The St. Johns herald., 1890-08-07
Daring Deed.

of the most daring attempts re- corded since the days of James and Coleman brothers occurred last night about 10 :35 o'clock when four men attempted to hold up the Santa Fe passenger due here at 10 40.
 The train left Starkville on time and was proceeding at usual rate. As bridge 129 was reached which is near the Knights of Labor picnic grounds about three miles from the Santa Fe depot, William E. Riley, the engineer in charge of the train saw some one violently swinging a red lantern across the track and immediately stopped the train. No sooner was the train stopped when he heard several shots and a man immediately boarded the engine holding pistol in his hand. The brave engineer took in the situa- tion at a glance and grasping the throttle pulled it wide open. The highwayman leveled the pistol and shot, the bullet striking the engi- neer in the hand. Another shot and the fireman fell to the floor of the cab having received a bad scalp wound. The daring robber fired twice more and then jumping from the engine disappeared in the dark ness.
 The engineer increased the speed of the train and in a few minutes arrived at the depot.
 A posse was organized immdiate- ly and the company offered the use of train to take all those who de- sired to go to the scene of the at tempted robbery, and endeavor to capture the highwaymen.
 The brakeman was standing on the rear platform of the Pullman when the train stopped. He heard several shots fired, one of the bull lets passing within a few inches of his face. He said that he could see two other men standing near the middle of the train with pistols in their hands.
 Several passengers were looking out of the window when the train stopped but upon hearing the shots they pulled their head in a remark ably quick time disappeared be- meath the seats, concluding they had more business there than else where, Two of the passengers who were standing on the platform when the train stopped said they saw two masked men with pistols in their hands standing near the train.
 Engineer Reilly said that when near bridge 129 he was signalled by some one to stop which he did. As he was stacking up he heard sever al shots and thinking that 1t was one of the brakeman or the messen- ger who was exercising" with his pistol, said, Chit him again." No sooner were the words out of his mouth when he turned and there in front of him stood a masked high holding a pistol in his hand.
 With remarkable presence of mind he grasped the reverse lever, which had been pulled back to stop the train, and pushed it for ward. As the daring robber saw him do this he leveled the pistol at him and shot, the ball striking the lower part of the thumb and the end of the fore finger. Turning to the fireman, as Mir. Reilly supposed, the robber leveled his pistol and | shot him in the head. Several oth- CT shots were fired at them striking the roof of the cab.
 As the train gained speed the rob- Der jumped from the train and dis appeared in the darkness.
 Mir. Reilly thought that it was undoubtedly the intention of the men to rob the train. If he made any effort to move on after one of them boarded the engine he was to