The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-18
A DARING ROBBERY.

Secured
KANSAS CRY, Aug. 1.-THE Pacific Ex-
press company lost $4,000 by train rob-
berry on the Missouri Pacific railway early
this morning. It was the Kansas limited
that fell into the hands of the bandits.
The train was crowded with passengers and
the safe of the express company was stuffed
with money, much of it consigned to west
ern banks. When the train left Upton,
Mo-, about 3a. m. two mysterious men were
seen by the engineer running around the
forward end of the train, but no particular
attention was paid to them. just after
leaving Upton the fireman turned toward
the tender to fire up and looked squarely
into the muzzles of two revolvers
They had evidently boarded the forw ard
part of the mail car at Upton and were
crawling over the tender toward the engi-
neer. One of the men covered the fireman
with his revolver while the other took care
of the engineer. They were told to hold
up up their .tian hands. Nov yoI run the train to
leader, 'and stop there. If you attempt to
stop at any other place or give the signal
of alarm you will be dead man." and the
robbers placed their weapons close to the
heads of their victims. The engineer and
fireman were at their mercy and could only
obey. Otterville water tank stands in
was there that the noted outlaws, the James
boys, committed one of their most daring
robberies and the Younger brothers perpe-
trated one of their boldest crimes. When
Roberts cut was reached the engineer
vE staRpea the the t5ad sadr ddssssa HSr me
engineer, and "tend to the fireman."
he said to his companion. The engineer
was commanded to go to the express car
and tell the messenger to open the door.
When he eTeached the express car he found
the two robbers had five oonfederates
car. all heavily armed, and the faces con-
cealed behind masks.
He walked to the door of the express car,
and, covered" by the revolvers of three
robbers, called to Express Messenger Sam
Avery to open the door. Avery, suspecting
no danger, pushed back the door. As he
did 80. the leader of the robbers and his
confederate pushed their revolvers in and
ordered the messenger to hold up his hands.
The order was promptly obeyed, and the
three robbers jumped into the car. They
proceeded Immediately to the safe, which
was looked. Avery was commanded to open
it at the point of revolver, and did so.
sack and into it we're placed the entire con-
tents of the safe. In the meantime the con-
duct0r alarmed at the unusual stopping of
the train, went forward to see what was the
trouble. He got only as far as the rear end
OF the express car, when he was halted by
ono of the robbers, who told him to 90 back
and collect the tickets. The conductor
hurried back to the first passenger car and
excitedly informed the passengers what was
going on and advised them to hide their
yaluabies. money. watches and jewelry.
Everything valuable was showed into boot
tops. into cracks, cushioned seats and
anywhere to get it out of sight, The con-
ductor had just warned the passengers in
the second car when the train started again,
The robbers had finished their work and
escaped. The engineer pulled the train in
TO Otteryille, whore part were left to arouse
the sheriff and organize posse to pursue
the robbers. The robbers had left their
tracks in the mud and these were followed
for some distance east and finally lost, The
sheri6's posse and detectives are occurring
the country for the robbers, and consider
ing the short start. hope to capture some Of
them at least.
The exact amount Of money and val
uables stolen cannot be learned. The
agent of the express company here
will say absolutely nothing about the
occurrence except to give the story of the
robbery. From other sources it vas
learned besides money in the safe there
vas other valuable property valued at
about $4,000.