Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-17
MISSISSIPPI TRAIN ROBBERS.
Last Of the Rube Burrows Gang Now
In the Penitentiary.

UNSUCCESSFUL ArrrNrr TO rnovr Az AIM
WITNESSES ARRksTrD ron rERJuRY-rHE e =
ATTORNEY AND POSTMASTER AT JACKSON norm
FoRxKR wAsHINoToSIASs
Correspondents Of ruf Fvrxrxa sr.H
JACKSON, Miss, Nov. Il
Yesterday the Jury in the case OF the United
States against Rube Smith, the last Of the Rube
Burrows gang OF train robbers, who has been
on trial since Monday last for robbing the
United States mail car near Buckatunna,
wayne county, Miss, on the morning Of Sep
TENDER Is. 1889, brought in Q verdict OF guilty
as charged" and he viii receive his sentence
today OF Imprisonment for life. He 10 already
undergoing sentence Of ten years for COM
piicity In the robbery at the same time Of the
southern Express car. The robbery was COM
mitted by Rube Burrows, Joe jackson and
huoe smith, who held up Q train on the Mobile
and OHIO railroad at the place and on the date
mentioned. Rube Burrows was afterward cap
tured with large sum OF money in his poe
session and which was held by one OF the
deputy marshals Burrows escaped from iail
and attempted TO regain possession of The
money taken from him. but was killed in the
attempt Joe jackson and Rube Smith we're
hunted down and arrested through the unt,r.
ing vigilance OF Superintendent Agee Of the
States detectives. jackson and smith we're tried
by the state authorities for the express rob-
berry and were respectively sentenced 70 fifteen
and ten years in the penitentiary at this place.
The United States then found indictments
against them for the robbery OF the mail car
and the trial was set for Monday last While
jackson was being taken from his cell on
Monday last he escaped from his guard ana
rapidly ascending the stairway leading 20 the
upper tier OF cells precipitated himself head
hn hrlr .,,,tl Ill, a
nifty feet, crushing IN his skull. and he died in Q
few minutes 1t was deliberate suicide. as he
announced his intention before he leaped al
though the guards endeavored 10 dissuade him
from doing do.
An UNSUCCESSFUL ALIBI ATTEMPT
Smith was brought into court and his coun-
sci, Col Jno. A. Blair Of Tupelo, Miss, made
strenuous efforts to prove an alibi for the pris-
oner. Two uncles and cousin OF the prisoner
swore that On the night preceding and on the
night OF the robbery Rube Smith was at his
home IN Lamar county, Ga, some 800 miles
from the scene Of the robbery. James Barker
his uncle, swore that he slept with him at his
house on each night but the government
proved that Smith was seen in the neiehbor-
hood OF the robbery few hours before il WAS
committed, and other strong circumstantial
evidence was adduced which could not be over
come. Three letters written by the prisoner
10 his father and which were intercepted by
faithful convict were introduced in evidence,
and which sealed his fate. In them he con-
fessed the robbery and asked his father TO send
him three pistols by his Uncle Jim. He wrote
that If he could get them he could escape.
jackson, prior to his death, made q con-
fession in writing TO Superintendent Agee, who
withholds IL from publication, ss he is de-
termined to run down and punish the aides
and abettors OF the gang, who are scattered
throughout the region Of the territory where
the gang operated.
Smith is believed to be the last Of the gang
who were active in the robberies The Buck
atunna affair was his first public exploit, and
thus the career Of q promising train robber
has been nipped in the bud.
Smith. jackson and Burrows were all cou-
sins, and most Of the witnesses for the defense
were relatives. The three relatives who swore
to the attempted alibi were promptly indicted
for perjury, and while the jury we're out on
Smith q case they were arraigned at the bar to
plead Barker (''Uncle Jim" who was TO bring
the pistols to Rube Smith in the penitentiary),
in answer TO the question Are you guilty or
not guilty." answered: Il don't know whether
am guilty or no. 1 suppose am guilty, but I
reckon L am not guilty" The other two
answered Not guilty, the way IL reads"
Their trial will take place at once.
GOOD WORK OF THE Q. g. ATTORNEY.
The prompt action of United States Attorney
Albert NJ Lea, who is well known in Washing
ton, will have the effect OF stamping out this
industry in southern Mississippi Capt Lee
has shown an energy and fearlessness in bring
ing the offenders TO justice that pleases the
good people OF Mississippi His summing up
of the case against smith was a clear, forcibls
argument which swept away the barriers Of the
defense like chaff before the gale. He was g.
sisted in the prosecution by Col j. ii. Neville
Of Leooba, MISS, who It will be remembered
was the state attorney who knocked out sulli-
van and kilrain for prize fighting in this
state.
The Mississippi state fair has been in progress
here during the week and has been largely At
tended. The exhibits and the races are good.
The confederate monument donated by the
state is now IN process Of erection in the capitol
grounds. 1t will be an imposing work Of art
The cotton crop in this neIghborhood 10 Q
large one and has been picked. The surround
ing country is as fertile upland - any in the
state.
The postmaster at this place, Capt ". II.
Gibbs, Is an old Washingtonian, though for
some years resident OF Mississippi He 10
well known in the GAR, being q member Of
John /. Reynolds Post, No. q, OF your city.
The weather has been charming for tive
weeks past, enabling farmers to gather all their
cotton.
There is no political excitement here over
the election. The people seem to think that it
couldn't have been otherwise.
The constitutional convention, which lately
concluded its labors. together with all the
courts being in session. has made things quite
lively for this city, which ordinarily 10 . very
slow town. about fifty wears behind the times