The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-10-22
An OUTLAWS DEATH.
Rube Burrows, the Notorious
Train Robber, Killed.
A Career of Unparalleled Au-
daoity Closed

Rule Burrows the notorious outlaw and
train robber, who was captured in Marengo
County, Alabama, recently, was killed by one
If the men who were guarding him at Lin
den. He was captured by John McDufhe, j.
:. Carter, and two colored men. a special
from Demopolis, Ala, gives the following de-
tails Of the killing:
Burrows was placed in the Sherif's Office
and was guarded by McDuftie and 2 col
bred man. The other colored cspturer
and Carter were at the hotel with $40
of Burrows's money. At o'clock that
morning Burrows complained Of hunger,
and upon one Of the guards replying
that they had nothing Burrows asked for
his saddle bags, saying he had crackers IN
Them. On McDuffle handing him the saddle
bags Burrows drew out two pistols, and,
covering the colored man and McDufhe,
forced them to take off the handcuhs and
unite him. Then he disarmed McDufie and
the colored guard and asked for ms mon money: y
locked McDuffie up and forced the colored
man to guide him to the hotel.
When he reached the house Burrows de-
manded his money at the point OF his re-
yolyer. Carter sprang to ono SIDE, anu,
drawing O pistol, fired at Burrows. The out
law fired at the same instant. Carter's sud
den movement probably saved his life. As
it was he received bullet Up his shouioer, ana
was badly wounded, but will recover. bis
bullet struck Burrows In tne pooy, anu 'ne
noted outlaw fell dead.
The affair created the widest excitement.
Superintendeats Age and Fisher. OF the
Southern Express Company, Montgomery,
left FOR the scene. A telegram was received
from Superintendent Fisher, In which ne
saws the BODY Of the outlaw will be shipped
to Birniugham. All doubt as to the identlty
of Burrows has been removed. He did not
ieny his identity, and his remarkable nerve
and courage we're manifest.
After the inquest the body Of BarroWs was
turned over to the officers or the express
company, and they DECIDED TO aabsma ssIa 70 for S
burial. 1t will be delivered to the aged
father Of the outlaw. a.,
Burrows was born in Lamar County, Ala,
in 1855. where bis father, Allen Burrows
still lives. The elder Burrows wanted his
con tn stndy for the bar. When Rube left
the district school his father broached the
s,,hiect- hut the son did not fall in with the
project readily. Shortly after he Went 70
Texas, where he subsequently marrlea , ono ~
settled down on small farm. In 1850 his
wife died, and soon after ne launcnso on us
career as an outlaw.
He and his band began by an attempt to
roh an Indian woman. But the woman
onened such lively fire upon Burrows's
narty that they retreated. On the way back
they met train, and after shooting few
times at the conductor they robbed tho pas
senoers of $500. A few days later BuTrowss
gnnS robbd a train on the Texas Pacific
Road and got fairly good sum from tne eA-
press car. A,,.a,-
sas, and in December, 1887, robbed traln
near Texarkana, getting o large sum
They then went back to the ola nolne, 3n.
stead ia aAhana t. enjoy short rest. ONE
Jov thew went to Montgomery to attend
a circus. The train officers attempted
In orrest them. The brother was captured
hut Rube escaped. Afterward he roeRsd
the Illinois Central train at Duck Hill, get
tir-, nearly $4,000. he was assisted this
time by Joseph jackson. In July last JacS-
son was captured and is now In the MlsSisslp-
pi Penitentiary.
july, 1889, q package containg a white
mark arrived at the Post Office In Jewell Ala,
addressed "Cain" Burrows called for th(
package soon after. and asked PostEastei
Gray II he had seen its contents. gray
said yes, upon which Burrows shol
him and then attempted to shoot
Mrs Gray and her sister. Thi;
murder aroused the entire State. A posse
started on Burrows's trail, and surrounde:
the houses of jim Cash, Allen Burrows
Rube's father, and John Thomas Bur
rows, his brother. They arrested all three
men without resistance. a half dozer
detectives caught the flfteel-y ear-old son o.
John Thomas Burrows, put rope arounc
his neck, threw it over tho limb Of tree anG
threatened to hang him il he did not tell a.
he knew about Rube's whereabouts, his rob
berries etc. The boy was badly frightened
and told of overhearing tho plans OF the Ducs
, Hill train robbery and Of hearing his Uncle
Rube say he would kill Postmaster Gray.
Rube Burrows's last train robbery wa
| committed on the night of September 70
1889. With jackson he robbed the south
bound express train on the Mobile and Ohle
road Just south of Buckatana, getting Sll ,0U-
from the express company and Large
amount of registered mail. A reward ol
$500 was then offered for his capture, deac
or alive.
Altogether Burrows robbie nine trains II
three States, has killed several and wounded
many men with his Winchester, and whlppec
100 armed men in open fight. Unlike mos
train robbers, Burrows usually worked WIZ
only one confederate, Jackson. Indeed, h'
often said contemptuously: "lts as easy t!
hold up and 80 through train as it is to roi
| hens nest"
|