New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-05
BOLD ATTACK ON A TRAIN,
TWO HIGHWAYAIEN BEATEN OFF AFTER A
BRISK FIGHT.
AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE ON. A CALIFORNIA
TRAIN-A BATTLE BETWEEN THE TRAINMEN,
TWO DETECTIVES AND THE ROBBERS
Two ARREsTs MADE.

@'O DA1iENIlNho AND IHl4 hODDLsho
TWO ARRESTS MADE.
San Francisco, Sept 4.-The Los Angeles eX-
press was held up by two masked men a few miles
south of Modesto at as last night The rob.
hers boarded the train at Ceres and compelled
Nef the engineer, and Wallace. the fireman, to
eXtinguish the headlight and fill the boiler with
water. They then made them get down and go
to the express car and ordered it opened. Roche,
the conductor, and Fox, the brakeman were in
the front cay, and they ct once went out on the
platform and looked out Of the cast side Of the
car. At sight Of the conductors lantern one of
the robbers called out for them to go back, firing
a shot at them. The conductor set his lantern
back and fired two shots at the robbers. The
conductor at once went back into the car and
sought Detective Lon Harris OF Los Angeles, and
Detective Lawson, who happened to be on the
train. Harris got out Of the car on the west
side and walked toward the robbers. who had
gon over TO that side of the express car. When
about two car-lengths from the express car, Harris
opened fire with revolver, sending two shots in
their direction. The robbers returned the fire,
firing three shots, all of which took effect, hitting
Harris in the neck and over the left eye.
Meanwhile the robbers were compelling En-
gineer Nef to hold u torch, while Fireman
Wallace worked at the door. They called
several times to tie express messen-
GER and his assistant, Charles, to open the
door and come out, asserting that they would
not hurt them, but the men refused to open the
door. A bomb was exploded against the door,
shatterlng the beams and making an opening
large enough for them to enter through, but the
shooting by Harris and also shots fired during
the afray by Fox, the brakeman, evidently scared
them of, as they left the place without securing
aiTS treasure. Harris was taken TO Merced.
As soon as news of the attempted robbery
reached Merced special train started for the
scene, bearing officers and posse Of sixty men,
who are now in pursuit. Officers have also
started from Tulare, Modesto and Latlrop
The engineer, in his report to Superintendent
Fillmore, says that at Ceres two masked men
crawled over the tender into the engine, and,
covering himself and fireman with guns, ordered
him 10 pull out as fast as possible. The engineer
obeyed, and after going a short distance halted
the train at the command Of the robbers The
engineer and fireman were then made to take coal
picks and 90 back to the express car, which they
were ordered to break open The express messen-
ger and Detective Harris, who was on the train,
resisted. After firing a. number of shots and eX-
ploding bomb under the car without avail, the
robbers ordered the engineer and fireman to walk
I'D the road. The bandits then disappeared in the
darkness Detective Harris was badly hurt by
shot from the robbers. After an hours delay
the train went on to Merccd for doctor Super
intendent Fillmore says the robbers are probably
members of the same gang that held up the train
near Goshen a year ago.
Merced, Cal Sept. 4-The two men suspected
of being implicated in the attempted robbery OF
the south-bound train last night were arrested mt
Ceres early this morning and taken to Modesto.
One of the men was riding on the blind end of the
baggagecar at the time the train was held up, but
claims to know nothing of the robbery. Inc
Aerced officials guarded the bridge over the Merced
River during the night but as the river Is low II
could be forded on horseback at any point. Inc
general opinion is that the robbers have made for
thc mountains east Of Merced, in which case their
capture is doubtful. Physicians who attended
Detective Harris here say his wound Is not serious
The robbers had three dynamite bombs with
them and one of these was pushed through holc
in the express ear made by the first bomb, but an
not explode.
The Southern Pacific Company, in conjunction
with Wells Fargo Il Co., have offered reward
Of 81 900 for the arrest and conviction OF each
of the men concerned in the attempt 10 rob the
train Colonel Lon Harris, the detective who
was shot is worse, and the physicians are now
doubtful as to his recovery.