The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-31
SGARCSY CONFGSSES.
a Long but Successful Search for the
Stolen Bonds and Stocks,

CALvERToN, Va, Oct. 23.-Before
being brought to Fredericksburg,
Charles }. Searcey, the Acquia Creek
train rObber, made confession which
was taken down, put into typeTriting
and is now in the hands OF the proper
authorities.
There we're but two men concerned
in the robbery. Morganfield and Scar
cey. They had known each other be-
fore an had talked Of scheme Of that
sort, but Searcey for some time refused
to 60 tnto it. They finally met in
Washington and there agreed to rob a
train, but fixed on no particular Que.
From Washington they came to Fred
ericksburg and hanging about there
for two or three days, staying in the
woods most Of the time, but coming to
Fredericksburg several times. On the
afternoon of the day Of the robbery
they walked to Brooks Station from
Fredericksburg and there waited for
the northbound train. They got on the
train at Brooks In the darkness, behind
the tender, having been hidden near
the pickle factory under a box car.
When the train stopped they had no
particular reason for selecting Acquai
Creek ss the spot for the robbery.
Morganfield blew open the Car door
with dynamite. using a half stick with
fuse and cap In the end. Morgan6eld
also entered the car, while Searcey
stood outside and terrorized the train
crew and passengers.
After the robbery they got off the
engine and struck northwest over the
country road, going to Calverton Sta
tlon In Faquiere county and then to
Midland and Balston and on by the
Faquiere White Sulphur Springs, fol.
lowing the telephone line to Front
Royal. Near Calverton they hid in the
woods some of the goods they had got
ten from the express car.
After being brought here, Searcey
offered to 60 where these things, con-
sisting mostly Of bonds and bank
drafts, were hidden. On Monday he
was taken In team from Fredericks.
burg with Mr.. Robert Pinkerton of
New York, Sergeant G. w. Edrington
of Fredericksburg and Mr.. W. Sey.
mour White, Commonwealth attorney
for Stafford county, over the route
travelled by him In trying to escape,
to endeavor to locate the spot where
the bonds had been hidden.
Monday night, the party spent with
ex. Sheriff Hugh Adie of Stafford. At
ter breakfast with Mr.. Adie, the par
ty set out to find the place where Nor.
garfield and Searcey divided the mon
ey and hid the express pouch contain
ing the bonds and drafts. UP through
the Stafford roads, they went by Staff
ord's store on to BristoWburg and to
Calvertop, Searcsy trying to remember
the road be and his pal travelled and
the place he left the road. From Cal:
verton the party drove to Catletts and
from there back on the road to Staff
ord's store.
About three miles from Catiettes,
Searcey identified where they left the
road and took to the woods. Driving
into field, the horses were tied behind
a haV stack and the search for the bag
began. The shades of evening were
falling and Searcey, handcuffed to Pin
kerton, with Sergeant Edringtop, ex
Sheriff Adie and Commonwealth At
torney White spread out through The
pines. Searcey had described the spot
exactly, but an hours search failed tC
find 1t. 1t was getting quite dark
when Mr.. Adie called out tnat be had
found the spot and all parties FASTENED
up to where, under the roots OF a blown
down tree, just as Searcey had describ-
ed, the bag was taken out. I2s con,
tents were not examined. The party
drove at once back to CalvertOn where
the bag was sealed and shipped to the
Adams Express Com pany at Washing
ton. The party will spend the night
here and drive back to Fredericksburg
in the morning.