The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-13
EXPRESS CAR BLOWNOPEN
Bold Train Robbery by Masked Men
Not Far Out From Mil
waukee.
After Entrance Was Secured the
Safes Were Thrown on
the Ground.
Double -Barreled Guns Wore Used In Lien
OF Milder Areument--Not Much
Booty Secured.

of Milder Argument--Not Much
Booty Secured.
MILWAUKEE, Nov. 1.-THE midnight train
from Chicago on tho Chicago. Milwaukee q
st. Paul road was robbed by masked men
near the Western Union junction, at one
o'clock this morning. The train had pulled
out of the junction, twenty-thrs miles
south Of this place, about half mile, when
Fireman Edward Averill, who was putting
coal into the furnace, was startled by a
noise behind him. He turned around and
discovered two masked men clamberine
over ths engine tender. Both levsled their
doubls-barreled guns at the fireman and
Engineer Bill Mckay with the in
junction, Don't move an inch
till we tell you to move, or we'll
blow the top of your id head off," En-
gineer Mckay was directed to run about
one mile from the Western Union junction,
and was then commanded to stop, and both
men were ordered to step down out of the
cab. They were marched to the express
car under cover and then the work of blow
ing open the express car began. Several
bombs. the fireman thinks they were. were
thrown into the car and tho explosions
were terrific and must have awakened every
passenger on the train, hut nobody ap-
pearsd on the scene. The robbers we're un-
doubtedly not less than six or seven in num-
Der, Judging by the manner in which they
conducted the operations. The
train men believe they had a
team close at hand. with
which to cart away the safc, which was
taken boldly out of the car. Fireman
Averill's story is the most comprehensive.
"They made me walk ahead of them to the
express car" he sail. land then gave me
jimmy to pry open the boxes. They got the
messengers keys, though he was in no hurry
to give them up, and they will have no
trouble in getting away with all the
money" The train was held for over half
an hour. The entire efforts of the robbers
were centered on the express Car, and not a
passenger was molested. The fireman
thinks there were half dozen men guard
Ing the coaches, however.
The Milwaukee and Racine police were
telegraphed for Immediately and Detective
Hanson was provided with special train
on which he left at 2:4O O'clock
Less than five minutes out OF tho West
ern Union Junction. said Messenger Mur-
ply, ''the train slowed up suddenly. A
musket was then poked through the top
window of the car, and a second later ter
rific explosion occurred that knocked both
myself and MIR. Cook in heap. Half
dozen more explosions followed and both
doors few off the bolts. Then two men,
wearing big black masks, clambered
quickly into the car and covered
us with muskets. We were eau
tn Ipn Ipyt0i ni1a
atty of getting our heads blown off. After
glancing hurriedly about the car, the rob-
bers fastened their eyes on the two iron
boxes of the American Express company,
The robbers brought the fireman in littls
later and Went through all tho boxes. They
compelled us to hand over tho keys. They
dumped the boxes out on the road bed.
One Of the robbers kept us covered with his
nusket all the time, while the other super
Intended the operations Of the fireman"
Messenger Murphy stated that he secured
Ill the bills of money contained in the safes
md that the sum is undoubtedly very
arge one. 1t is probable that the tots
% 100000 and possibly more. The officials
It st. Paul said the train which was held
Up was the one which generally carried all |
he money received by the Milwaukee bank |
rom the east i'll the marning. Agent John |
:. Bell, of the American Express company.
aid to reporter that the approximate |
tatement of the amount taken bv the rob-
'ers could not he learned. He said that
Ii, 600 in local packages was certainly gone.
ssides sum contained in two sealed en-
elopes.
When tho train arrived at the union
epot, at 2:2O o'clock, the express car pre-
ented a sight that indicated it had been
ttaoked BY heavy artillery. Every door
nd window had been blown to pieces and
he platform and walls shattered in half
Oxen places, while the contents were piled
4 an indiscriminate heap in the center of
he car.
General Manager Earlng, of St. Paul,
eceived dispatch this morning which says
nat the robbers did not get any booty frcm
Inion junction this morning. The dis-
atch said that the robbers. after gaining
omission to the express car, COM
landed the messenger to open the
afes. He refused, and the safes
ere pitched out of the car on to the
round. In the meantime the rear brake
IAN. understanding tho situation, rushed !
ack to the junction and got an engine and
osse and at once went to the scene and
,e robbers fled. The robbers had tried by
,rco to open the doors of the safes, but ,
ere unsuccessful. 1he fast mail picked T..
p the safes and carried them to Milwau-
90. The three robbers, after gaining an
AUhASls oChAA0cO anu EDb tu5 Keys 10
le safes ut the muzzles of their
lns. Toe engineer was compelled by 6
roe to open the local safe contain
e money and valuables con- 6
aned from Chicngo for points be-
veen Chicago and Lacrosse. As the safes ]
I'd combination locks, the robbers were
lable to get into them. The robbers then
'mpelled the train men to assist in throw
a out the treasure boxes from the car.
he locomotive headlight had been extin-
lished, and the robbers then sent the enqi- 6
,er and fireman into the cab and ordered c
o train to pull out. The way safe con- /
ined btwsen $1,000 and $4,000 and way !
lis, which were taken and probably de- =
royed.
No Trace of the Robbers.
Nov. 12.-The most exper- \
need detectives in the employ Of the Chi I
90, Milwaukee d. ST. Paul railway, assisted !
the sheriff Of Racine county and a large :
sse of men. up to late hour o-night were I
liable to track the robbers who stole about q
200 from the American express car near b
aatprD Hin inn .Iunctiny, In ,,iukt Sa,. ~,