The Yellowstone journal., 1894-10-23
HELD Ui
\ Missouri Pacific Train
Switched Onto a Blind Sid
ing in the Territory.
Two white Ien nd Half a Dozen Hair
breeds MADE Up the Party of
Eobbers

WAGoNEE, l. T., Oct. 2l.-The Kansas
CITY * Memphis express. which left here
at 9:;D last night. was wrecked and
robbed by the Cook gang Of despera
does at Correta, a blind siding five miles
south Of here. The train was running
about twenty miles aud hour. and when
within a. hundred feet Of the switch a
man came out from behind the embank
ment and threw the switch Of the side
track, running the train into string Of
empty cars, Engineer Jas. Harris ap-
pied the air brakes and reversed the
engine. The robbers commenced firing
al the engine and coaches. As soon as
the train stopped two Of the robbers
/ commanded the engineer and fremen to
come down, and as soon as they had
! dlsmounted u4arched them in front uf
them to the baggage ear. Here they
forced Express Messenger Ford to open
the doors by perforating the side Of the
car with bullets. Menwhile. two more
OF the robbers had taken up positions at
the rear end Of the sleeper TO prevent
| anyone FROM escaping. Two OF the 9th.
ers were on the end platform between
the smoker and the baggage car. and
Two more on the platform between the
frst and second coaches, all keeping up
continual firing. The two robbers in
the express car were meanwhile ransack
ing the car. securing all the money in
the local safe. They commanded Ford
to open the through safe, bnt when he
explained that the safe was locked at
the main Office and not opened until il
reached its destination, they left the car.
The two on the front platform started
through the coaches demanding money
and vaiuablcs. As soon as they reached
the rear end Of the coach the tSo men
on that platform started through the
second coach. When they we're about
half way through a freight train follow.
ing behind whistled, and Bill Cook, the
leader. who had all the time remained
outside issuing commands. swearing at
the passengers and shooting, called for
all hands to come out. The men on the
cars jumped out and when all we're on
the ground fired last volley at the
train and disappeared in the darkness.
There were eight or item men in the
party. Two Of then we're white and the
others were half breeds. Jack Mahara
advance agent for Maharas minstrels.
was hit in the forehead by bullet and |
dangerously. il not fatally wounded. |
Walter Barnes, Of Van Buren. ARK, was
also slightly injured by bullet striking
ing him in the cheek. Special Officers |
Hemlick and DiTkson. Of the Missouri |
Pacific, we're ON the train, and also |
Deputy Marshais Bruner and CASHMERE,
but they were covered by Winchesters
in the hands Of the bandits before they
had time 10 make a move.
The train was backed up to this place
for assistance and to give the injured
medical attention. The entire side of
the train was riddled with bullets. The
engine cab was shot to pieces, even the
steam gauge and lamp being shot away.
and the ground around the wreck was
covered with empty shells. Ii was a
miracle that many lives were not lost.
as fully 200 shots were fired.
The Missouri Pacific Immediately
started special train from Little Rock
to carry Superintendent Mckee and
picking up deputy marshals. United
States Agent Wisdom. of Muskogee. has
ordered all Indian police to report for
luty, and will take a train early in the
Conductor W. Duncan. in
;harge Of the robbed train, was inter.
'iewed, and said: Il was in the sleeper
when We struck the cars on the side
rack. / thought it was headend COL
ision. and knowing we were closely fol-
owed by freight train. grabbed red
amp and started back to flag. When l
cached the rear end 1 was confronted
,y two men who ordered me back into
he car. told them we were closely
~ freight and would be run into and
Isked them to let me go back and flag.
)ne of the men replied, We'll. go on and I
hurry up j started back as fast as
'ould but being troubled with asthma | {
ould not go very fast. Two men began
iriug at me and told me to 60 faster.'
Express Messenger Ford declined to {
ay anything further than that the rob.
'ers got everything they could lay their
lands on outside Of the through safe.
he mail car was not molested. The {
oss Of the express company will not ex. Z
eed $500, as instructions had been is- ,
ued to all agents in the territory to re-
Give no money or vaiuables for thia {