The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-10-27
CARS RlDDLED WITH BULLETS.
Advance Agent MahaD, of Maban's Circus
Hit in the Head and Dangerously,
If Not Fatally Wounded.


peradoes at Correta, blind siding five
miles south of here. The train was run
ming about 20 miles an hour, and when
within 100 feet of the switch man
came out from behind an embankment
and threw the switch of the sdetrack,
running the train into a string Of
empty boxcars. Engineer James Har-
ris applied the air brakes and reversed
the engiue, and the robbers commenced
firing at the engine and coaches.
AS soon as the train stopped two of
the robbers commanded The engineer
and fireman to come down, and as soon
as they had dismounted they marched
them in front of them TO the baggage
and express cars. Here they forced
Express Messenger Ford to open the
doors by perforating the side of the car
with bullets. Meanwhile two more of
the robbers had taken up q position at
the rear end of the sleeper to prevent
anyone escaping; two others mounted
the platform between the smoker and
baggage car, and two more the plat
form between the first and second
coaches, all keeping up continual
firing.
Safe and Passengers Robbed.
Two robbers in the express car were
meanwhile rausacking the car, secur-
ing all the money in the local safe.
They commanded Ford to open the
through safe, but when he explained
that the safe was locked at the office
and could not be opened until it
reached its destination they left the
car. The two on the front platform
then started through the coach, de-
handing money and valuables. AS
soon as they reached the rear end of
the coach the two men OIL that plat
form started through the second coach.
When they were about half way
through, freight train following close
behind whistled, and Bill Cook, the
leader, who had all the time remained
outside issuing commands. swearing at
passengers aud shooting, ordered a re-
treat. The men on the cars jumped
off and, when 81 were on the ground,
fired the last volley at the train and
disappeared in the darkness. There were
eight or 10 men in the party. Two of
them were white and the others half
breeds.
Only Two Passengers Hit.
Jack Mahan, advance agent for Ma
hans circus, was hit in the head by a
bullet and dangerously, if not fatally
wounded. Walter Barnes, of Van
Buren,, Ark, was also slightly injured
by bullet striking him in the cneek.
Special Officers Helmick and Dickson
of the Missuri Pacific we're on the
train, and also Deputy Marshals Bru-
ner and CASHMERE, but they were COW
cred by Winchesters in the hands of
the bandits before they had time TO
make move.
The train was backed up to this
place for assistance ana 10 give the in-
jured medical attendance. The entire
side of the train was completely rid
died with bullets. The engine cab was
shot all to pieces, even the steam
gauge and gauge lamp being shot
away, and the ground around the
wreck was covered with empty shells.
1t was miracle that many lives were
not lost, as fully 200 shots were fired.
The Missouri Pacific Immediately
started special train from Little
Rock, carrying Superintendent w. }.
Mckee and picking up deputy mar
shals. United States Agent Wisdom
of Muskogee has ordered all indian DO
lice to report for duty, and will take a
train early in the morning.
The Conductors Story.
The conductor in charge of the
robbed train, when interviewed, said:
III was in the sleeper when we struck
the cars on the sidetrack. l thought
1t was a head end collision, and know
ing we were closely followed by a
freight train, l grabbed red lamp and
started back to flag. When l reached
the rear end / was confronted by two
men who ordered me back into the
car. told them we were closely fol-
lowed by freight and would be run
into, and asked them TO let me go back
10 flag them. One Of the men replied,
We'll, go on, and hurry up.' l started
back as last as / could, but being
troubled with asthma could not GO
very fast Two mem began firing at
me and told me to 60 faster"
Express Messenger w. &. Ford de-
clined TO say anything further than
that the r. buer- got every thing they
could lay haud, on outside OF the
through safe. lie mail car was not
molested. ! lie loss at tie express COM
pany will not exceed 5000. as instruc-
tions had ueen Issued TO all agents in
the territory 20 receive no money or
valuaeles for this train. Six men did the
work and were not the least bit afraid
Of being captured.
-Four armed men called at the section
house az Ross station, six miles north
of here. al 10 o'clock today, and az the
point OF Winchesters compelled
the section foreman to prepare
their dinner. They were armed TO
the teeth and thought to be part Of
the band. After dinner they started