The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-05
A FRUITLESS CHASE.
The California Express Robbers
Likely to Escape.
DETAILS OF THE CRIME.
The Wounded Oficial May Die-Some
Think the ScOundrels Were Harvest
Hands Tired of Working.

MERGED, Cal. Sept 4-Last nights train rob-
berry is still the topic of conversation. The
scene of the robbery visited by an Asso-
ciated Press correspondent last night. He found
dirt torn up where one OF the bombs exploded,
and pieces of wood from the express car were
scattered around. The hole blown in the car
door was big enough Tor a man to crawl through
and the iron step was blown clean of.
At least fifty men, with shotguns and rifles,
are in pursuit of the robbers, but as the gang,
thought now TO have numbered seven, separated
Immediately after the attempt, part start
ing north and the balance south. it
will be hard matter to detect
them. Detective Lawson, who was in the
fight, heard two gangs talking. Three tramps
who were beating their way were arrested and
will be held witnesses. One of them, who
gave his name as J. l. Race, said he could iden-
tify one of the robbers if he saw him. He
described him as a tall, light com plexoned,
broad-shouldered man. IS or 40 years of age.
One theory advanced By some is that the villains
were harvest hands working near Modesto, who
conceived the plan to rob the train as being an
easier way to make money than working six
teen hours day in the harvest field.
Sheriff Cunningham, of san Joaquin, and
posse got on the trail of two horsemen this
morning near the scene of last nights attempted
train robbery, and are following. The trail leads
in a southwesterly direction, toward Crows
landing, Stanislaus county. large party are in
pursuit. Constable Parker, of TurIock, arrested
a man found on the "blind baggage" and is
holding him. He claims to be tramp stealing
ride, and denies all knowledge of the robbery.
The special conveying Detective Len Harris
from MERGED to his home at Alameda passed
here today.
Much excitement prevails here over the train
robbery. A large number of MERGED people have
joined in the pursuit of the robbers. All are
armed with revolvers and Winchester rifles
Officers from hero feel confident of capturing
them, though they have no clew yet. Two men
were arrested at Ceres at O'Clock this morning
and taken to Modesto One was riding the
"blind baggage" at the time the train was held
up, but claims he knows nothing about the
robbery. Some MERGED officers who went to the
scene last night came back about midnight as
far as MERGED river and guarded the bridge dur
ing the night. The river is very low and can be
crossed at almost any point on horseback The
general opinion is that the robbers made direct
for the mountains If that be true they will be
hard to find.
SAN Francisco, Sept. 4-Len Harris, the
wounded detective, arrived at Oakland at
p. m. and was removed to his home at Alameda,
where he is attended by corps of physicians
The bullet which entered his neck cannot be
found and is believed to have passed into his
shoulder. His condition has changed for the
worse during his removal from MERGED TO Ala
media, and the physicians are doubtful Of his
recovery.
Nothing has yet been heard from the pursuing
parties. The robbers had only three bombs,
one OF which was pushed inside the express car
through the hole made by the first bomb but
fortunately did not explode. The pursuers are
said to be close on the track of the robbers
Wells, Fargo Co. join the Southern Pacific
company in offering reward OF $500 for the
arrest and conviction of each OF the men con-
eerned in the attack on the express.
LATHRoF, Cal, sept A train bearing Detec-
tive Len Harris passed through here today
Harris is shot in the eide of the neck, and is
suffering much pain. His right arm is badly
affected, but the wound is thought not fatal
He says:
When the train was being held up by the rob-
bers az the express car, jumped from the tram,
crossing over fence and making circle 70
where ths robbers were standing, opened fire on
them, shooting five or six TIMES. While shoot
ing | was shot down. The robbers located me
By the fash OF pistol. Before leaving the train
me, but none would volunteer / went alone
and located the robbers, bnt having only
pistol ! was az q disadvantage If had been
armed with shotgun, could have dropped q
robber sure While | was shooting the robbers
cIrcled me, finally locating from the fash Of
my pistol and dropping me. / could do no
more Then the robbers deeamped I think
there were only TWO of them.
Doctors WOilseu and Maybriek and Harris
daughter met him west OF here. Every attention
Is being rendered the wounded man
SAN ASToSIo, Tex, Sept. 4-The amount
taken by the men who robbed the Southern Pa
cifc express train al samues is said to be about
sIo,Oo, instead OF the small sum at first reported.