The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-23
THE AnIERIC1N DEsPERADO.

Americans are acquiring quite Teputa-
ton for deeds of audacity, aud European
countries may we'll look on aud wonder.
One Of our accomplished villains BidweH
the forger. has just returned from an Eng
lish Jail, 20 which he had been consigned
for gigantic frauds on the Bank OF Eng
land The marvel is he has been allowed to
90 free by SO conservative 4 country, for it
is pretty certain he viii not be long loose
in society without further Distinguishing
himself in nefarious enterprise. Rogues Of
BidwelFs type represent the genteel and
scholarly side Of the robbers profession,
and hey are lar more dangerous than the
safe-cracker or highwayman. The deSpera-
do who robs a train by force belongs pecu-
larry TO America. Elsewhere the knaye
who makes free with the property Of others
on trains is Contented with clever exploits
performed with a chlo70lOrmed handker-
chief, and occasionally a registered mall
bag is distracted, but such men as Hedge
pelh and the cowboy who has been ar
rested Tor robbery on the New York Central
are quite another stamp Of bravo. They
risk their own lives against great odds IN
the coolest manner, and they are quite in
different whom they Stay, provided they al
TAIN lLtiI emu. DUN l4lClI ST. az - dAu
their courage are worthy OF an employment
that would DO them honor. As it is, society
draws a breath Of relief when they are run
down ard kept in prison for a term.
The crime committed on the New York
Central, between Syracuse and Lyons, has
probably never been surpassed in boldneSs
and readiness Of resource. A single man
undertakes to rob the eXpress-car Of
special train and he very nearly succeeds
For this the American Express Company
are somewhat to blame. as II is customary
% transmit large sums of money, sometimes
Sl,G00.0-0, by this train. they should have
had AZ least two messengers IN the car in
stead of one. Quite UnobseTvsd the rob
Der Corceals himself on the roof of
the express car and early in the
Journey he lowers himself to the side By
means OF "a hooked rope and peers through
the window. Seeing only one messenger
within lie promptly smashes the window
with one bullet. and as lie Is dehed by the
faithful employe, lodges three bullets in
bis body and disables him, If indeed he is
not injured fatally. The way IS then clear
for robbery. but the packages do not suit
the taste IF the r0bbeT, anu nothing is after
ward missed Now are enacted some novel
features IL Tie daredevil spirit which in
dicate that the process Of evolution Is AT
work in sharpening the wits Of despera-
does. The Taiding cowboy defies the con-
duct0T and brakeman, and at the p0in: Of
q pistol Compels them to proceed with the
train Wien at last the train does halt at
Lyons the fellow is found On the platform
saunteUing about in very Innocent guise.
He is suspected and rush is made for him,
but his pluck enables him to keep the crowd
at bay, and, getting on am engine, DE over
powers the engineer and fireman, opens the
throttle valve and steams cut Of the station.
When pursued he TeveTses his engine and
endeayors 10 XIII his pursuers. At length
the fires 20 down and the steam gels eX-
hausted. and then the desperate has 90
take to his heels. On tie way tie pcrsua-
sion Of the revolver enables him 10 get two
horses and q cutter from farmers. but
finally he is c0ruered 10 a swamp and sur
renders.
Society has no security against man of
this stamp except by keeping fast hold OF
him: but just in proportion 70 the astonsh-
ment which his exploit excites so viii be the
maudlin sympathy of those who forget the
wrong be has done and admire the courage
he has displayed. If convicted there VIII
be petitions for his pardon. There appears
to be good reason to believe that this is not
his first attempt at the robbery OF trains,
ana should he escape punishment we may
aUguT that it will not be lis last.