The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-10-22
WRECKED And ROBBED.
Desperate Work of the Cook Gang
of Outlaws.
A TRAIN THROWN ON A SIDING.

Brought to n StandstIll by Collision with
Went Through the Express Cars and
Passenger Coaohes-Two Passengers Shot.
City and Memphis express, which left here
at $3.50 Saturday night, was wrecked and
robbed by the Cook gang Of desperadoes at
Correta, blind siding, five miles south Of
here. The train was running twenty
miles an hour, and whom within 100 feet
of the switch q man came out from be-
hind an embankment and threw the switch
for the siding running the train into q
string of empty box cars. Engineer James
Harris applied the air brakes and reversed
the engine, while the robbers at once COM
menced firing at the engine and coaches.
AS soon as the train stopped two of the
robbers commanded the engineer and fire.
man to come down, and as soon as they
had dismounted marched them in front of
them to tho baggage and express cars.
Hero they forced Express Messenger Ford
to open tho doors by perforating the side
of the car with bullets. Meanwhile two
moro of the robbers had taken up posi-
ton at the rear end of the sleeper to pre-
vent anyone escaping, two others mounted
the platform between the smoker and bag
gage car and two more were on the plat
form between the first and second coaches,
all keeping up continual firing.
The two robbers in the express car were
meanwhile ransacking that car, securing
all the money in the local safe. They com.
manded Messenger Ford to open the
through safe, but when he explained that
the safe was locked at the main Office and
not opened until 1t reached the destination
they left the car. The two men on the
front platform then started through the
coach, demanding money and valuables.
AS soon as they reached the rear end Of
the Coach the two men on that platform
started through the second coach.
When they were about half through
freight train following close behind whis-
tied, and Bill Cook, the leader, who had
all the time remained outside issuing COM
mands, swearing at the passengers and
shooting, called for all hands to come out
The men on the cars jumped out, and when
all were on the ground fired last volley
at the train and disappeared in the dark
ness. There were eight or ten men in the
party. Two of them were white and the
others were half breeds.
Jack Mahara, advance agent for Ma
hara's MINISTRIES, was hit in the forehead
i
tally wounded Walter Barnes, of Van
Buren, Ark, was also slightly injured by
bullet striking him in the cheek.
Special Officers Hclmick and Dickson,
of the Missouri Pacific, were on the train,
and also United States Deputy Marshals
Drummer and Casaver, but they were COW
cred by Winchesters in the hands of the
bandits before they had time to make a
move. Casaver lost watch and six
shooter
The train was backed up to this place for
assistance, and to give the injured medical
attention. The entire train was completely
riddled with bullets, every window being
broken. The engine cab was shot all to
pieces, even the steam guage and guage
lamp being shot away, and the ground
around the wreck was covered with empty
shells. 1t was miracle that many lives
were not lost, as fully 200 shots were fired.
Conductor Duncan, in charge of the
wrecked train, said:
II was in the sleeper when we struck the
cars on the side track. thought 1t was q
head end collision, and knowing that we
were closely followed by freight grabbed
red lamp and started back to flag. When
I reached the rear end was confronted by
two men, who ordered me back in the car.
l told them we were closely followed by
freight, and would be run into and asked
them to let me go back to flag them. One
of the men replied WELL go on, and
hurry up started back as fast as 1
could, but being troubled with asthma
could not go very fast. The two men be-
gan firing at me and told me to go faster"
Express Messenger w. 4. Ford, declined
to say anything further than that the rob-
bers got everything they could lay hands
on outside of the through safe The mail
car was not molested The loss of the ex-
press company will not exceed $500, as in
structions had been issued to all agents in
tho territory to receive no money or yalu-
ables for this train, and only the company
money, remitted by local agents, was car
ried outside of the through safe.
Four armed men called at tho section
house at Rose Station, six miles north of
here, about 10 O'Clock yesterday, and at the
points of Winehesters compelled the fore
man to prepare their dinners They are
well armed and are thought to BIO part
of the band. The entire gang of eight
were encamped last night on the banks of
Bull creek.
RrookIyn9 Vraasurx Tantad