The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-15
sn1rinL pL,pa,eh b the Irt,Htnencer.

Spoeia! Dispatch 10 ne IrteRgcnesr
HUNTINGTON, W. VA, Dec. 14.-Burrel
Forgey, who was arrested for the train
robbery here Tuesday morning, keeps a
stiff upper lip and refuses to say any
thing. He only insists that his wound
was made by a shot from providers
about his premises. 1t now is admitted
by tho police that there is no hole in
the shoulder OF the coat they found
corresponding to his wound. But q
vest taken from his house corresponds
with the coat, and both were identified
as having been sold him two months
ago by clerk in G. A. Northcotts
clothing store. The coat found whore
the robbers left the train was taken to
Forgey's home by Constable Wilson
and Forgey said it was his. His wife
corroborated his statement. When
told where it had been found, Mrs.
Forgey said 1t had been worn that
night by Tom Collins, who lived oppo-
site this place in Ohio.
This morning Policeman Staley went
to Collins house, and under pretense
OF needing him as a witness, brought
him to this city, where he was immedt-
ately arrested and incarcerated. He
said he knew nothing of the affair at
ali. Constable Wilson told him that
Mrs. Forgey said he had worn the coat
dropped BY the train robber. This at
ternoon Collins sent for the constable
and asked him to repeat what Mrs. For
gey said. After hearing it again he
seemed deeply affected and said he was
ready to tell the whole truth about the
affair. He knew that the pistol taken
from him had been positively identified
by the Saunders boy of whom he bought
it, and by a gunsmith who had repaired
it. He also knew that he had been iden-
tilted by Mr.. Matheson and Mr.: Thomp'
son, passengers on the train. The latter
had also said that when they came to
examine Collins they would find that be
had been shot in the leg. Though he
had never limped in his steps, the
fresh wound was large enough to run
the finger through in the inner tieshy
part of the left thigh. In the face OF
these facts, Collins said it was no use to
fight the matter and he proposed to
make clean breast of it and wanted
his trial as soon US possible.
COLLINS coNFEssEs.
Collins story is inJsubstance as fol-
lows: 1T is Forgey and 1 who at
tempted the robbery OF the train. He
was the ringleader and first to propose
the lob. 1 was reluctant, and he over
persuaded me into it. We had been
planning the robbery for two weeks,
and fixed upon Tuesday morning TO
carry it out. We procured weapons
and armed ourselves heavily. He
thought we could get through without
trouble. Mrs. Forgey fixed our masks
and sewed them into the front inside
edges of our hats. She told me she
didn't want her husband to engage in
such business as that we were entering
on. He insisted, however. We went
to the passenger depot SHORTLY before
midnight and waited around for No. 4.
As it started we boarded the coach in
front OF the sleeper. We adjusted our
masks in the vestibule. Forgey passed
rapidly through the car to the farther
end, brandishing revolver in each
hand and warning the passengers to
keep still. AS he went there was no
trouble, but when he reached the other
end OF the car saw German jump on
his back and hurl him down. There
was a struggle and confusion and l
heard several shots fred. hesitated a
little and then ran to his help. AS /
came up to him / threw my revolver
forward and fired, don't know
whether hit the German or not, but /
think my ball went into the floor. AS
this occurred felt the sting of q bullet
and knew that l had been shot. A
deathly sickness came over me and l
then dropped my pistols and started for
the door. A passenger, Mr.. Mathoson,
grabbed me and said could not get of.
l told him to let re of, that was shot.
Thcn ! ducked under him some way
and got out. 1t all appears like
dream 10 me now. AS jumped to the
ground / pulled off my wig and mask
and Forgcy's cont, which was wearing
because OF the rain. My only thought
was to escape to my home across the
AANcAl NHa AN1 WIN aA IA AtGAb
through swamps and briar patches to
the river bank. That is how got so
terribly scratched up"
Collins showed how his hands and
clothing had been terribly raked by the
briars.
"After reaching home I piled into
bed with my brother. Next morning l
told mother Ihad cramps and wanted
turpentine. She got me some and 1
took drop or two TO deceive her, then
went TO tho water closet and poured the
balance into my wound. then tore of
one leg OF my drawers and bound the
wound Up. Mother has no idea yet that
l was shot. It was Forgey's coat /
wore, and he had on an old overcoat."
Collins made no reference to any
other parties being implicated in the
affair, but it Is generally believed that
there we're ono or two Others whose
hearts iailod them at the critical mo-
mont. Forgey has not yet been in
formed of tho confession, aud no and
his wifo are making bold show OF