The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-11

Readers Of THE APPEAL will have no
difficulty in recalling the train robbery
episode on the Illinois Central Railroad,
near Duck Hill, Miss, few months ago.
To assist them in reaching tho particu
lar case referred to, il may BIO thrown in that
Chester Hughes, amanly young mechanic,
Of Jackson, Tenn, was killed in the fight,
that formed thrilling feature OF the
affair."
Tho theory was advanced at the time,
and has been adhered to ever since as the
correct one, that the prince Of train rob.
hers, the great and only Bunch, was at the
head OF the attacking party Some OF the
best detective skill available to the South
ern Express Company, also the railroad
company, was set to work at once, with
the incentive OF liberal reward, TO
capture theg gang. Still, reward and every
thing else. including luck, have thus Tar
failed. Bunch, II 1t were him, or, II not
whoever II WIS, WIS never run to cover.
and both the companies in positive inter
est have about dcspaired OF soon removing
their besctting angels OF darkness.
An opportunity was presented few
| days since that may not come again Tor
| years, If ever, II credible report be well
/ founded. Mai. Kemp, superintendent oil
the Mississippi aud tennessee division OF
| the Illinois Central, related II toan APPEAL
reporter yesterday. Tho Major was at
New Orleans u few days ago. Among the
other officials Of the company, whom he
saw, was the paymaster for the southern
division Of the line. Tho Memphis official
was not broke" nor did he anticipate any
breaking away from the usual payday be-
cause OF financial embarrassmonts OF the
company, but II was natural that the con-
vefsation should take n turn upon some
thing that the paymaser was at home on.
For that reason, and none other. the
Major raised the mention Of tho pay car
and when 1t went out.
ut hasn't gone ont yet" answered the
official in charge, Bunch islaying for ny. |"
"Bunch2 The deucr!" calculated Maj.
Kemp, feeling around Tor his gun and in
wardly wondering II no should return to
Memphis 10y river or rail-
Tho story was then given him. A
workman in tho McComb City shops. out
ia stretch OF woods near the city for u
little rcstand recreation, espied the famous
train robber hiding out with a companion.
The workman knew the leader very well,
and il positive OF his find. Without be-
traying any emotion, or giving away his
secret by act or word, the workman made
IL convenient TO return To headquarters ~
soon ~ possible. The alarm was flushed
TO New Orleans, aud a search party went
out after the fellows. No booty ia the
shape Of living or dead prisoners they
had skipped. liut the pay train WAS hcid
back few days. aud those expecting
wealth thercirom wer informed OF the
reason therefor.
There's where you lost an opporiu-
nifty" remarked Mai Kemp to the pay.
master. In my judgment YOU should
have sent the pay truin out. minus the
cash. but with set Of reso.uto aud well
equipped men, who would have made
minco meat OF the would-bc robbers"
IL Is risking nothing to state that the
Illinois Central Railroad and Southern Tx
pass Companies viii have Bunch and hi,
conlcdcaies or raise cloudsoi sind In the
effort.