Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-03-19
Fight With BURGLARS.
Thrilling Adventure on a Train in
Delaware.
Bnllets Flying Thick and Fast--Passcn-
gers Dodge Behind Seats While
the FusiIade Goes On.

the FusiIade Goes On.
four burglars who blew open safes and robbed
stores in Milford, Del, and three constables,
occurred on a rspidly.m,ving train near Will
mington. The burglars boarded the Norfolk
express, due in Wilmington at 4iJ A. NJ.
They were recognized by the constablesi who
bad also boarded the train in pursuit Of them.
II was between midnight and daylight
that the Milford burglaries were committed.
The burglars had blown open aud robbed th9
sales at the Delaware Maryland and Virginia
Railroad station and at four stores in the town
making their biggest haul-about s4OO--at ].
f. Hollands store. They had also broken
ITO several other places, including black
smith shop and carriage factory, getting away
with about 5000 in all.
As soon as their operations became known
along the line OF The railroad every neighbor.
ing town was alarmed and on the lookout
The suspected men first showed up ut the
private clearinghouse of William Wheatly,
where they ate enough for eight men. Their
hunger was one thing that aroused suspicion.
After supper they went across 10 Barber
Foucht's place and got their whiskers and
HusthCDts sHhAcu nus W men tHa5 bttbht
known il still more aroused the suspicion OF
the town people, The four men then started
aioot along the Philadelphia Wilmington and
Baltimore Railroad track toward Dover.
Previous To all this the town folks had been
thoroughly aroused by the detailed story Of
the Eve burglaries at Milford and the pr0hs.
bility of the cracksmen passing through
Wyoming. They we're sharply on the slert
watching for any strangers appearing intown.
kilograms we're sent 10 Dover and Camden
of their suspicious A posse Of citizens armed
to the teeth and headed by Officers Smith and
Loekerman started out boldly on the rail- Dad
track in hot pursuit of the four men. II was
a tedious march OF three miles to the State
capital. A bright, Gear moon lighted the
way, and encouraged the posse in the belief
that the suspects would not make break into
the woods Tired and out Of breath. but with
not a Whit Of their enthusiasm allayed, the
energetic vigilants arrived in Dover Alter
conference with Officers Smith and Locker
man the Wyoming citizens decided TO return
home and leave the outcome 10 the officers.
Meanwhile the whole town OF Wyoming
was afame with excitement, armed men
patrollng the streets all night Officers
Smith and Lcekermau repaired 10 the Phila-
delphia Wilmington and Baltimore Station,
where they were Joined by Officer Hutchins
OF Dover 1t was determined TO watch Tor the
Norfolk express. due at 8 A. NJ. The idea
was that the suspects would board the train
going North. just before train time the four
strangers walked Of etly into the station. The
officers allowed the suspects TO board the train
winch soon came along, but got on with them
The plan for the capture Of the four men
was hastily arranged, Officers Lockerman
guarding the front door. while Smith and
IIutchins planted themselves at the other end
Of the car. The coach was filled with pas
sengers for Philadelphia and New York,
The plan was the best under the circum-
tka "a hzf a I'll al
selves among the passengers and the plan
was to drive them toward the front door
where Officer Lockerman stood outside on the
platform. The two officers had entered at the
back door.
At given signal they drew their pistols
and marched up the aisle. In an instant the
whole interior of the coach was In an uproar
The passengers bobbed under their seats, en-
,rely disappearing. The officers pistols were
,eyeled at the burglars, WHO, with instant
appreciation os the position, leaped from
their seats and with drawn reyolyers, rushed
10 the front door of the COACH No heads
were to be seen but those OF the officers aud
burglars. All four attempted to go through
the front door at once. The shooting COM
meneed at this point, and the interior of the
car re-ech0ed With pistol shots. 'Bang
bangl" they went but no one was hurt
Three of the thieves crowded out Of the front
door They drove Lockerman on to the plat
form Of the forward car with their revolyers.
The three men then jumped from the rapidly
moving train.
In the melee the front door got closed
against the fourth man. Quick as lightning
he opened the door of the toiletroom and
locked 1t after him. Officer Smith went out
side, and clambering along the coach as the
train rushed along, got his pistol hand inside
the toilet room and commenced firing az the
desperate man within. The man Immediately
returned the fire. putting bullet through
Smiths hand. The officer then retired. lie
already had a wound under his right eye, aud
his clothing had been shot through. Burglar
No. had not been hurt, although officer
Smith claims that he heard him fall heavily
against the door after shot. The thief, with
courage born Of desperation, crowded himself
through the window Of the toilet-ro0m and
made a reckless plunge from the ear.
While all the shooting was going on the
train hands we're invisible. The whole ARRAY
only lasted a few minutes When the pas
sengers emerged from their hiding places,
hey found evidence OF the conflict in broken
window glass and splintered wood work.
II was ct first thought that none Of the
burglars lad been hurt. but word was re.
eeiyed that one had been captured in fodder
stack, near Clayton, with bullet wound in
his thigh. IIewss tnken TO Jail at Dover, and
was recognized as James Burns Whining
ton base. ball player. The men are described
as ranging Ia age from twenty to twenty
years. Men are securing the country in
search Of the three men who got away.