Evening journal., 1893-06-09
SIX MASKED MIN
Systematically "HOld Up"
and Rob a Train.
THEY TAKE EVERYTHING
And Fill Up Their Sacks With
Despatch,


Fire That Is Opened Upon Them By
the Trainmen Whom They Have Left
Unbound They siienoed the Express
Messenger with One Blow Of a Death
Dealing Hatchet- Then They Revive
Him and Make Him Open tho Safe
Which They Rifle Completely Meantime
Two Masked Mon Hold at Bay the
Engineer and Fireman with Two Rifles.
COLUMBIA, H., June 9.-Six masked
men held up the New Orleans express on
the Mobile and Ohio railroad at Forest
Lawn, eight miles north of here at 8
o'clock last night, and robbed the ex-
press car Of $4,000 in cash and valu-
ables worth large amount.
The robbery did not occupy over
twenty minutes time A large posse is
now in purs uit Of the bandits. The ex-
press makes short stop at Forest Lawn,
and when it came to a standstill last
night two men jumped upon the engine
and pointing revolvers at the heads Of
the engineer and fireman told them not
to attempt to start the train again.
bandits Lost No Time.
While this was taking place four men
appeared at the side of the express car.
One Of them placed short ladder against
the car and then chopped a hole in the
door IL took but a moment TO do this
and before the astonished express mes
senger realized what was happening the
door burst open and the four men were
in the car.
Messenger Branford attempted resist.
ance, but
Was silenced by Blow
with the hatchet in the hands of the
robber who had chopped the hole in the
door.
The bandits lost no time in ransacking
the car. Branford was only partially
stunned by the blow he received and his
assailants revived him and forced him tc
open the safe.
The Safe Contents in a Sack.
It's contents they placed I'm a sack
together with what other valuables thel
s ecured. Branford was then bound
agged and cast into corner Of th
car
When the bandits had completed thei
{ ask in the express car they jumped 9
he ground. The conductor and severa
Of the trainmen opened fire on them ant
hey returned 10 with interest. thougl
none of the bullets so far as known tool
effect.
Passengers Rendered Panio-stricken.
The bandits who were armed will
Wirchesters and revol 5ers drove theil
assailants into the cars and among th'
passengers who were rendered panic
stricken by the fusillade A volley o
shots was heard, apparently fred fol
the purpose Of intimidation and then the
; robbers took to their heels.
Had Every Chance to Escape.
, There was every chance for them Il
escape as the place is lonely one wit
swamp and underbush on each side O
the track for distance Of two or thre
miles
There is no telegraph station at Fores
Lawn, rendering the summoning of al
in that way an impossibility. Member
of the crew are positive that the bandit
numbered six.
Everything of Value Taken.
messenger bfuulOiu 6LdleS luAl every
0 thing of any value was taken from hi
car. The exact amount of money he de
r clines to name. One of the robbers wh
entered the express car was addressed b
e his pals as Bob" and wore chi
o. whiskers. One of his hands was bleedin
from injuries received in entering the ca
: He wore fox -colored suit and weighe
about l40 pounds.
The Bandits Evidently Young Men.
Another one of the robbers who el
70 tended his attentions to the brakema
and made him obey orders. was about
feet, 8 inches tall; smooth face, az
e about -. weighed l45 pounds.
The two who waited on the engines
: were about % or 2j years old one mea
p uring feet, 6 inches and the oth'
y about feet No other positive descri
u tion could be obtained of the others, e,
cept that they wore black masks an
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