The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-04-03

man, the lineman, would object, so ! set
it up on one side of the big, empty freight
room.
The autumn was now well advanced
and found that my duties, instead Of,
inertasiag grew lighter. There were a
few freight trains every other day, and
the daily mail and express east and west
went through between the hours of one
and four in the morning, so that had a
grea. deal oftime on my hands. spent
much of it shooting chickens with Char
ley--he was an excellent shot from the
saddle, though he told me he had had a
time oft training his pony to stand fire
land the rest Of the time I either read
or road out over the trails in the delicious
Inlian summer weather.
One night, about the middle Of October
We had terrific thunder and wind storm
with binding fall of rain and hail. 1t
came up after the west-bound train had
left, and about an hour before the eastern
train was due. | was awakened by the
noise, and got up TO look out. The rain
was falling in torrents and the wind
shook the building, while the lightning
flashed incessantly.
Was still looking out, watching the
furious storm, when an unusually bright
flash revealed for an instant the figures
of a group Of horsemen Looping across the
prairie toward the station. stood still
to catch another glimpse Of them, if pos
sible, but without success, as they had
probably turned TO the left.
shortly afterward heard tncn at the
other end Of the building, where they
stopped, | supposed, TO seek shelter from
the storm OF possibly they were going
to take the train. 1t was not unusual for
passengers to come around an hour be-
fore train time, so thought little of it at
the time.
However, before left the window !
heard them tramping around the plat
form to the door, and drawing back to
one side, waited 10 see them pass. Be
tween trains always kept a lamp burn
ing, but turned down low. and it shone
out now through the window and as
the men stepped into the faint bar of
light, l got quite a distinct view of
them.
They were all heavily built. Each one
wore a yellow "slicker" coat, and had
his slouch hat pulled down close 10 keep
of the rain, and around each ones face,
just below the eyes, was tied red har-
vestersn handkerchief This struck me
as unusual, and was puzzled for mo-
ment until it occurred to me that per-
haps they were worn as protection
against the hail.
A moment later they were pounding
at the door for admittance. Now, as a
rule, did not like TO admit any one so
long before train time. sometimes had
express money packages on hand, with
no safe TO put them in. l once carried
package of three thousand dollars in my
pocket three days before the owner call
ed for II. was somewhat apprehensive
at times for my safety.
That night, however, had only few
dollars Of my own and an almost empty
mail pouch, but before opening the door,
l sang out who's there, and what do
you want?"
Passengers for the train" came the
answer. Were all wet, an wanter get
in out o the rain"
unlocked the door, and they crowded
into the room. In the brighter light in
doors the handkerchiefs that concealed
their faces looked 50 much like an at
tempt at disguise-and pretty good one
at that-that for momentI was startled
and made hasty step toward the ticket
office. Before could take another, how
ever, one of the men struck me with his
fist, and though the blow was not hard
one, it was so unexpected that it knock,
ed me completely off my feet Then two
Of them seized me while | was down
turned me on my face and held me while
the others bound my hands firmly be-
hind me. They next bound my feet,
and then rolled me over again on my
back
Now, my chicken said one, who
to be the leader, we amt got
nothin' agin you, an won't hurt you so
long as you keep quiet; bat sure as you
yell or make a noise, there1l be some
shootin'.
They seemed t. be familiar with the
Office and its Surroundings, and proba-
bly, had been there before. Two Of them
picked me up and carried me toward the
freight room, while another went ahead
with the lamp and opened the door. Here
they looked around for a moment, then
laid me down against the side of the
building, with an old coat under my head
for pillow, and bidding me keep mum
TO the waiting-room.
Thus left alone in the dark began to
think, and pretty fast, too, for l was thor
oughly excited.
Their scheme was evident enough-to
wsylay the train there and rob the ex-
press and mail cars. The express mes
senger always had money in his safe on
the east run, and not infrequently gold
bullion from the mines further west, so
in case they were successful they would
secure large sum. There had been sew
eral like attempts throughout the coun-
try lately, and felt sure this was their
object.
By taking the trainmen by surprise
they might overpower them, then seps-
rating the mail and express ears from the
rest of the train, run them mile or two
further east with the engine and plunder
them at their leisure. This plan had been
successfully carried ont on another road
a short time before, and there was no rea-
son why it should not be again success
in some manner Ipreyented
it.
Itried 10 loosen my hands, but they
were tied too seeurely-so tightly that
the cords almost cut the hesh. Then
that even if were loose Ishould
be unable to get out and flag the train,
for both freight doors were padlocked
and the key was in the ticket Office
drawer.
About this time the door leading to the
was opened. and one Of the