The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-27
ARMED TO THE TEETH.
Railway Companies Equip Trsinmen with
Eevolvers and Winchesters.
Nhicano uarnId

Railway Companies Equip Traihnlen with
kievolvers and Winchesters.
Chicago Herald.
Armed men will accom- pany every train
hauling express or mail cars from Chicago
TO any point east. west or south In future.
Two roads have already determined to
arm their mon, and in q few days orders
will be issued by other roads running into
Chicago to supply WInchesters to all train
men connected with trains hauling eX press
cars. This has been found q necessary pro-
vision. owing TO the repeated robberies and
attacks on trains supposed to be carrying
o large amount of money.
Orders were issued by the president OF
the Michigan Central railroad yesterday
that every trainman should be supplied
with a,couple of revolvers and q Winches-
ter repeating rifle. This only refers TO
those who travel with the traine hauling
American Express cars OF mail cars. 1t Is
not the intention of the Michigan Gen.
trail officials to kill robbers at sight. The
revolvers are only to be used In
cases of emergency, and these cases are
considered to be SO rare that the train.
men have been warned not to draw them
until the last moment. The Winchesters
are to be used ct any and ell times when a
train is held up by bandits. and a more
merciful dose will be fired at the robbers
fenseless trainmen. The Michigan Central
will not supply any shell cartridges to
their EN- ployes. The Winchesters are to be
loaded with buckshot. and when robbers
appear with rifles or revolvers they will be
treated to n shower Of shot. which will not
necessarily kill.
IL Is expected that shot will prove disa-
greeable enough to induce the robbers to
drop oil intention of robbing an express
car and will effectually prevent the success
of n plot TO rifle either ex press safes or
mail cars. Every trainman has been given
eXpllcit instruction to nse ms Winchester
whenever q train Is held M. and if tho
men follow directions train robbers Will
soon 90 ont of the business. If the French
satIrist is right in his surmise the bandits
will fOrsake the peoples highway and be-
come hotel keepers. where they will run a
less risky chance In Fleeing the public.
On ali Michigan Central trains running
with express cars WInchesteIs will lie
handy on the cab of the engine. where the
engineer and fireman Will be ready TO
handle them as quickly as possible. The
conductor and brakemen Will he supplied
with the same weapon and additional en-
ployes similarly hrmed will be sent with
the train. There will be ct least ten men
armed TO the teeth on each train, and this
force has been considered sufficient to
scare of any gang of train robbers.
I'VE have determined to put n stop to
'hold.ups.'" said O. w. Ruggles. the gen.
eral passenger agent of the Michigan Gem
trail. last night. This scheme OF tagging
trains and then shooting st tho trainmen
has become too freunent to DO pleasant.
MI OILY arc N0 IcbOlscu W pIOtrCb OuE
own men from injury. but we are fnlly de-
termined to protect. to the best OF our
ability. the money that is intrust-
cd TO our care. we DO not
want TO kill the robbers. We leave
their punishment to the law. Bat when
bandits use revolyers and WIncheeters, and
hold human life as nothing. they have to
be met on almost the same terms. and dis
abled before they can do any harm. That
in why We rave ordered Winchester repeat
ing shotguns rather than rifles. because we
do not want to kill the men. These drastic
measures have been rendered necessary by
tie desperate deeds OF the train robbers re-
Gently"
Every man on the Pennsylvania lines
will also be armed in n similar manner.
I'VE intend TO On pDly every trainman with
q Winchester shotgun" said T.. Is. WALL,
the assistant 10 the first vice presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania road. last night.
"wbeneyer the train carries an EXPRESS
car Or q mall car. The recent rob-
berries have compelled US TO take this
measure. We want our men to be well
protected. as we'll as the money we carry.
The express companies have also deter
mined to arm their men in q similar man.
ner. Of course. express messengers always
chesters is much better. | think that this
will finally put a stop TO train robberies.
IL the thieves meet with such a determined
resistance as they did when they attacked
the train near st. Joseph, Mo-, on Sunday
night, We shall hear less OF these Outr8ges."
It's understood that the Rock Island,
the Wabash, the Illinois Central and other
roads will take the same precautions inn
medIately.