of Conductor W. o. Becky with
engineer Morsey at the lever. The train
was made up OF an engine, mail car, ex-
press car, baggag, car, two passenge
coaches, two chair cars and two sleepers
with an average number OF passengers on
board. The passengers were not informed
Of the anticipated trouble. The three
squads were armed with double barreled
shotgus and revolvers, and took up the
positions assigned promptly. 1t was half
past uine O'clock, at spot one and onc-half
miles east of this place. that engineer Nor
sey saw the signal and brought the train to
full stop and asked what the trouble was.
Drew, wearing black mask. SLOUGH hat
Of the same color. and holding a revolver
leveled at the occupants of the cab, ordered
them to come down aud surrender. Hav-
ing been Informed Of the situation, they
only got down in the bottom OF the cab.
Swlnney and Hargrave, from positions
at the side Of the track, now advanced
and joined Drew. Swinney wore black
sloUch hat and red mask and carried an or
binary -four sack. in which the piunder was
to be carried of. Hargrave's hat was the
same kind as the other two, but his mask
was white.
Just as Hargrave and Swinney were
about to execute their part ef the pro.
gramme-cutting OF the passenger coaches
from the express car-ArnOld from the en-.
CINE opened fire on the robbers. Drew
secured q position alongside the cab.
at once suspected that Drew had
betrayed them and fired two shots at him
as he lodged behind him out of range of
the bullets from the engine. This opened
up a sharp slirrlish with general firing On
both Sides Swinney and Hargrave retreat
ing to the Lane which crossed the track and
then running rapidly north.
The spot where the train was stopped was
hordered on each side by open fields, with
woods beyond the lane. MerenesS and Bell.
who were stationed north Of the track, at
once openei fire on the fugitives. pursuing
them as they ran, a rail fence serving a. a
defense for the robbers, who returned the
fire until their ammunition gave out when
they took to the woods northeast Of the
lane, aud their trail was lost.
Constable King and party moved to the
south to intercept the men on their return,
as it was expected they would for their
homes. This conclusion proved to be cor
rect, and Hargrave was met as he emerged
from The woods and was captured.
Mereness and Bell now joined the King
posse. The party was then divided, half
going to the house OF Swinney's father
where it was expected he would be found,
and the rest returning to the city with
Hargrave. 1t was midnight when they ar
rived.
After some persuasion Hargrave con.
cluded to talk, aud confessed the facts as
related. He said Swinney had been
in the leg. Finding that he could
not 60 much farther, Swinney had given
Hargrave his weapon and stopped at o
house where he said he would be able 20
prove an abb if caught. Hnrgrave sur
rendered two revolvers to substantiate his
story. He was placed under guard, while
King, Mereness and Bratton went to the
house described by Hargrave, which was
that Of J:Q. Adams, u well known farmer
living two miles south OF the city
and about a half mile from the
place Of the attempted robbery. The
house was surrounded. The door was
opened by Mr.. Adams at the knock Of
Constable King. and in answer to an in
quiry he said Swinney was therein The
kitchen. King went in and informed
Swinney that he was prisoner. Swinney
made no resistance and the party returned
to town with him about 2:3O o'clock in the
morning.
Swinney told Farmer Adams tina, he had
been over spending the evening at neigh
bor's-Ambrose Grifin's-and when re-
turning home he had heard firing, but paid
no attention to it until he was struck in the
leg. His injury was examined, found to be
a slight flesh wound and dressed for him.
Kansas City Railroads.
kansas CITY, Mo-. Jan. l9.-Yesterday
afternoon an instrument was flied in the
Office OF the register Of deeis in Kansas
City, Kan, that will have an important
bearing on the question Of railroad facili-
ties tina: is now agitatiny this city. By its