The sun., 1893-03-26
PLOTTED TO ROB A TRAIN.
ERUsTRA7ToN OF A REMARKABLE
CONsPIRACY.


They "squeaicd"-scverni OF tho Con-
spirntor- Arrested-ono Man Confessed.
ST. LOUIS. March 2G.-Confned in tho Four
Courts are four mon and woman. who arc
the principals in most complete train-rob-
binR conspiracy. For thoroughness the plan
overshadows the famous Jim Cummings Job
OF years ago. and the Glendale hold-up. per-
petrated on Nov. so. 1901.
Five men were to do tho work. and every
precaution was taken to prevent any mis-
chance. Those In custody are: James f. Cos
ney alias Lowe. alias Huntington. alias Ro-
land: II. Gehner. % years old Louis Lutz.
alins Kindllngs. 81 years old: Clark Goodwin.
alias Charley. II years old: John Heed 90.
and Minnie Meyers. alias Lowe Robert
Weathered. alias Leech. the fifth man. es-
capped from the city.
Chief Desmond reviewed the first lnforma-
ton OF the plot on Friday morning. 1t
came in the shape OF message conveying the
knowledge that scheme WAS under way to
loot one Of the outgoing Saturday night trains.
A saloon at 7OU South Fourth street was
mentioned as rendezvous. as was the d!sor-
derly house OF Jessie Meyers. at BO2 Clark av
enue Good descriptions were furnished Of
tho men.
Chief Desmond at once conferred with Chief
Reedy. who hastily summoned the managers
OF all the express companies to his Office. and
also sent for leading railroad men. The con-
ference was secret
The Chief issued an order Tor all the special
officers to assemble at the Four Courts this
evening. and also picked out seventy patrol
men who were ordered to appear in plain
clothes.
Eight trains went out westward tonight.
and 1t was the Chiefs idea to place from eight
49, &on I'M ,,.ttl nh ria
aboard each train. The railroad companies
promised TO furnish as many more.
Shortly after 8 O'Clock three OF the robbers
left the saloon and had walked down Plum
street half q block, whom the officers arrested
them. Lutz had pair Of 49, -calibre Colts re-
yolyers in his pockets Tho prisoners wore
taken to the Four Courts ard locked up
Search was then made for the other pair.
It was learned that Wenthered had left the
city and Goodwin was sought. He was found
in the Meyer woman's place. and was caught
while sneaking out OF the back door.
He had 44-calIbre revolver in his pocket
and handful of extra cartridges.
The house was next searched In the room
OF Minnie Meyers were found six masks made
out OF brown cambric. and three sticks Of dyn-
amite with fuses and percussion caps. The
Meyers woman was taken to the Four Courts
with Goodwin. Gosney. Lutz. and Goodwin
made confessions. Lutz was the first to
weaken. He eaid:
II first met Gosney. or Huntington. as I
knew him last summer. He told me then that
he hailed from Texas. and some day no would
branch out In the train-robbing business. He
mover work ed. and was kept up by Minnie
Meyers. who was his mistress. Last Saturday
he sent me message telling me to meet him
on Monday In tho saloon at 7S South Fourth
street. did so. There found Gosney. Good
win. Weathered. and another man. Gosney
took US into an isolated room. He
snid that all OF us were cut OF
work. and he had safe method OF making a
largo sum for each Of us. 1t WAS to rob a
train. He said he had inquired at tho express
Offices and learned that not less than $1,000
was taken out on every Saturday night run on
the Iron Mountain or Frisco Railroad. He
had been over the ground. ard laid out plan
Of campaign.
He made us all enter into com pnct not to
betray one another. and to recognize him as
Captain and implicitly obey all his COM mmands.
II we decided to commence on the Iron Noun
tain we would do the work ut
point about one milo this side OF Jefferson
barracks. Gosney's plan was to secure dyna-
mite cartridges. revovers. and a red signal
light. When the train hove in sight one OF us
was to signal her to stop. When 1t stopped
four OF us were to surround the engine and
compel the engineer and fireman to step down.
One man would be left to guard them. two
would look after the passengers and Gosney
and Goodwin were to get the money. Gosnsy
said he would order the express messenger to
open the car II he refused. the fireman would
be forced to assai the door with q pick
and this failing. Gosney said he would open it
with dynamite cartridge. II the safe proved
to be through or time lock affair or the mes
senger refused to open it. Gosney said no
would blow the iron receptacle to pieces. For
his leadership he expected 10 per cent. OF the
whole booty in addition to an equal divide OF
the remainder.
Tho plan was adopted. Gosney bought the
dynamite caps and fuso at the L. c. Meacham
Arms Company. telling the salesman that he
wanted to blow up stumps ] bought
two revovers. pnwning my diamond we'd
ding ring to raise tho money. Gosnsv
and wade thu mask. IN Ninnia M.rars,s
anu aaauo .ho ihaeAs !" 'uinn'o "e'e'Ss
rooms using the lining OF one OF her dresses.