The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-11-08

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, Nov. 3.-East
express train. No. 81, of the st. Louis,
Iron Mountain & Southern, known as
the cannon ball." due here at 2:10 a.
m, was held up and robbed by seven
masked men at Oliphant, Ark. several
miles north OF Newport, at 10 o'clock
tonight Passenger Conductor J. p. Nc
Nally was shot and killed while trying
to protect his train. Oliphant is a
small lumber towu of about three hun
dred inhabitants, situated in a lonely
timber district in White county.
When train No. 81 stopped at the sta
ton two men jumped on the engine and
pointing revolvers at the engineer and
fireman. ordered them to keep still.
The other five men surrounded the ex-
press car, the door of which was open,
and at once began firing a wicked fusi-
lade from their revolvers. Conductor ].
p. McNally drew his revolver and re-
turned the robbers fire, but before he
had succeeded in wounding any of them
he was shot and killed. The robbers
then entered the express car. overpow-
cred the messenger and looted the car.
Leaving two men to guard the train
men, the other robbers proceeded to rob
the passengers. They entered the coach
es and sleepers and at the point of a re-
volver relieved all the passengers of their
valuables.
They then left with a parting volley
taking a northerly direction. A tele-
gram was at once sent to the sheriff at
Newport, who formed a posse and
started in pursuit.
An engine was s1espatched to Augusta
for bloodhounds. kilograms were
quickly sent to Little Rock for assist
ance and a special train left about 1 a.
m. carrying a posse of officers and a
pack of bloodhounds.
The train which was held up is ex-
pected here about 2:15 a. m. bringing
the remains of Conductor McNally. I'm
til this train arrives full particulars of
the robbery cannot be learned.
The railroad people have no idea as to
the amount of money secured by the
robbers. General superintendent Peck
and Division superintendent Rose of the
Iron Mountain, who are in Memphis to-
night, have been notified Of the robbery
by telegraph and have instructed the
railroad people here to offer a large re-
ward for the arrest of the robbers
1t is thought that the robbers had in
tended robbing the north-bound cannon
ball" which passed No. 81 at Oliphant
The south-bound train was on the siding
before the robbers appeared The can
non BALI does not stop at the way sta
tions and went through Oliphant tonight
at full speed. When ii came i'm sight of
Little station the robbers, carrying a red
light, came out and tagged 1t. but it is
supposed the engineer became aware of
the intended robbery. as he paid no at
tention to the signal and went through
the village without stopping. Fooled In
their attempt to hold up the north-bound
cannon ball." they turned their atten-
ton to train No. 81. which was preparing
to pull out, with the result as stated.
kilograms have been sent to the mar
shals at all the towns and officers from
every direction are in pursuit with
bloodhounds. 1t is thought the robbers
are heading for the Indian territory.
Conductor McNally, who was killed
in attempting to protect his train, was
one of the oldest conductors the road