Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-09-28
TRAIN ROBBERS FOILED.
The Conductor and Fireman Showed Fight
and Passenger Had Gun.

CENTRALIA, ILL.,, Sept. 21.-Itgo goes on
record for once that a well planned
train robbery has failed of success.
At midnight last night the New Orleans
limited from Chicago reached here.
Three men secreted themselves on the
tod of the express car, and when the
train stopped at the coal chute, a
short distance further on, to take
coal, the robbers climbed down and
over the tender, calling on the engineer
and fireman to throw up their hands.
Instead of doing SO they made for the
robbers who fired, wounding both Sc
verely. The robbers then attacked
the express car, firing numerous shots
through the doors. The express mes
ssugs. and the conductor, who hap
pened to be in the car, replied in kind
till the door was shot full OF holes.
The robbers finally broke open the
the door with a sledge-hammer, and
letting themselves down over the top
OF the car witbgrappling irons renewed
IuC liShb Will thC ihCoSChSCh obu WI
ductor, who meantime barricaded
themselves behind boxes and hampers.
While this was going on a brakeman
warned the passengers, who proceeded
to conceal their valuables.
Among the passengers was a old
time brakeman, Jake Sanders of Du-
quoin, who had a shotgun. He went
at once to the express car and sue
ceeded in bringing down one of the
robbers with q well aimed shot. See
ing that the game was up the other
two robbers fled, having secured
nothing.
1t is understood there was a large
amount OF money in the express safe.
1t is thought the wounded robber will
L. Jones of Oxford Mills, Iowa, evil
IDENTIFY a railroad man, as he carried
card from the Order OF Railway
Trainmen, issued at Chicago, and
switchman's card from the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe at Kansas City.
In the melee Engineer Young received
a bullet in the shoulder, coming out at
the elbow, and another in the back,
lodging in the hip. Fireman Mcdowell
was also twice wounded, once in the
leg and once in the neck. Conductor
Odum was wounded slightly in the
hand.
Jones was hit with a amonkey-wrench
by the fireman, and so badly hurt
that he fell exhausted. The robber
shot by Sanders escaped with the
others. After the robbers fled the
train was backed up to the station, a
new train crew put on board, and
then it proceeded.
| The whole city was reused by the
ringing of fire bells, and the captured
bandit was threatened with lynching
unless he made a full confession. He
said the other members of the gang
were Chas. o. Dwyer OF this city, Jas
Harding OF Danville, ILL.,, and a man
named Nichols. He also implicated a
man named Martin of Duauoin in the
plot, though he took no part in the
robbery. Dwyer's house was i'm
mediately surrounded and his sur
render demanded. His mother re
fused to surrender him, and the party
watched till daylight, when DwyeI
gave HiIlSeii up auu 10 NJ" III jan Will
Jones.
Searching parties are securing the
country for the other two. Dwyel
bears a hard name. Jones said thi:
morning to the Associated Press thai
Dwyer learned this would he thu
most profitable hold-up of any com
ing into the city. Arrangements were
made to meet at Dwyer's after tn,
robbery and divide the swag. Jone.
was to have the most to give to hi'
father, who is poor. Jones is switch
man. He came from st. Louis Mon
day with the other members OF tn,
gang.
This afternoon Mayor Ames Benson
was notified that a move was on foo
to lynch the two bandits immediatel,
after sunset. The prosecuting attor
ney and police magistrate accom-
panied the mayor to the city Jail ant
laid the matter before Jones ant
Dwyer. They were handcuffed ant
accompanied by officers, hurried TO
carriage in waiting, and before an.
r one was aware what was going on tn
conveyance, closely followed by tn
: mayor in a buggy, wasspeeding acros
I the country to Salem, the county seat
The Associated Press
held a private interview with tn
prisoners just before they werespirite