The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-05
A FIGHT WITH TRAIN ROBBERS
Desperate Attempt to Rob the. gasseaGsEa
and Express on . Te1ss 5Train-The :.
Fireman Killrd-One Robhar
Captured.


and Express on Te<as Traip-The -
Fireman Killrd-One Robbar
Captured.
San ANTONIO, Texas, June D.
The beldest attempt at train robbery
that ever occurred in Texas or in the
whole country happened at 2. o'clock
this afternoon, near the little village, Of
Breckenridge, in Wilson county, thirty
miles south Of this, city. The train
held, up was the San Antonio. and
Arkansas Pass Passenger No. 2, leaving
here at ! 20 NJ.
The affair. resulted in the killing OF
F. n. Martin,.s fireman.. and the cap
ture Of one Of the robbers. who gives
his. name as J. D. May, q cowboy. AT
Breckenridge the train stopped to tske
water, and asit,pulled out three men
boarded the baggage car, but were not
seen by the train crew.
The engineer pulled out at speed OF
about Is miles an hour, and had just
entered a sharp cnrve>a few hundred
yards from the tank. when a robheT,
May, climbed upon the tender and with
pistol in each hand aimed them at
the engineer and fireman and said :
"Throw up your hands, G. you."
This remark was the first intimation
that the engineer-or MsFtins had that
they were to be held ap. ~
Engineer Turney threwap his hands.
but Martin made q movement as
though he was about to secure pistol
from the box under his seat. The rob
Der then began pouring lead into Mar
tin and emptied one six-shooter into
his body, keeping Turney covered all
the time with heather pistol. Martin
was dead and his-body rolled out ofthe
gangway of the engine and on to the
track, where it was run over by the
wheels and mutilated.
The other. two train robbers, when
they saw the dead body fall out Of the
cab, jumped from their. position on the
baggage car to the platform and made
for the brush.
There were but twopassengers on the
train and each was armed with six
shooter. When they heard thes firing
they rushed upon. the, platform, land as
the two robbers rushed into the brush
a voiley was fred after them.
The robber May, who killed the fire.
man, seeing that,be d-beea deserted,
made last desperate effort atp captpr-
ing the train single-hauded. He
jumped into the cab and ordered En-
gineer Turney to run the train across
Indian River bridge The engineer in
stead of complying put on the air
brakes and the train came .stand.
STILL. The robbese then grasped the
throttle and threR- .herwide open, hut
the train would not make any. head
way, and with a parting shot at the
engineer the robherjamped from the.
engine, and started upthe track onla
Lard~run. s.... ..s-- II
Conductor Steele rushed uptothe en-.
gine with a six shooter 10 his hands. He.
jumped into the cab. and cutting loose.
from the train started with Messenger
Butler and Engineer Turpey in pursuit
of the train robber. The throttle was
pulled wide open and the light engine,
leaped along the track. gaining.on the
fleeing robber, who would turn and:
fire at his pursuers as heran. Finding:
that he, could net reach the bridge over,
the river, where s.eWinchester and
three pals waited for him, the robberr
left the track as the engine was almost
upon him.
The engine was brought to stsndstill
and Conductor Ssesles started after the,
robber single-hsnded. He chased him
into the brush, firing at him as he.
went. The three; robbers at the bridge,
with Winchesters commenced firing at
the conductor and their voliy were
returned by the engineer and the, mes
senger. Conductor. Steele oyerhaQled
the robber he Was after in the brush
and disarmed him of his pistols. The
robbers at the bridge then disappeared,
leaving their Winchesters behind
them.
A United States marshal and posse
of deputies went from here on special
train and are in pursuit Of the robbers.
J. D. May, The man who was captured,
refuses to make, any. statement further
than that it was the intention of the
band to rob theexpress and passengers.
He was taken to Breckenridge for safe,
keeping, as threats were made by rail;
road men that he would be-lynehed If
brought here.
Martin the, fireman, who was killed,
was unmarried. Conductor Steeie will
receive $1,000, the standing reward
from the state for the capture Of train
robbers.
ah Of Hon. A. Walla %