The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-17

Los ANGELES, CAL, Fob. l6.-The bold
est train robbery that ever occurred in
the state took place little after mid
night at Roscoe, smalI station thirteen
miles north Of this city. The train was
the Southern Pacific Overland No. %,
bound north.
Engineer Thomas gave a long blast OF
tho whistle us the train approached tho
switch this side OF Roscoe. His face
blanched as he discovered man stand
ing beside tho switch with ilaring
torch, and his lace assumed Il more livid
hued when he discovered that the
switch had been left open.
The train was going at m unusual
ratio and the momentum it had acquired
precludcd tho possibility OF Immediately
bringing it to standstill to avoid disas-
ter. About tho Same time tho engineer
noted the man with the torch he heard
the sharp cracking OF rovolvers and
many bullets whistled past him, break
ing the windows OF the cab. Almost
instantly tho train crashed over into
tue ditch. At this point there is fill
which runs nearly fifteen feet high.
Knowing the character OF tho place, En-
gineer Thomas jumped and ran, mirac-
uIousIy escaping injury. Fireman Mas
ters WIS not so lucky, however, being
pinloned between the cab and tender
and horribly mutilatod and crushed.
4 tramp, who was stealing q ride, was
also killed.
At the moment OF overturning the
tralni-two mon wearin. slouch hats and
black masks, leaped from the heavy
bushes alongside the track. The two
men took positions on either side Of tho
train and commenced furious fusilade
from revolyers. After this wild and
seemingly purposcless firing, one Of the
men went 10 the express car, pounded
on the door, demanding that it be
opened.
Upon the refusal OF the messenger to
comply the robbers placed three or four
dynamite bombs on tho sill. Then
ensued terrible explosion, nearly the
whole side OF the car being torn into
spinters. Harry Edgar, who had OK
pected this procedure, got into the
iurther corner OF the car, and even then
narrowly escaped death or injury from
the flying splinters. Everything in the
car was shaken up and the detonation
was most terrific.
CONSERVATION prevailed among those
on board the train. Frightened men
and women jumped from their beFths.
Just after blowing up the express car
the robbers, at the point OF Il revolver,
compelled tho extra fireman who had
been riding on tho engine to get into
the car while one robber followed him.
This was done in order TO protect the
Under the command OF the robber tho
extra iiroman carried the contents OF
the locked box, which contained many
sacks oil gold, outside the car whero the
other robbers were waiting. All this
time the robbers kept up furious
!usi!ade, firing iuto the train and into
the car.
After gathering into portable shape
the. supposed valuables, the highway
men turned their attention to the over
iand safe. These safes arc so con-
structcd that it requires much time and
patience to open them, and tho robbers
realized the futility OF attempting it, so
they left it intact aud vented their dis
approval OF their inability to take even
that by Il volIoy from their revolvers.
Alter gathering together their booty
the robbers placed it in gunny sacks,
and mounting horses, gai!Opod of in
the direction OF the mountains.
Brakeman Foster, when ho jumped
IRON the train, cspicd house nearby
with light in one OF the windows. He
ran toward IL with all speed, got = horse
and NJ once rode back 10 Burbank at
furious speed, waking UP tho telegraph
operator and informing the authorities
wha! had taken place. Sheriff Cline
ana three deputies at once started at
: o'clock this morning in Il furious rain
storm to the scene.
Sheriff Cline and the detectives, ms.
ley ana Benson, came back this alter
noon and reported ut railroad head
quarters that they lett Detective Bowler
At LAnker's hill, on the Clearwater park
branch, following the wagon track LETT
by tho robbers. The officers who re-
turned are going TO take another track
according TO plans agreed upon. The
robbers are apparently heading in the
direction OF Nentura. Detective Auble
returned late this evening. He says
there wcrc at least three robbers in the
gang. Two Of them drove in the buck
board and one was on horseback.