Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-10-03
DARING VILLAINS.
Two Masked Robbers Do a
"Card" Job.
THE ROAD AGENT ABROAD IN OHIO

Cool Piece of Business by Which the
Adams Express Company Loses About
SI.OOO-The ScoundreIs Also go
Through the Express Messenger and
Rob Him of His Salary AID Watch
Murder Averted by bad Cartridge
miscellaneous Wickcdness.
TIFFIN, O., Oct. 3-One of the most dar-
ing express rObberes in the history of
this section was committed on the Gin
cinnati, Sandusky and Cleveland railway
yesterday morning, and by two as bold
villains As ever donned q mask or graspad
a gun. Train No. , LETT Urbana at $50
o'clock yesterday morning, on time, with
Arch Il Scudder, of Newport, Ky, in
charge Of the Adams express car. The
train had barely started and Messenger
Scudder settled down to his routine duties
when the door of his car was opened aud
he was confronted by two masked men,
each with n revolver in either hand.
scu oder Couldn't Get His Gun.
The messengers pistol was in the other
end of the car and resistance was worse
than useless While one of the men kent
Scudder under cover the other went
through his pockets, taking his watch.
money, and keys. The messenger was
then securely bound with strong
clothes line, which one of the robbers had
in his possession, evidently for that pur-
pose. The Wilkins dropped the key to
the safe, and not being able TO get at the
treasure they threatened to kill Scudder
IL he did not open the strong box. A
pistol was thrust against his temple.
but it failed to discharge, thus saving his
life.
Got What They Came for.
The other robber put in plea for the
messengers life and as the missing KEY
was soon found on the floor the robbers
quickly possessed them selves of the con-
tents OF the safe, supposed to have been
about 81 GOO, belonging to the company,
and S15 belonging to the agent. who had
received his months salary Wednesday
night. Hurriedly then the villains left
the car, and a. the train approached West
Liberty they disappeared.
The Train Captured Again.
When the train started, the robbers
again got On board, and held the entire
train crew at bay until they reached Belle
fontBine, where they jumped off and ran
for the woods The alarm was at once
given and in a short time posse was or
gained at Bellefontaine and started in
pursuit of the thieves. The men are de
scribed as being both about five feet ten
inches in height. They were both heavy
men, and wore dark overcoats. Superin-
teudent Bmple says the loss TO the com.
pany is not over $500.
How They Boarded the Train.
Agent Sehfnness, of this city, estimates
the loss at not less than 81, 900. as il is
known that large sums are sent TO fish
merchants in Sandusky on the morning
train. and it may be n great deal more.
The robbers boarded the train between
the engine and baggage car and forced a
noise of the train prevented them from
being heard. WSliam Milliner, of Ur-
bana, saw the men alight from tt '.oi,
and got a good look at one of - -
had dropped his mask ar 70 abIa -. crf,o
~ood description
Il -rnt Tied Up with Rope,
The robbery was first discovered by Or
RE Knight, a local newsbOy. who went
to the train for his papers and heard the
messengers call for help. Scudder was
found lying on his stomach wound up
with rope from head to heels. He was so
exhausted aud excited when he was re-
leased that he could hardly give an intel
ltgible account OF the affair. The rail
road and local officials have sent out sew
eral parties 10 scour the country and city,
and the bold highwaymen can hardly es-
cape arrest.