The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-06-16
DARING ATTEMPT
70 Rob a Train on tho Big -Four
Near Cincinnati.
Passengers Saved From Depredations by
the Bravery OF the Crew-iBaggage-
Master Ketcham Fatally Wounds
ed--Thriiiing Hand-to-Band
Encounter in the Dark
Tho Robbers Get
Nothing.

CINCINNATI, June 9.-There was an at
tempt last night to rob train at Delhi, in
the style prevalent in Texas, "down by
the Rio Grande" Tho boldness of the as
sault Is exceeded only by the heroism Of
the defense by unarmed train hands. 1t
was bungling attempt and incomprehen-
sible, In the light of present information,
on any other ground than that the brig
ands wero neophytes at the business OF
plunder and murder-for the train, an ac-
commodation on the big four from In
dianapolis, due here at 10:4O, is ''poor
train" from booty standpoint. True, there
was an express safe Of whose contents the
robbers might have been better informed
than is known at present writing, and
some forty passengers of the better class,
whose watches and valuables would have
undoubtedly been taken IL it had not been
for the splendid resistance made but in
an attempt involving mui der in the intent
as shown, and hanging, il caught, experts
would it seems likely have played for
what thieves know as q Big Trick. The
train left Indianapolis at 6 p M, and is due
here at 10 40. 1t was in charge of Conduc-
tor William I.effler, with Jim Boyd at the
thr ottle, Henry Fisher at he fires, John
Sickle, brakeman; Joe Ke cham, baggage
master; Henry j. Zimmerman, messenger
of the American Express Co., and, as
said, about forty passengers. There was
no incident to excite suspicion until the
train was pulling out of Delhi, when Zim-
norman said: "Joe, there is somebody at
the front end of the car" Ketcham look
ed up and saw through the glass end Of
the car, which is q combination express
and baggage car, four faces-or rather
four pair of eyes looking through black
Mosques. The intruders at once began
firing through the glass, af-
forwards entering. Ketcham seiz-
ed his lamp and resisted desperately, but
was soon shot down-one wound being in
the back of the neck and two near the left
groin. Zimmerman escaped without in
jury. He had at first started forward
with Joe Ketcham to eject supposed
tramps, but the robbers opening fire, and
discharging at least fifteen shots, he at
tempted to pull his revolver. 1t caught in
his pocket and he retreated to the rear OF
the car, where he met the conductor enter
ing. Captain Leffller, who had heard the
shots from the smoker, where he was sit-
ting, at once pulled the bell-cord to stop
the train. At that moment, however, the
engineer, his only weapon ''monkey
wrench" and his fireman were engaged
in a hand-to-hand struggle with three rob-
bers. One Of these had jumped upon the
engine, gun in hand, as the train moved
out, and two climbed to his aid over the coal
box, when they found the stuff that Boyd
and Fisher were made OF and that their pal
was getting the worst Of the fight. They
were either thrown or jumped from the
engine as it neared Trautman's. The pas
sengers were by this timc in a terrible state
of excitement but all of the robbers
seemed to have made good their escape to
the woods and the train came to this city.
The police were notified and large posse
has been sent in pursuit of the robbers.
Ketcham's wounds are thought to be fatal.
The audacity of the thing is more astound-
ing, as later information shows, that the
whole "run" from an express standpoint
was not worth $1,000, including the rail-
ways money, which was in checks.