Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-13

KENDALLSVILLEs lND.t oePtehOoA L.
"A party Of robbers numbering, ac-
eordlng TO various accounts, anywhere
from FIVE 10 twenty, have increased the
actual circulation OF currency by On
amount estimated anywhere between
$4,000 and 100000.
The money was obtained early this
morning from the Atlantic express on
the lake Shore aud Michigan Southern
railioad. after the express car had been
shattered wit dynamite, the safe shiy-
cred with the same deadly explosive,
and Engineer Knapp, OF the express
train, had gone down with one bullet In
his shoulder and another In his side.
The robbery was one OF the boldest,
and according TO all who will give in
formation upon the subject, II was as
well. one Of the most successful ever
committed east OF the Mississippi river.
The officials Of the United States Ex-
press Company claim that their loss
was under 100000, but they give no
figures, and will give none.
The statement that the robbers nave
secured $500, 900 is based upon report
that one OF the Chicago banks had
shipped $3.50, 900 in currency to one OF
its New York correspondents. This
, sum is said 10 be riding around with the
men who took IL from the broken ex-
press car.
Itisa well known fact that the train
which the robbers despoiled early this
morning st the lonely hamlet OF kesler,
~ q
$500. 600 In currency st one time. II the
robbers secured only $4,000, as the ex'
press officials claim, they will have a
hard luck story 10 tell each other when
they divide.
The railroad detectives and the local
police claim that the work was done by
men inexperienced aud new TO the
business, but on the face OF the returns
the figures show that they knew what
they wanted, wasted no time or energy
in going for it, and they have got what
they went after.
Their plan OF operation was carefully
considered, and boldly and sYstemati-
cally executed. They were all mounted,
as the tracks Of horses near the scene
OF the robbery shows.
The Associated Press correspondent
saw to-day places where they had level
ed the fences between the tracks on the
road over which they took their hasty
departure. Everything had been care
fully prepared as possible.
The robbers first turned switch on
the side track at Kesler, knowing that
the red light thus shown would cause
she engineer to stop. The calculation
was well made. Engineer Knapp saw
the danger signal and applied his
brakes.
The next instant he was covered by a
revolver, and told 20 throw up his
hands, while half dozen men climbed
into the cab TO emphasize the order.
Knapp instead made an attempt TO
start his engine forward, but the next
moment fell with bullet wounds, one in
th0 shoulder and one In the left side.
He was subsequently taken 70 bis
home in Elkhart and may not recover
This was the only opposition 70 the
robbers who numbered, according TO
the majority Of the stories told, about
twelve or fifteen.
Leaving two men ia charge OF the
engine, they went direct 70 the express
car and with dynamite cartridge at
tempted to shatter the door The first
effort failed but the second was more
successful and the robbers rushed In on
NJ NJ. Weist and Byron B. Hamblin,
tie express messenger and assistant,
Who on looking into the muzzle OF a
life and half dozen revolvers obeYed
the order TO 'thrOW up your hands"
- - Il hos
Sedge knocked the knob off the ex-
--DIess safe, while another produced a
n and in few moments had hole
arOugh the strong box, into which
dynamite cartridge was inserted. These
were exploded without apparent result,
as was another and another, but as a
dfth WAS fred the door gave way and
the robbers seized the contents aud run
ming toward 8 little grove, where their
horses were concealed, they fred vol
ley into the air TO intimidate possible
purSuers, and rode away into the night
with their booty. The conductor Of
the train aud his crew kept very
quiet and the passengers were
not alarmed until the affair was about
over. when there was q great scramble
TO secrete watches, pocketbOoks and
other valuables. In short time the
train moved on. Express Messenger
Weist went on TO Cleveland while
Hsmblin went back to Chicago to re-
rort. Superintendent AlonzO WyRsnt
cane to the scene of the ROBBERY and
took charge Of the secret service OF the
company, which was centralized here.
THE MESSENGER TALKS