The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-09-08
BULLET PROOF CARS.
A scheme That VIII Put n stop To the
Holding Up of Trains.

Holding Up Of Trains.
+. McLane of Galena, Kan, has in
vented n bullet proof express car, which
he claims will put an end TO train robbery.
Mr.. McLane is not crank or fakir.
On the contrary, he is an earnest business
man who thinks he has a good thing. He
has issued the following circular:
My bullet proof structure for express
cars is located on the platform of the car
at the front end next To the engine, so as
10 protect the engineer and fireman in
case Of an attack. There are also port
holes ranging back and forward outside of
the cars that command the entire length
Of the train on both sides as well as the
inside of the car.
After sixteen years Of study aud labor
am able 10 furnish device that will fur
nish absolute protection Ia the train men
and property intrusted to them.
My specifications are as follows: The
invention relates 10 the improvements in
ports or similar structures designed to be
used on express or other cars as a refuge
foi the person in charge of the cars and
contents against train robbers, aud from
which he can successfully defend himself
without risk or liability OF being injured
by the robbers revolver. The frequency
of train robberies aud the injuries and in
! dignities suffered by express managers
and train men in defending the property
| intrusted 10 their care render IL essential
and necessary that some means should
be provided or a refuge constructed In
which the agent, messenger or other per
son in charge could find shelter in time
Of attack, and from which he could resist
the onslaughts Of the robbers~ The OBJ
| ject OF the Invention is 20 provide fort
or structure of bullet proof material, pro-
vided with suitable port holes. and so
constructed, located Nnd arranged on the
car that in times OF attack the person in
charge can fasten himself securely
therein, so that he cannot he reached or
dislodged by ordinary means, and from
| his place OF safety can direct "A lire upon
the robbers through the port holes with
out any danger OF being injured In return.
The base Of the fort or structure con-
sists Of four sides, forming n square
housing or Enclosure, and provided with n
door opening outwardly or into the inter
ior Of the car. The edges of the door are
beyeled or rabbetted SO as To prevent its
being forced inwardly, the door frame be-
ing gcoirespondingly beveled or rabbetted, ,
o receive the door, and is provided with
suitable locks or bolts or other fastening
devices. The structure is made OF sheet
metal (preferrably steel so as To be bullet
proof, and all joints are protected by an
gle iron secured 10y means OF rivets. Al
the top the base portion flares outwarily,
forming an octagonal or eight-sided bev'
elled or inclined wall lin which are port
holes So that robbers cannot get out oi
range by getting too closel To which i
secured an upwardly projecting portion
the wall Of which is OF the same mater
ial as the base, the joints being protecte,
by angle iron as in the base portion.
The port holes are provided with hinge,
doors projecting ouiwardly and lack |
little of coming together, leaving a small
space Ia see through. tkiShe doors ara hal
closed by means Of springs secured there
! TO and To the wall. The fort may be 10
Gated inside the car with the projecting
portion extending through the sides o
the car in order 10 get the front and rea
port holes outside 10 command front an,
rear Of both sides Of the train, and por
holes are provided 10 command the ia
terror and platform Of the car so that tn
occupant from his secure location cal
direct fire in any direction and he cal
prevent the robbers from getting away
once in reach, thus saving the propert
J and getting the robbers into the bargain