The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-12-28
AFRO. Ill. Dec. 18th

ern express car on train No. 9, due here at &c
| o'clock Sunday morning, fell victim to
the breezy train robber at o'clock Sunday
night when two miles north Of Duck Hill, on
the Illinois Central. twelve miles south of
Grenada, Miss Express messenger w. H.
Harris, in charge of the car, gives substan.
TALLY the following facts: While the train
was at Duck Hill station two men got aboard
the locomotive unknown to the engineer,
who pulled out of the station Immediately
after. But when he discovered the strang.
ers he at once reversed his lever and
stopped with the intention of putting
them off, saying at the same time
that it was against the rules of
the company for any one to ride upon the
engine. W tn threats and drawn reviewers
the engineer was ordered to proceed and
stop where he was told, which he promptly
did, two miles from the station and near the
same point where distractions have twice
been placed to wreck trans. The men or
dered The train stopped and got Off, taking
the engineer along and making him walk
back to the express-car with them. The sud-
den stoppage excited the curiosity of the ex
press messenger, who had no sooner opened
the side door of his car than he was covered
by huge horse pistol in the hands of one of
the men, the engineer being placed in front
to catch any stray shots which might come
from the car
One of the men jumped into the car and
ordered the messenger to unlock his safe,
which he promptly did. A large leather bag
was then produced and with revolver in
each hand, holding the bag open at the same
time, the robber ordered the messenger to
put the money packages into it. The money
amounted in all to little over 81, 500
While this important business was going on
the conductor of the train, Z. b. Wilkinson
taking in the situation, ran back to the rear
car and asked for volunteers TO fight the
robbers, and met with no response. notwith
Sanding the passengers on board were in
possession OF three Winchester rifles. Run
ming to the car in front, his bid for volun-
teeIs was promptly answered by Charles
Hughes, brother of Train-Dispatcher
Hughes, of Vicksburg himself a conductor
OH furlough and Ell route to his home
ia Jackson, Tenn. He was accompa-
MED by his two sisters The two men, Sc.
curing Winchester rifle EACH sailed forth
to battle with the robbers leaving three cars
more or less occupied by men who feared TO
leave their shelter.
The two nervy men promptly opened fire
upon the robbers, who as promptly returned
the shots with such rapidity as warranted
the belief that the two men on the locomo-
tive had confederates i'm ambush where the
train was stopped, a fact later demonstrated
when the assailants escaped, six men being
counted. Poor Hughes caught his death
wound i'll the melee, a bullet entering the
lower part of the abdomen, ranging up
wards, making its exit a few inches below
the left armpit. The wounded man walked
back TO his car, dying twenty minutes later
in the car seat
One of the robbers as he ran into the tim
Der was seen to fall down several times, war;
ranting the belief that he was wounded
Conductor Wilkinson and his friend Hughes
displayed a commendable degree of nerve,
and will doubtless receive the substantial
recognition of the railroad and express com
panies. The car as viewed here Sunday
bore evidence of hard usage, many bullet
holes being visible in the door and sides.
Harris, in explanation of his opening the car
door, said that the sudden stopping of the
train in such an out If the way place in
duced the belief that an accident had hap
pened, and he opened the door unsuspect-
ingly. Had he not done so it is probable the
robbers would have been defeated, as rapid
firing by the conductor and Hughes would
have driven them away. The men were all
disguised with snail mask, covering their
faces from the eyes down. and none OF them
were Recognized