Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-07
Larking WednesdaysassIn seisns
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READY FOR TRIAL.
Confession of One of the Cotton Felt Train
Robbers-Approaehing Trial of the AL
legged Participants in the Crime.
Special to the Gazette,

| Special to the Gazette.
TExARKANA, TEX. Oct. 6.-The writ
ten statement of John Brawley, self
| confessed actor in the notorious Cotton
Belt train robbery, which was committed
almost in the suburbs of this city on the
9th of June last, brings freshly to the
memory the incidents of that bloody
affair. A full account was given at the
time, and the particulars were published
far and wide as being one of the most
cold bIooded and heartless robberies of
the age. On the evening proceeding the
robbery several large packages of silver
were shipped by the Southern express
agency at this place on the north bound
Cotton Belt train. The south bound
train on the same road started at the
same hour and was supposed to carry the
money i'll question. The plan of the
robbery was qui :kly carried into effect.
A switch way was misplaced which
wrecked the train and almost demol-
ished 1t. tramp who was stealing a
ride was killed outright, and several
passengers injured. Two of the raiders
then went through the express car and
got several money packages, amounting
in all to only q few hundred dollars.
Disappointed at the meager amount of
spoils they shot several times at the eX-
press agent, as they thought fatally
wounding him. In the confusion that
followed the robbers, who were armed
with Winchester rifles and revolvers,
opened fire on each other, and one of
their number Jim Ratliff) was NOR
tally wounded, but survived several
days. The robbery was committed at
ing the whole county was aroused. John
A. Williams, well-known detective and
ex-policemen and Napolian Mcdaniel
also an ex-police, DO b of the city, were
arrested and placed in Jail on suspicion.
Subsequently jim Ratlif and John
Brawley were arrested. Ratliff in his
dying moments made admissions which
induced the officers to believe that they
had the right men, and after he was
dead his wIle gave the whole thing
away; almost conclusively establishing
the guilt of the accused party. The three
survivors were denied bail and sent to
the GAINESVILLE Jail for safe keeping.
They were brought here several days ago
for trial before the district court now in
session. 1t is said that overtures
have been made by several
of the accused towards q confession,
but no terms were offered
by the state g representatives. Brawley's
confessions covers more than a dozen
pages, type written, and has been signed
by him before the proper officers. He
professed his willingness to testify the
facts at the coming trial. He admits his
own guilt and confirms the evidence
heretofore adduced establishing the guilt
of the others above named. He insists
that he and Ratliff were unwilling aiders
insthe crime. He was taken out to the
scene of the robbery by Sheriff Edwards
and Detectives Bynes, and gave all the
details. His descriptions were blood
curdling. He pointed out the spot where
the express packages and their arms
were hidden, after the robbery, but they
had been removed. 1t is said that his
associates in crime know nothing of his
confession as he has been placed in
separate cell. Williams is unmarried
and has ample means to employ counsel.
Mcdaniel has family and some prop
erty. Brawlsy is unmarried. Ee came
here from western Texas some time ago
and is respectfully connected. He was
at one time sheriff of Ellis county, Texas.
He admitted his inability to employ
lawyer and the court assigned him coun-
sell. The trial will commence here to-
morrow morning. williams name comes
first Eon the calender. The grand jury
returned five indictments against each of
the accused. The trial will be exceed
ingiy interesting and sensational, and
will be reported to THE GAZETTE as it
Drooeeds