The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-22
A PLUCKY MESSENGER,

McInery's Desperate Fight with the Robber
Nothing Taken by the Latter.
ROCHESTER, N. Y, Feb. 21.-The story of
the attempt at robbery. as far as can be
gathered, is this: The express messen ger.
be it understood. will not talk. Cross
boarded the train when it pulled out of
Syracuse. and climbed on top of the ex-
press car. He was provided with hooked
rope. Fastening the hook in the slight
cornice Of the roof on one side of
tho car he let himself down
on to the other and resting his
toes on the bar that runs across the Car. he
looked in the glass of the side door. and
saw the express messenger In front of one
of the Safes which was open. making up
his bills. lie smashed the glass with his re-
volver. covered the messenger. and shouted
to hold up his hands Instead of doing so
McInery reached for the signal cord with
one hand and for his revolver with the
other. A bullet smashed the hand on the
cord, but not before it had given the
signal that aroused the conductor. Then
McInery fired on the robber and
put bullet through his coat.
Then the robber shot the messen-
ger twice. once In the right leg and once in
the left temple. He climbed into the car.
and desperate etruggle took place, which
did not end until the train was stopped,
for the first time, near Weedsport. 1t is
evident that the robber had climbed out
on TOP. of the cars and remained there
through the stop ut Port Byron until the
train reached Lyons. So far AS can be
learned the robber secured absolutely moth
ing for which the company can thank the
readiness of conductor Laass and the pluck
of messenger McInery.
Chief of Police Hayden. who returned to
capture, as follows: I'VE had teIegraphed
to Newark to have team meet US, but
when we arrived there was no team to be
found. We went to several houses and
tried to get horse before we succeeded.
Finally we found farmer who consented
to drive Us for o short distance. at least
In the meantime We had heard in regard to
the deeperado's course after he left the
engine at Blue Cut We followed In pur-
suit. should think. about four miles on
the road running south until we reached
the house of . farmer by the name of Beals,
where we heard from the man.
THE FARMER oBEYED QUICKLY.
He stopped at Mr.. Bears to get fresh
horse Mr.. Beal informed him that he had
no outfit that he would let him take. The
robber did not stop to repeat his request.
but. pulling out his pistol, fired two shots
90 close to Bears head that his face was
blackened by the powder. The horse and
cutter was brought out without further
parleying, and leaving the other horse with
Mr.. Beals the fellow started off again.
After tracing the roDber about four miles
to the south We found that he had turned
travelling in all probably ten miles. Com
ing to Benton's swamp he left the horse at
the side of the road, stuck in the snow and
himself took to the woods. Here the pur-
suers surrounded him and closed in upon
him, 49,.
party on the west of the swamp saw the
fellow secreted behind stone wall. They
expected that he would open fire on them
and were prepared for almost ANYTHING.
but the fellow evidently realized that it
was up with him and that il would bs inst
as well and perhaps better to surrender.
He called out TO deputy Collins that he
was unarmed and put his revolver on the
wall and told him that if he wanted to
speak with him to come up. The deputy
accordingly walked up TO the wall and
reaching over secured his man. who offered
no resistance w whatever.
Il informed him as to the condition OF
the express messenger and he seemed to be
pleased to learn that he was injured no
worse. saying that Mclnery had fought for
all he was worth and had shown lots of
sand. He told me that he had opened sew
eral packages. but did not lind what he
wanted. as it was money he was looking
for. In the course Of our conversation I
casually said:
Perry, you must be very tiredp
"'Yes; but what was it yon called meP
81 called you Perry. That's your name.
isn't itP
mo. sir my Eame is Cross-William
Cross-and came from New Mexico
After dinner we drove to Lyons. and the
prisoner was lodged In Jail at that place.
He is five feet six or seven inches in height
rather slight in build, and Will not weigh
over 140 pounds. He wears o short brown
beard, was dressed in suit of dark
clothes. and had q black derby hat He Is
apparently. about twenty-five years old.
He was armed TO the teeth. He had three
revolvers, enc of them q very heavy one
and had on q belt filled with cartridges"