Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-09
An Express Train Held Up and
$4,000 Stolen.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT HAS A FALL
The Cunarder Campania Beats the
Paris.
MANY DEATHS FROM CHOLERA
ROBBED AN EXPRESS CAR.
Six Masked Men Hold Up q Train ut Fore
Lawn, III.

Six Masked Men Hold Up Train ut Forest
Lawn, III.
COLUMBIA, ILL., June 9,-Six masked men
held up the New Orleans express on the Mobile
and Ohio railroad at Forest Lawn, eight miles
north of here, at 3 o clock last night and robbed
the express car Of $4,000 in cash and valua-
bles worth a large amount The robbers did
not occupy over twenty minutes time. A large
posse is now in pursuit Of the bandits.
The express makes q short stop at Forest
Lawn, and when IL came 10 q standstill last
night two men jumped upon the engine and
pointing revolyers at the heads of the engineer
and fireman, told them not TO attempt to start
the train again. While this was taking place
four men appeared at the side Of the express
car. One Of them placed a short ladder
against the car and then chopped hole in the
door. 1t took but a moment TO do this and
before the astonished express messenger
realized what happening the door burst
open and the four men were in the car.
HMessenger Branford attempted resistance,
but was silenced by blow with the Ratchet in
the hands of the robber who had chopped the
hole in the door. The bandits lost no time in
ransacking the car.
Branford was only partially stunned BY the
blow he received and his assailants revived him
and forced him 10 open the safe. Its contents
they placed in q sack, together With what other
valuables they secured. Branford was then
oouho, eakseo anu cast lnto corner on the
car.
When the bandits had completed their task in
the express car they jumped to the ground.
The conductor and several Of the trainmen
opened fire on them and they returned il with
interest, though none Of the bullets, so far ne
known, took effect The bandits, who were
armed with Winchesters and revolvers drove
their assailants into the cars and among the
passengers, who were rendered panic stricken
by the fusilade.
A volley Of shots which was apparently fred
for the purpose of intimidation followed, and
then the robbers took to their heels. There
was every chance for them to escape, as the
place is a lonely one with swamp and under
brush on each side of the track for q distance
Of two or three miles.
There is no telegraph station at Forest
Lawn, rendering the summoning Of aid in that
way impossibility. Members of the crew
are positive the bandits numbered six.
Messenger Branford states that everything Of
value was taken from his car. The exact
amount of money he declined 10 name.
One Of the robbers who entered the express
distinguished by his pals as Bob" and
wore chin whiskers. One Of his hands was
bleeding from injuries received in entering the
car. He wore fox-colored suit and weighed
about l4o pounds.
Another one of the robbers who extended his
attention TO the brakeman and made him
obey orders was about five feet eight inches
tall, smooth face, age about twenty-five, weight
las POUNDS The two who waited ON the enRi-
neer were about twenty-five or twenty-five years
Of age. one measuring five feet six inches and
the other about six feet
No other positive description could Be OBJ
tanned, except that they wore masks and dark
suits