The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-22
ROBBERS REPULSED.
These Treasure Seekers Held Up
the Wrong Train.
BLOODY FIGHT WITH THE BANDITS

Three of the Train Crew and One of the
Robbers Shot-The Engineers Condi-
tion CritioaI-The bandits Now Safe
Behind the Bars.
CENrRALIA, Ills, Sept. 22-The New
Orleans limited train on the Illinois Cen
trail road was held up just outside this
city. Two men climbed into the cab over
the tender and presented pistols Mt the
heads of the two trainmen, and ordered
them to stop the train The order was
not instantly obeyed. The robbers, seeing
that Engineer Young was slow, began fir
ing. The first ball struck him in the
shoulder
Fireman Mcdowell attempted to seize
the shovel Tho robbers saw the motion
and directed their fire on him. The first
shot struck Mcdowell in the leg. He OBJ
tanned the shovel and attacked the thief.
The robbers companion renewed the fire,
but Mcdowell succeeded in striking his
opponent blow which sent him tum-
bling from the engine.
Scarcely had the robber fallen when a
second shot struck the plucky fireman in
the forehead He fell to the floor of the
engine cab unconscious. Another shot was
then directed at Young, 1t struck him in
the back making dangerous wound.
The robbers shut down the engine, and
with two other robbers crawled up on to
the roof of the baggage and express car.
They were supplied with ropes, pulleys
and great iron hooks, which were at
tached to the sides and bottom of the car
and the door pulled off.
Conductor Odum had rushed into the
express car when the first shots were fired
into the engine cab and as the robbers
piled into the car Odum and Express Mes
senger Armstrong opened fire. This the
robbers returned, advancing as they fired.
A dozen shots had been exchanged when a
man covered with sacks, and lying in the
corner of the car, sprang up and fired two
shots from double barreled shotgun into
the robbers. The foremost robber fell and
the other two jumped from the car.
The man who came to the rescue of the
conductor and the baggageman was p. ].
Saunders, a discharged Illinois Central
brakeman. Saunders was deadheading
his way to Duquoin, and had kept out of
the way of the conductor as he hurriedly
entered the car. This ended the fight.
Seeing their companions wounded the
other three fled TO the woods
The train ran back to this city bringing
the wounded Jones is shot i'll the head
and face; Engineer Young in the shoulder
and back; Fireman Mcdowell in the leg
anu lOltncuu, anu CONDUCTOR ouu1n IN the
right hand. Engineer Young's condition
is critical
1t is not known how much money was
in the express messengers care, but it is
said that the amount would exceed $50, 600
When safe in Jail the wounded robber
made a full confession. He gave his name
as L. b. Jones, but papers were found on
him addressed to George Jones and Dan
l.. Jones, He said he was from Kansas
City. Jones admitted that he was the
man who shot the engineer and fireman.
He said that he and Charles O'Dwyer, of
this city, with Martin Nichols and ]. Har-
din, had planned the holdup
Nichols and Hardin were captured few
hours after the battle in a corn field not
far from the scene of the "hold up"
O'Dwyer was arrested at his mothers
home in this city. The railway officials
believe that the robbery was planned by
railroad men.