New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-22
4 FLORIDA TRAIN HELD UP,
DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH MASKED
ROBBERS.
THE EXPRESS MESsENGER KILLED AND An
AGENT BADLY WOUNDED-ALL THE

MONEY PACKAGES SAVED.
tsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


tsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Sanford, Fla, May 21.-Northbound train No. Ia
on the jacksonville. Tampa and Kew West Railroad
was "hcd up" at lonely hammock station five miles
north OF here. at 1 80 this morning by four masked
robbers, who, in desperate attempt to secure money
OF the southern Express Company, killed the express
messenger, W. T. saunders. and badly wounded
soliciting agent J. VI. Cox. The train started from
sanford bound for Jacksonville at / 10 this morn
edneer J. II. Dumas was at the throttle
When within 800 wards Of Monroe. lonely
station the rvcr In dense hammock Of pal
mettoes and oaks. four tagged the train to stop
by waving white station lantern. There Is nothing
at this station which s the junction OF the Orange
Belt Railroad, except a station house and saw-
mill on the same side Of the track. and this trnin
never stops there unless tagged
The engineer obcycd the flag signal and slowed II
down. when the train stopped two masked robbers
got the engine and covered the engineer and fire
man with pistols. Then robber said Pull on
down toward the treetle.' Two hundred yards GOWN
the robb.-r SAID "etop.7
At this point the engine began popping end one
OF the robbers casually remarked: "shut down your
damp,r.7 That ict furnished a clew. a, none bu'
a man convcr,ant with ralradng wond know that
shut dampcs would .top the popping. When The train
had stopped the two robbers ordered The engineer
and fireman 10 60 hack To the second class coach.
They promptly COnpU'f h'u INC Nv" i'""''" ''N
behind meeting a third outside the express car.
In the mcanum, a desperate and bloody scene was
beinc enacted in the express When the TWO ROD
her, got ON the engine more Jumped on IN tram
one OF them met the express messenger Stln'rN' al
the front door Of the car and covered nm win d
pstol ordering him - throw up his hands. saunncr'
made dash for HE pistol IN iron chest near by
As he did 20 bullet crashed through his eyes ana ho
his brain and another through his breast. lie ran
oulclv 10 the other Of the and rc"ied ana fcil
ort on the piaiforn with hrs head hanging over me
steps where he expired. !. VI. Cox was in the same
car with Saunders and Immediately started toward thc
,cbber Mr. Cox is a powerfully built man. lie
obbed the rohber who fired twice In quick succession
one shot went through the bridge of Mr. 'oN'a n"-e
and cut a wound on his check which was also badly
burned and blackcned bv powder. lie WI, undannich
however. aud with extra effort threw the ''il""
ant Of tho car and OF the platform and then slammed
the door shut j. =. Gilbert. bacgacema-trr, hrard
fhe shots and Immediately went forward 10
soc what was the matter At the front dooF
- tho car he met the fourth robb"r VINO
grabbed Gilbert by tho coat with one haih ana IrHl
!, big ui,tol in his face with tie other saving -
There, lying there ana another III W.,
car and II know whats healthy Tor y"u' w" IL
c,t i'm that express In a hurry.
Gilbert did he Wa ordered inc c"nuutur
knew nothing about the affair until N was All over:
I'm fact the whole thing did not occupy a minute "i
lime The r, bbeIs. strange t. say after having Mllcd
saundcr,. Ged without getting any money Inc con
ductor ordered the train back Ia this place.
Tonight hundreds Of men are scarching Tor me rob
her, Governor Fleming has offered a reward oi OH"
for the arrest % the muf,icrcrs.