The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-09
They Attack the Express and Baggage Car
and Fire About Fifteen Shots-Baggage-
master Ketcham Shot in Four Places,
Receiving Injuries Which Are Certain
to Result in His Speedy Death.
Engineer and Firemsn Knock One Of the Men
Senseless and Roll Him to Earth While
the Train Is Running at Full Speed.


Attempts to Rob IN Express Csr---Bsggage-
Master Ketcham Fatally Shot.
CINCINNATI. June 8-A little after 10 o'clock
to night, the American express messenger, j.
a. Zimmerman. and bsggaee-m master Joseph
Ksscham, were alone together in the express
and baggage car Of the Cincinnati. Indianapolis,
st. Louis g. Chicago railway train which is due
here at IL o'clock. city time. Zimmerman,
when the train left Delhi. station twelve miles
west of here. called Ketcham's attention
to some tramps that he saw through the glass
window of the car door leading to the front
platform. next to the locomotive tender. Both
men arose and went toward the front door,
When within ten feet Of it the tramps began
firing through the glass window. Ketcham fell,
shot in four places. two balls entering his abdo-
men, one in his breast and one in his left shout
der. Zimmerman tried to draw his pistol, but
it stuck in his hip pocket. and he
retreated to the rear platform of the
car, where he met the conductor. The latter
pulled the 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 stiff by
two blows from q monkey wrench. The On.
der while the train was at full speed. Before
he was thrown overheard, however, second
weakened and lodged back at the sight Of the
PROSTATE form of his companion. Before the
seen to jump Of and disappear in the daQ-
ness. Ali of them wore masks, completely
covering their faces. Not word was spoken
by the robbers during the entire ARRAY, and not
a shot was fred at shem. Indeed, that was not
possible under the circumstances. The night
was very dark. and Zimmerman and Kstcham,
supposing them to be tramps. went with g Ian
tern 30 the front door. and gave the miscrcsnts
every advantage Had they waited instead Of
firing. the men would have opened the
door, and would have been en-
t.rely in their power. They fired, Mr..
Zimmerman and tho conductor think, not
less than fifteen shots. Zimmerman says be
saw four men distinctly, aud that oil of them
wore masks. They did not get inside Of the
car, and so have become robbers and murderers
without pay. The police. mounted and on foot,
aided by large force Of citizens. are patrolling
the river front and securing the country to in
tercept the scoundrels. The sheriff il out with
large posse
A train with thirty policemen went down
from here by rail. starting at IL o'clock. They
will get as many mounts az possible at Delhi.
The Kentucky authorities have also bee mott
fed to DO on the lookout.
At this hour, 12:40 no intelligence has been
received in this city Of the capture of any OF
the gang not even Of the man who tumbled of
the locomotive tender
Mr.. Fl. j. Zimmerman, the express messen-
ger. says the men were expert robbers Their
pistols were Of large caliber, and they seemed
cool aud courageous. Joseph Ketchum is now
under the care of surgeons Muscroft aud Daud-
ridge. 1t appears his bladder has been pene-
trated by one ball. and there Is no hope of his
recovery. Two suspects have been arrested