The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-15
TRAIN ROBBERS CAPTURED
Thomas Collins Confesses and Tells How Bur-
rell For9ey Planned the Affair-Ths Muir
dered German Blamed for Its Failure

HUNTINGToy. w. Va, Dec. 1a-Chief
Turner. Of the police force here. aided by
his assistants. cleared ND the Chesapeake
u Ohio vestibule train robbery and muir
der tins morning by the arrest of Thomas
Collins at Bradriek, just across the river in
Ohio. He was charged with the murder of
the German passenger and with being
confederate Of Burrell Forgey. who was
plscsd in custody Last night. The chain of
evidence 10 complete Capt Samue Mathi-
SON. Of Charleston, has identified them
down. Collins 10 in jail. which place is
heavily guarded. while Foreey 10 allowed to
remain at his home on Virginia avenue. IN
der guard. where he is suffering from the
wound in his right shoulder, caused by the
ticket collectors bullet.
Collins made q complete confession 20
Chief of Police Turner and detective Fitz.
gerald, ct the Jail He said that the plan
two weeks ago, and that he was induced &c
90 into il by promise Of full share of the
spoiia He was drilled BY Forgey at his
house . number of times for the attack.
and Mira Forgey had full knowledge of the
details. They chose Monday night because
10 was stormy and threatening. and they
would be moro likely to get away unob-
served. The plan as given to him by Forgey
was to begin in the first coacb, hold mp the
passengers clear through. and pull the bell
80 tho depot from Forgey's house. and Mrs.
Forgey sewed the mask, which was of black
dressg0ods. to his hat. He says the German
spoiled ell their plans BY making the resist
not intend TO attempt to rob the baggage
coach. Cclllns and ForRey are both
wounded. Torgey's wound is In the right
arm near the shoulder. Collins has bad
wound In the fieshy part of the right leg
above the knee. He showed it to jailer
Jones immediately after making the con-
foBsion. The prisoners waived an exami-
nation before Squire Taylor in the jail,
and were bound over to conrt without
tsntion of ordering q special grand jury at
once Burrell Forgey is a native of Law
renee county, Ohio, near Proctorville, and
. son of James Forgey. He has worked at
the Ensign works. IL Is said that he fig
the swamps of Louisiana. killing his man.
Collins was also an Ensign empIoye, but
was tough, and has several times been un.
der arrest for misdemeanors-
The coat found where the robbers left the
train with a scorched bullet hole. corre-
spending to the location of Forgey's wound,
has been identified by clothier q. A. North
colt as one sold to Forgey. The coat also
matches vest sold TO Forgey at the same
time For0ey aud Collins were companions,
ware store of Emmons s. Hawkins inspect
ing revolvers. They met Jim Saunders, q
ifteen-year-old boy. who told them he had
q navy revolver. Collins bought it from
him for $2.25. This pistol WAS one of the
two captured on the train.. and has been
positively identified by the boy and q gun
smith who repaired it. Mr.. Mcbride, q rail-
road man who was on the train at the time
of the trouble. was taken into the jail this
morning and recognized the prisoners as
the train -fobbcrs There are ominous NUT
tsrings among the people. and the authori-
ties are quietly preparing for an attack on
the jail tonight If 1t comes there will be
bloody work.
They Didn't Know the Colonel Was Aboard.
special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Dec. 14.-Colonel Will
Jams. of Lafaye yette. who is now here was
passenger on the train which was ''stood
up" by highwaymen, night before last,
near Huntington, w. Va, where o reeist-
ing passenger was shot dead and one of
the robbers severely wounded. The
Colonel was asleep In his berth at the
time tho robbers entered the day coach and
began operations. Shortly afterward the
Pullman c0nd uctor awakened the Hoosier
and inquired If he was q ply sician. This
was the first the Colonel knew OF his mar
row esca pc. Had tho adventurers been
more sagaclous and experienced and begun
work in the eeping- car section. the dis
tinguished citizen of Lafayette would
probably have been relieved of his valua-
blee.