Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-10-25

CALvERToN, VA, Oct. 3d. Before
being brought to Fredericksburg,
Charles j. Searcey, the Aqua creek
train robber, made confession which
was taken down, put into type-writing
and is now in the hands of the proper
authorities. There were put two men
concerned in the robbery. Morgapfeld
and 6earoey. They had known each
other before and had talked of o scheme
of that sort, but Searcey for some time
refused to go into it. They finally met
in Washington and there agreed to rob
a train, but fixed on no particular one.
From Washington they came down to
fredericksburg, hanging about there
for two or three days, staying in the
woods most of the time, but coming
into Fredericksburg several times. On
the afternoon of the day of the robbery
they walked over to Brook Station from
Fredericksburg and there waited for
the north. bound train.
They got on the train at Brook in the
darkness behind the tender, having been
hidden near the pickle factory under a
box car. When tho train stopped they
had NO particular reason for selecting
Aqua creek as the spot for the robbery.
Morganfield blew open the car door with
dynamite, using half stick, with fuse
and cap in the end. Morganfield also
entered the car, while Searcey stood out
side and terrorized TIE passengers and
the train crew. After the robbery they
got oil the engine and struck northwest
over the county road, going to Galyerton
Station, i'll Fauquier county, and then
TO Midland and Bealston, and on by tire
Fauquier 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
agreed to go and show where these
things, consisting mostly of bonds and
bank drafts, were hidden. On Monday
he was taken in team from Fredericks
burg, with Mr.. Robert Pnkerton oil
New York; Sergeant 9. w. Ellington Of
Fredericksburg, and MIR. W. Seymour
White, commonwealth attorney for
Stafford county, over the route travelled
by him in trying to escape, to endeavOl
to locate the spot where the bonds had
been hidden. Monday night the party
spent with ex.Sheriff Hugh Adie Of
Stafford. After breakfast with Mr.. Adie
the party set out to find the place where
Morgantield and Searcey divided the
money and hid the express pouch con
tanning the bonds and drafts. UI
through the Stafford roads they went Il
Statfurd's store on to Bristowsburg and
to Calyerton, Searcey trying to remem
Der the rohd he and Ills pal travelled anc
the place he left the road, but wher
Calverton was reached he had failed
to identify any OF tho roads. From
Calyerton the party drove to Catletts
and from there back on the road IL
Stafford's store. About three miles
from Catletts Searcey identified the
place where he left the road and took
TO the woods. Driving into field th,
horses were tied behind haystack ant
the search for the bag began. Tht
shades of evening ware falling ant
Searcey, handcuifed to Pinkerton, will
Sergeant Ellington, cx-Sherlff Adie and
Commonwealth Attorney White spread
out through the pines. Searcey hat
described the spot exactly, but al
hours search failed to find ii. Ii wa.
getting quite dark when Mr.. Adie called
out that he had found the spot, and al
parties FASTENED up to where, under thu
roots of blown down tree, just Il:
Searcey had described, the bag wa:
taken out. Its contents were not exam
ined The party drove at once back t.
Calverton, where the bag was sealed
and shipped to the Adams Express
Company at Washington. The part,
will spend the night here and drive
back to Fredericksburg in the morning