The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-26
DETAILS OF THE ATTEMPT.
The Battle Between the Robbers and
the Detectives.


CORN, No, Sept. 1S.-The Colorado
& Utah express on the Santa F'e was held
up by robbers at 800 a. m. today. Owing
TO the fact that the railroad and express
officials had SPY on the trail OF the
bandits, when they stopped the train
they met a hail of buckshot and bullets,
and ii is said that at least two are dead
in the surrounding woods. while as many
otheYs rode for their rendezvous, twenty
one mnss away. filed with Ieaden pellets.
They were novices in the art Of train
robbery and brutal ones al that, for they
shot Dad" Prescott, the engineer, be
fore they even gave him a chance TO
hold up his hands. His wound, il is be-
lieved, will not prove fatal
The raid was planned three weeks ago,
but not put into execution until this
morning. When the tram left Chicago
at . O'Clock last evening, railroad and
express detectives, all walking arsenals,
climbed on. Chief Detective ]. J. Kin
ney Of the Santa Fe, with @. G. Mont
g0mery, his right hand man, boarded it
at Joliet. AT Streator they were Joined
by two more men, who have been patrol
ing the line for twenty days. ]. A Mat
thews, who has been acting the spy for
the last two weeks and getting the news
or their plans put in an appearance at
G3lesburg. He brought news that the
would-be robbers met early in the day
and decided to leave their hiding-place
near Memphis at $50 o'clock last night
and make their attempt TO get rich at
the expense Of the express company.
They expected 70 make q haul Of at
least $4,000. the Monday run always be-
ing much heavier than any other day of
the week.
When the train reached Fit Madison
Ia, shortly after midnight Division Su-
perlntendent stockton Of the Wells-FaT
go express company got in the treasure
car. He carried a sawed-olf Wine ester
with a history. IT belonged to Bill Dali
ton, and it was to be poetic justice 10
turn it loose upon followers in the foot
steps Of the Kansas desperate. With
him were four Ilen. Their arms We're in
the car, and had been for several Gays.
Then council Of war was 1eld. 1t was
first proposed 10 ambuscade TIE force be-
hind a barrlcade Of trunks AMI boxes n
the express car and allow the robbers TO
enter. The messenger was to throw UP
his hands, and kneel down 20 the safe.
Then he was to fall on the floor and the
Winchesters would begin tc bark. Two
men were to be stationed On the ergine
10 protect the trainmen and another "as
to guard the rear. This chelne was firal-
~ abandoned. The plan adopted was
this; Detectives Kinney and Mcnt-
gomery boarded the engine, Superlntend-
ent Stockton and two of his good shots
tarried IN the express car, but ii was in
the forward end Of the smoking car thar
the 2orces were massed A partition ami
door incloses nalf a dozen seats and shuts
Off the rest Of the car from IL. There
the men, a dozen OF them, were secretpd.
Each one of them had one Of the sawed
offs" every cartridge loaded pe2ialIv
for the event with TWO dozen buckshot.
There was only one passenger in that
compartment, and he was requested by
the brakeman 10 take a seat in the chair
car. as "they were going TO sweep" At
2 o'clock Sheriff Salin OF Scotland county
climbed on board. and details of the sur
prise party We're arranged.
There was one man, however, who had
20 be looked out Tor and protected. He