The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-17
TRAIN ROBBERY,
Duck Hill, Miss, Again to the Front
The Express Car Safe Rifled and a
Young Hero Killed.
Lack of Valuable Information
Makes the Loss Of Cash Small.
Chester Hughes, Of jackson. Tenn,
Bravely Makes Fatal Defense.
Vi How Carloads 0f paeeapoa,o De
How Carloads of Passengers Re-
ceived the Conductors Warning.
Men Huddle Behind Seats and
Ladies Take to Fervent Prayer.
The Robbers Believed to Be an Organ.
lied Remnant of the Gang That
Operated in That Vicinity so
outrageously Three or
Four Years Ago.

Northbound passenger train No. 9, on
the Illinois Central Railroad, was held up
about 10 o'clock Saturday night, short
distance north Of Duck Hill, Miss, and
the express car robbed OF between s., 900
and $1,000.
So far as known, there were but two men
in the party, both white.
The train was in charge of p. b. Wilkin-
son, and piloted by Engineer Lawler.
1t passed Duck Hill, Miss, at G45
o'clock pm. The night was dark and
dismal in the extreme. When the train
had reached point about one mile north
OF Duck Hill, and in the midst of dense
swamp, Engineer Lawler and his fireman
perceived two men clambering over the
coal from the back Of the tender. In the
darkness the forms Of the intruders could
be but family outlined.
Little attention was given them at first,
the supposition being that they were
tramps with more than the ordinary stock
OF eifrontery. When the two men had
reached the top Of the coal pile they drew
their pistols, covered the engineer aud
fireman and ordered the train to a stand.
THEY WERE TRAIN ROBBERS.
This peremptory command, strength
ened by cleaning pistol barrels, had the
desired effect Taken by surprise and
--unarmed, the engineer reversed his lever,
shut of the steam, and the train began 10
slow up. The fireman, In obedience 10
command, threw up his hands. The
engineer did likewise after the first orders
10 him had been executed. Then Il was
that they frst vividly realized the fact
that their visitors were train robbers. The
faces OF the attacking parties were con-
ccaled behind handkerchieis, which they
wore as masks.
While one Of the men stood guard over
the engineer and fireman his companion
returned TO the forward express car, the
door OF which was closed. II was in charge
of Messenger Harris, who occupied il
alone. The robber knocked. the door was
opened, when n scene OF confusion cnsucd.
Ii required but command from tho
robber and one glimpse OF his pistol TO in.
duce the messenger TO yield obedience.
The door was then closed and the two men
were alone In the dimly lighted car, which
contained, as the robber supposed, an un.
usually large amount OF cash and other
yaluablcs. by this time the train had
come 10 a standstll. Conductor Wilkin-
son, 10 learn what had occgisioncd the
sudden stop, had jumped from the rear
coach and was hurrying toward the eengine.
Messenger Harris was evidently making
the boldcst effort possible to defend his
charge, for the conductor, on coming along.
side tho car, heard enough OF the confusion
within TO reveal 10 him the situation.
REAL HERO.
lie ran back 10 the second-class passen-
ger coach. jumped upon the platform, in
side the door, and exclaimed:
"lho tnin IN In the hands OF robbers
Won't some Of you come 10 our rclicfY
Although the car was well filed with
~ ssengcrs, most OF whom were negroes,
not n soul moved, except 10 take refuge
behind the seats. Discovering that there
was no hope for succor, the conductor
TIlidly proceeded 10 the next coach, also
well filed, and with white passengers.
10 them he made the same startling dis
closure, and the same soulful appeal for
aid. Among the passengers was n Young
man named Chester Hughes, who occupied
scat with his sister. He alone displayed
the courage 10 respond. There was also
In the coach q man carrying q rifle bu.
manifested no desire or intention 10 use II
In that emergency. Hughes was un.
armed. Seeing the rifle, aud the unwill-
ingness Of IT, owner 10 make Il perform
valuable service, hc approached him and
said:
''Scc here my friend, " you arc not go-
ing 90 uso that gun, let me have it,
To this request the owner urged no OBJ
lection. Conductor Wilkinson had res.
urrcctcd pistol. Thus armed and rcin-
forced by their courage, the two men
marched ont into the darkness aud to-
ward the invaded express car. When
they had come within range, and could
soc the form Of the man guarding the form
OF the engineer aud fireman. they opened
fire upon him. All these wnr-lk prcpafa.
iions on the part Of the b'ayc defenders
had consumed but few moments. These
few moments were, however sufficient Tor
the robbcr In the express car TO complete
his work Of rilling the safe.
Immediately after the firing by Wilkin.
son aud Hughes, he rcioincd his compan.
ion on the front Of the platform, aud
TllE riHE WAS REruRNED.
jus, how many shots werc ffcd alto.
gclhcr Is not known. Tho robbers being
protected by the car. had n decided all
vantage over their asslanis, who stood In
the open and 10 the rear Of the robbers
position. At one Of the shots Conductor
Wilkinson wos hofrihcd 30 hear his com.
panion utter q woan of anguish, and saw
him iall limp and apparently liiclcss TO the
ground. Realizing that Il was wone than
folly 10 fur,horcndangcrh his life IN nm effort
81 resist the robbers lac rcireatcd t0 a rear
car Finding their way clear for escape
The men n'd into the woods. The dark.
nrss served 10 cover .hoir niaht efIcctuallv
There were many willing hands 10 assist
IN the care oi young Hughes when assur.
anccs were given that train robbers wcre
no longer about 90 make life u burden 10
lhcm. lie was tondcrly lifted from the
------L-