The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-05-26
Particulars of the Robbery Of the
Missouri Pacific Train at Pacific,
Missouri.
Train stopped by Signal, Express
Door Blown Open and Messenger
Covered.
Total Amount Secured Was Small,
Being but Little Over Thousand
Dollars.

. ST. Louis. May 20. -One OF the most
daring train robberies of recent years
was that which occurred on the Mis-
souri, Pacific railroad. Train No. 8,
westbound, which left here at $40 p.
M. was held mp by gang of robbers,
one mile west OF the station Of Pacific,
No., at 2:40 q m. The train consisted
of seven coaches, including two sleep
ers, baggage and express cars. The
robbers anticipated q rich haul, for on
the express car was the Through safe"
which con tained money and valuables
en- route for the Pacific coast. In addi-
tion to a heavy train load of passengers,
Governor Stone and State Treasurer
Stephens occupied apartments in the
sleeping cars The train reached Paci-
fic at 9:35 and Express Messenger
Samuel Hammil delivered such matter
as had been billed to that station, then
closing the car door he locked it and
resumed his duties. The train had just
commenced to get under headway
when the engineer was signalled by
the waving of a redlantern. He brought
the train TO standstill and six forms
appeared at the side OF the locomotive.
A seventh, who had
Covered the Engineer
witha revolver. compelled him to step
off his engine. He had him by the side
of the tender, while four of the bandits
went to the express car ana ordered
Messenger Hammil to open the door.
Hammil refused to obey the command,
and the outlaws placed stick of'dyna-
mite under the door and blew hole
two feet in diameter in the door. One
of the robbers inserted revolver, and
pointing 1T at Hammil, threatened to
kill him unless he opened the door. He
complied with the request, and in q
moment three of the robbers jumped
into the car.
Persuaded by a Revolver.
At first Hammil refused to unlock the
safe. but was persuaded to do 30 by q
revolver being placed at his head. The
robbers secured bag containing 81, ,00t
in silver, about $3.50 in currency and Q
batch of Missouri Pacific railroad pay
checks, containing about $2,4O0. They
also took several valuable packages, the
contents of which are not known to the
trainmen. In the meantime the rob
bers on guard outside the car fred sew
eral shots to intimidate the trainmer
and several inquisitive passengers wht
were on the platforms. The passenger
hurried back into the coaches and gav'
the alarm. Then began scramble II
hide watches. money and jewelry. TIL,
lights were turned down in the coaches
and it is thought the robbers feared al
ambush and therefore did not enter the
cars. The whole time OF the holdup dix
not occupy 90 minutes.
Rewards Photographed.
The train stopped at Washington, /
miles west.of the scene of the robbery
and Conductor King telegraphed to tn
railway officials the facts in regard +
4 the robbery. Governor Stone also tele
graphed to Chief OF Police Harrigan 0
this city, Offering reward of $500 TO
each of the robbers. The detective fore
were at once sent to the outskirts. an
search for the bandits was instituted
The robbers were without disguise, bu
IN the excitement over the affair no goo
description has been given. Its thonrht