Omaha daily bee., 1894-01-11
Another Holdup on the Burlington Eeaf
st, Joseph, Mo,
ROBBERY OF THE "Ell" BY MASKED MEN
Five Men Do the Job and Meet with No
Resistance Whatever.
HOW THEIR SCHEME WAS CARRIED OUT
Their Work Though Smooth, Bears the
Impress of Amateurism.
wv THEIR SCHEME WAS CARRIED OUT
AMOUNT CT MONEY TAKEN KEPT A SECRET
Railroad and Express oGciais Are Reticcno
on that Score-No One was IuJurcd
During the Fuuction-Looking
for the Robbers.


within several months this city has been
the scene of an attempted train robbery.
On the 2jth Of September last an attempt
to hold up a train on the Council Bluffs road
was frustrated by the officers being IN
formed of the proposed plan. Two Of the
robbers were killed that evening, and an
other was recently sentenced to ten years in
the penteutiary. This was thought to be
sufficient to put stop TO tho operations OF
this kind Of people IN this city, but
tonight another train was held up, and this
time almost within the city limits.
In Regulation style
The Burlington ELI, d" leaving this city at
6:25. was held up this evening about three
miles east of this city by five masked men.
The train WAS stopped by torpedoes being
placed on the track and a red lantern swung
across the track in regulation form.
As soon as the train stopped three of the
robbers boarded the engine with drawn re-
volvers and oruered the engineer and fire.
man to accompany them TO the express car
and order the express messenger to open the
door This they did, and upon being ordered
TO open the door the express messenger did
so, when he was covered with a rifle in the
hands of one of the men. Three others,
with q revolver in each hand, had en-
tered the car and the messenger was
ordered to open the safe which he did The
robbers then took all there was in the safe,
which amount, il is claimed by the officials
of the railroad, VIII not exceed $50 This
statement is not credited here, however, as
Superintendent Hohl of the Burlington road
and w II. Nloseley of the Adams Express
company have been in consultation with the
sheriff and chief OF police, and posse IL
now being organized.
What The Robbers Looked Like.
The following is given as descriptions of
two OF the robbers who were in the express
car: One is tall and slim and wore light
brown suit, with double breasted coat and
no overcoat. The other was short and wore
a black suit black overcoat and black derby
hat The engineer and other trainmen were
unable to give description of the other
three lnen. All of the trainmen think The
robbers were amateurs, as they ,were
nervous all during the affair and appeared
badly excited.
The holdup was first reported from Easton,
the first station out of st. Joseph, and more
extended report was made TO =. II. HoIla-
han, superintendent of the Hannibal ST.
Joseph road, with headquarters at Brook
field, VINO has offered a reward of 500 for
the arrest of each OF the robbers if captured
before tomorrow evening.
Took Everything In Sight.
When the train stopped brakeman went
back to flag the St. Louis train following,
and, while he was several hundred yards
down the track, he asserts he heard shots
fired and suddenly the train pulled out. He
secured q horse and came TO this city and
gave the alarm. He says the robbers entered
the mail ana express cars and took all the
registered mail in the former, and all the
packages in the safe in the latter. The shots
fired If there were any, were probably fired
bv the robbers as the train was ready TO pull
out to frighten the trainrnen. The brake
man followed the "Eli on the ST. Louis
train, which leaves this city about half an
hour atterward, in the hopes Of catching his
regular train. On this account no one was
permitted TO see him and secure complete
report of the holuup
This city has been the scene Of numerous
holdups lately, scarcely a night passing
without one or i ore, and it is thought by
the officers that the robbery OF the train to-
night was the work of some of the more am-
bilious of the thieves.
Made Oniya Small Haul.
W II Mosely of the Adams Express com
pany, has just received telegram from the
express messenger on the train which was
robbed stating that the exact sum secured
by the thieves was S47
Sheriff Carson has a force of deputies
scattered over the surrounding country
looking for the thieves. II has also been
learned that the five men had two rigs and
it is thought they were secured in this city.
a description of these rigs has been secured
and the police force are now making an
effort TO find from whom they were secured.
A strong clew has been obtained by the
police and the prediction is made that the
robbers Will be under arrest inside OF
tweuty-tour hours.