Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-02-23
USED DYNAMITE.
Bandits Ditch a Train and Then
Blow Open the Express Car
They Secure Sum OF Money Believed to
Iso Large, and SUI cceed In Escaping
Two Men q flushed Under
an Engine.
CHARGED TO CHRIS EVANS GANG.

CHARGED TO CHRIS EVANS GANG.
Los ANGELES, Cal. Feb. 1o.-Passen-
ger train No. 20 ON the Southern Pa
cific road, which left this city at 1880
o'clock Thursday night, was wrecked
by train robbers at Roscoe station, IL
miles north of here, at l a. III. Friday
The highwaymen blew open the ex-
press car with dynamite and fired sew
eral shots ut the trainmen who at
tempted TO escape.
Fireman Masters and Harry DAILY, a
tramp who was stealing ride were
caught under the engine as it left the
track ard landed in the ditch on it's
side Engineer Thomas jumped and
miraculously escaped.
The robbers made their escape with
several strong boxes belonging to the
Wells Fargo Express company, con-
tanning currency and half dozen
sacks of gold None of the pas
sengers, SO far as known, were
injured. The robbery was the most
daring and cruel piece Of work done in
the west in years, and it is believed
that Chris Evans and Morrell, the
outlaws for whom California officers
have been searching for months,
planned and executed the crime. 1t is
impossible To tell at present how much
money the robbers secured, but as the
express shipments were unusually
large il is certain the gang got away
with rich haul. Posses of officers
are securing the country for the high
waymen.
The train was late in leaving Los
Angeles Thursday night. Besides the
baggage, express and three passenger
cars there were two ears loaded with
fruit for San Francisco. At Burbank, 6
miles north of this city, several rough
looking men boarded the train and it Is
believed they were the accomplices
of the robbers, who were waiting far
Their north to throw the switch and
ditch the train. At Roscoe, u miles
north of Burbank, is short spur of
track leading from the main line to
sidetracls used for switching. As
the locomotive neared the junction
Engineer Thomas saw by the
glare OF the headlight that the
switch was open. He reversed the en-
CINE and tried TO stop the train, but
the heavy load behind was too much to
be stayed in the short distance and the
locomotive and two fruit-cars left the
rails and fell wreck into the ditch.
Before the passengers and Conductor
Odell could realize what had happened
three masked men jumped into view
from the woods adjoining the track
with rifles in their hands. a volley
-
gineer and fireman, who were
struggling TO escape from the tangled
wreck, and then the gang kept up
fusillade of bullets TO terrify the pas
sengers ana prevent them from leaving
the cars.
When the shock of the accident was
felt The accomplices who boarded the
train at Burbank left the rear coach
and hurried TO the express car, which
still stood on the rails uuharmed. They
placed bombs under the car and
blew it TO pieces No trace of
the express messenger has yet
been found, and it is thought he was
killed and buried under the ruins of
his car. The robbers secured several
sacks of gold coin and n number of
packages of greenbacks, mounted
horses, which were tied in the woods
near the railroad, and galloped north.
Foster, the brakeman, was in one of
the passenger coaches at the time of
the accident and realized that robbers
were at work rs soon as he heard
the rifle shots He quietly slipped
from the train and made his
way toward a light he saw
across the country, which proved
to be in farmhouse. Foster got
team at the ranch and after arousing
the neighborhood drove to Burbank
and notified the deputy sheriff at that
place. The Southern Pacific and Wells
Fargo officials in this city were noti-
fed of the robbery and train was sent
at once to the scene.
The gang made their escape on
horses, the railroad officials say, and
have several hours start of the sheriff's
posses, which have given pursuit.
Conductor Odell may be able to give a
description OF the men who boarded his
train at Burbank, but neither Foster,
the brakeman, Hor Engineer Thomas,
can describe the men who first APP
peared and began to fire at the train
crew.
The belief that Evans and Morroll,
who escaped from the Fresno Jail sew
eral months ago participated in tho
robbery is shared by many railroad and
express officials. The job is such a
cold bloodsd and desperate piece of
work that officers familiar with tho
two desperadoes agree that 1t bears
their trademark.