The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1893-09-09
KILLED BY ROBBERS.
EXPRESS MESSENGER CHAP
MAN MURDERED.
The Frisco Hold Up Near Mound City.
Kas., by Three Wells
Fargos safe Escapes Bong Looted, But
tho Passengers Are Robbed.

OswEGo, Kan, Sept 5.-Three men.
one masked, held up Frisco passenger
train No 2, at Mound Valley, Kan,
at 3:l3 o'clock yesterday morning, shot
and instantly killed Express Messen-
ger Charles A. Chapman, robbed near
ly all of the passengers and escaped
Mound Valley is little station only
fifteen miles from the Indian Terri
tory line. The bandits are now pro-
baby safe within that retreat of out
laws
When the train pulled into Mound
Valley two of the bandits boarded the
engine and one remained upon the
platform. A moment later the colored
porter stepped from the train to assist
lady in getting on. A Winchester
was thrust into his face and he was
told to throw up his hands. Instead
of complying he rushed the woman
into the car and locked the door.
Conductor Mills, knowing nothing of
the porter's experience, came forward
from n rear car and met with the
same reception. He, too. refused to
comply with the request to throw up
his hands and ran back to the sleeper.
With oaths they demanded that the
express car door be Immediately
opened. Knowing that the demand
was from robbers, Express Messenger
Chapman remained silent. The robbers
then began spirited fusillade and sent
a half dozen bullets through the
car. Chapman replied with one or
two shots, and then believing it the
better part of valor to escape, passed
through the front door of his car. AS
he emerged the man on the engine
fred and Chapman fell dead. His
body rolled from the platform to the
ground.
Then the outlaws commanded the
engineer to pull out and run until he
was told to stop. One mile and half
down the road he was told to check
up and dismounting, the men pro-
ceeded to rob the train. In killing
Chapman they had shut themselves
out of the Wells-Fargo safe, however,
for it was locked and successfully re-
sisted their blows with coal pick.
Foiled in their attempt to loot the
safe the bandits turned their attention
to the passengers. With the ex-
ception of those in the sleeper, every
man and woman was robbed. Money,
watches, jewelry, hats, coats, and
even a bottle of whisky was taken.
1t is estimated that fully $1,000
in cash and valuables was
secured. Then, leaving the train,
the men disappeared in the darkness
1t is probable that they had horses in
waiting and rode for the territory.
The train was run back to Mound
City, where Chapman's dead body was
recovered, and then continued its
| journey. The unfortunate messenger
lived at Joplin. He was "a years old
and leaves a wife to whom he was
recently married.
When the train reached this place Q
posse was made up and started il
pursuit of the outlaws, but there is
little hope that they will be captured
On board the train was Rufus Cone,
chief of police of Wichita. He and the
negro porter of all the train load were
armed, and they offered no resistance
whatever.
All of the passengers interviewed
say that the robbers displayed cool
ness that was simply remarkable ant
acted like old hands at the business.