The herald., 1893-09-22
TRAIN ROBBERS BAFFLED.
For Once a Well-Laid Plan
Failed of Success.
Particulars of TIE Hold-Up at
Centralia, Ill.
Three of the Would-Be Robbers Now
Behind Prison Bars.
Two OF Thorn Had q Narrow Escape
from Being Lynched-Tho Wounded
Bandit Makes a Full
Confession.
By the Associated Press.

CENTRALIA, ILL.,, Sept. 21.--It goes on
record for once that well-plsnned train
robbery failed OF success. At midnight
last night the New Orleans limited from
Chicago reached this place. Three men
secreted themselves on top of the ex-
press car, and when the train stopped
at coal chute ehort distance further
on to take coal, the robbers jumped
down and over the tender, calling on
the engineer and fireman to throw up
their hands. Instead of doing 80, they
made for the robbers who fred, wound
ing both severely. The robbers then
attacked the express car, firing numer-
GUS shots through the door, the express
messenger and conductor who happened
to be in the car, replying in kind till the
door was shot full of holes. The rob-
bers finally broke open the door with a
sledgs hammer, and letting themselves
down over the top OF the car with Crap
Cling irons, renewed the fighting with
the messenger and conductor who mean
time had barricaded themselves behind
boxes and hampers.
While this was going on the brake
man warned the passengers, who pro-
ceeded to conceal their valuables.
Among the passengers was an old-time
brakeman, Jake Sanders, Of Duquoin,
who had shotgun. He went at once
to the express car and succeeded in
bringing down one Of the robbers with
weil-aimed shot. Seeing the game
was up, the other two robbers fled. hav-
ing secured nothing.
1t is understood that large amount
OF money was in the express car.
1t is thought the wounded robber will
die. His name is believed to be David
Joseph, evidently a railroadman, as he
carried a card from ths Order OF Rail
way Trainmen, issued at Chicago, and q
switchman's card from the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe at Kansas City.
In the melee Engineer Young received
a bullet in the shoulder, coming out at
the elbow, and another in the back,
lodging in the hip. Fireman Mellow
ell was also twice wounded, once in the
leg and once in the neck. Conductor
Adam was wounded slightly in the
hand.
The alarm was at once given here and
large posse turned out to hunt the
robbers.
Later-The wounded robber is d. l..
Jones of Oxford Mile, Ia. He was hit
with q monkeywrench by the fireman
and 80 badly hurt that he soon fell ex-
hausted. The robber shot by Sanders
escaped with the others. 1t appears
there were four instead of three as pre-
viously reported.
After the robbers fed the train backed
up to the station. A new crew was put
on and the train proceeded. The whole
city was aroused by the ringing of the
fire bells, and the CAPTURED bandit was
threatened with lynching unless he
made q full confession. He said the
other members OF the gang were
Chas. O'Dwyer Of this city, James Hard
ing of Danville. ILL.,, and man named
Nichols. He also implicated man
named Martin CT Duquoip in the plot,
though he took no part in the robbery.
O'Dwyer's house was Immediately SUR
rounded and the surrender Of the inmatef
demanded. His mother refused to eur
render and party watched till day.
light. when O'Dwyer gave himself up
and is now in jail with Jones. Search.
ing parties are occurring the country fol
the other two. o'Dwyer bears hard
name.
Jones said this morning to an Aaso,
ciated Press reporter that O'Dwyel
learned the train would be the most
profitable "hold-up" OF any coming tc
the city. Arrangements were made te
meet at O'Dwyer's house after the rob
berry to divide the swag. Jones was tc
have most, to give to his father who il
poor. Jones 10 a switchman and came
from st. Louis Monday with other mem
bers OF the gang.
This afternoon Mayor James Benson
wac notified that move was on foot to
lynch the two bandits Immediately after
suneet. The prosecuting attorney ant
the police magistrate accompanied the
mayor to the city jail and laid the mat
ter before Jones and O'Dwyer, They
were bandcuffed and, accompanied BY
officers, hurried to carriage in waiting
and before anyone was aware OF whai
was going on, the conveyance, closely
followed by the mayor in buggy, was
speeding across the country to Salem
the county seat.
An Associated Press correspondent
held private interview with the pris
onere just before they we're spirited ou
Of the city. O'Dwyer positively denied
completely in the crime, hut while hi
leaped from the train he dropped his
mask and was recognized.
James Hardin was overhauled neal
Nashville this afternoon, and brough
to this city at 10 o'clock on the Chicago
express. Mayor Benson went to tn,
train with several resolute men to sc,
that the prisoner passed through IN
harmed. The prisoner was taken Il
Odin and from there to Salem, over th'
Ohio and Mississippi railway and LANDED
in Jail with O'DWyer and Jones.