The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-21

Los ANGELES, Cal. Feb. 1s-South-
ern Pacific train No. 20 was robbed at
Roscoe station this morning about
o'clock. This is the place that the same
train was robbed about six weeks ago.
The train was delayed in leaving here
and did not get away until about il 30
last night. 1t vas heavily loaded with
passengers and the Wells-Fargo
company's shipments were unusual
ly heavy. The train reached Bur
bank. about six miles north
of the city. and reported back all right.
At Roscoe, four miles north Of Burbank,
there is no station but siding. As the
train approached the switch the en-
gineer, Thomas, saw. TOO late. that the
switch was misplaced, and vainly tried
TO stop the train, but he could not do it,
and the engine and two fruit cars of
oranges went into the ditch. the engine
turning over and burying the engineer
and fireman. The two 1ruit cars were a
total wreck.
As soon as the wreck occurred three
masked men sprang out Of the bushes
and commenced a fusillade, and every
one knew that the mission OF the des-
peradoes was robbery. A few seconds
later couple of dynamite bombs were
placed under the express car. The mes
senger refused TO open the car and the
whole side was blown off. Brakeman
Foster rose to the emergency as soon as
he heard the shots, and made run for
a neighbOring ranch house, where he saw
light. Here he got a team and drove
back 10 Burbank and gave the alarm.
He can not tell how much the robbers
got but it is probable that they cleaned
out the express car, as they lad their
own way when he left. He said the en-
gineer. Thomas, was badly hurt. as we'll
as the fireman, and DR.. AinswOrJh, the
cOmpany's surgeon here. left on d light
engine for the scene. Foster could not
tell whether any persons were hurt. but
thought they were only badly shaken up.
Two posses Of deputy sheriffs have Just
left fer the scene. and a wrecking train
IS now making up 10 clear the track.
Foster had an idea that Evans and
MoTrell may have participated in the af-
fray but as there were three men. this
is hardly deemed possible. a fusillade
OF pistol shots was continuously kept up,
and it is not unlikely that some OF the
train crew or passengers may have been
hurt before they found out what the
matter was. 1t is almost certain that
the express messenger was hurt, as the
two explosions Of dynamite bombs are
said to have been terrific. At > o'clock
this mornig a surgneon was dispatched
on an engine 10 attend the injured. The
Wrecking train followed.
Later-The wrecked engine went down
the bank ten feet. Engineer Thomas
jumped and run. but Fireman Masters
was pinioned between the cab and ten
der and died as he was taken out.
Harry Edgar. the ex-messenger in
charge of the Well Fargo company, and
the only person in it. gave a version Of
the affair as follows: THE first thing
] knew there was a terrible shock and
/ at once knew there was a wreck, but Of
course did not know what was the mat
ter The explosion Of dynamite bomb
was the next thing heard at the right
hand door. ] was standing near the CEN
ter of the car when the bomb exploded.
1t shattered the door into splinters and
the whole car was soon filled with smoke.
The robbers then began shooting, warn
ing me in the meantime to open the door
quickly. They showed a rife into the
door I Obeyed them under the penalty
Of death. Two robbers came in and got
all they could. / opened the Wells Fargo
box. and they took what little silver
there was. ! saw only two men,"
Besides Arthur Masters, the fireman,
an unknown tramp was killed. The
Wells Fargo express car was rifled OF