The Forrest City times., 1894-02-23
ALLEGED TRAIN RosBER.

 A Man Claiming to he James Rapheiford
 of SiIoam, Benton County, Ark. Arrested
 in Denver, Col. for Participating in the
 Ofyphsnt Hold Up-He is Said 10 Have
 Made a Confession.
 Detective Thiele, of St. Louis was at Denver, Col, a few days ago. with James Raphelford, of Siloam, Benton county, Ark, who was charged with participating in the Olyphant (Ark.) train robbery. Detective Thiele was accompanied by another detective, and while arresting Raphelford at Den- yer revolver was dropped and Thiele was badly wounded. Raphelford was taken to jail. But it was not believed in Denver that he would be held.
 It is said that Raphelford confess ed to two Denver reporters all about the Olyphant robbery. His words were taken down, and appeared as follows in a Denver paper:
 ''T was one of the Iron Mountain train rob- bers, and have been bounded by detectives from that moment until now l knew that was shadowed when l left home. and have been expecting every moment to be captured since leaving Carroll Junction. where 1 took the train for Denver. I was on my way to the United States of Colombia It isn't pleasant 10 be hunted with real bloodhounds for weeks and by human bloodhounds for months but that has been my experience.
 "I was farmer near Siloam. Benton county. Ark. and my 20 acre farm worth about sl0.00). was morfgaged for all 1t was worth. owing to the rascality of two men who went in with me on a land deal. Early last fall a man named Jim Wyriek made the proposition to hold up d train laughed at him at first and told him that did not intend to risk my liberty by any 0urh hut h,r attu h ell 1nxu and finally got me by picturing Tor me the easy way in which we could get rich.
 About four weeks before the train was robbed at Olyphant. Wyrick came back for me. and. accompanied by Tom Brady and two strangers known to me only by the names of Manshur and Paget. we left with my team and wagon for the place selected It was a :0O- mile jaunt and we arrived there about the 1st of November Wyrick had information about some train which carried large sums of money between St Louis and points in Texas. and on the night set all trans were likely to carry big money to pay bills maturing November f.
 We were after the north-bound train. known as the Cannon Ball, and when it came along, Wyrick sent Brady out to stop if with red lantern. The engineer paid attention 70 our signal but. instead. increased the speed and dashed through Olyphant at furious rate. This queered eur chances at this point, and rather than quit without any plunder. we tackled the south bound train.
 Now. as far as I concerned l was . tenderfoot. and was detailed by Wyrick to watch the outside and prevent anybody from approaching. was instructed to keep my gun hot. so as to frighten the passengers. and did so, firing always at he top of the car. or in the air was not on the station side when the conductor appeared. and did not see him at all The men on that side were Jim Wyrick and Manshur. the stranger
 There were eight men in the party. and every man knew exactly what he was to do. We did not get much on the job and the stuff we got from the passengers was lost during the hot chase given us by the sherih's posse left the others near the Missouri line. and went on to my home, arriving there about three weeks afterwards For nearly three months my home has been watched. and. although l have seen the officers and they have seen me, too, l have managed to. eyade them. It was my first criminal offense. and l would not have cared much had 1t not been for my family. At last I grew tired of this hunting business, and decided to go to South America. Iwent to Carroll Junction and from there got train connecting me with the Santa Fe, and on that line l came to Denver had enough money with me 10 take me to place of safety. l had not gone far before knew that was being shadowcd. Everywhere I would go I would see pair of detectives watching me, and l momentarily expected ar rest
  Bend, and for two days I suffered much agony as any man can who is blockaded in snow and hunted by detectives did not ex pect to get away. for there were several in the party, so calmly awaited events. At Denver was surprised that they should allow me to leave the train. and could see them close be- hind as passed through the depot doors.
 II had just entered the wating-r room when a man jumped from behind the door and threw his arms around me. l had 'valise in one hand and coat in the other and l stumbled and fell. When started to get up l found Q pistol at my breast and ordered to lie down. I was then ironed hand and foot. My gun I always carried under my armpit and when they took it from me they let it drop on the floor and it exploded. The bullet entered the knee of the man who had thrown his arms about me and he was taken away while l was brought here
 A state convention has been organ ized in Little Rock by the young col ored men of the Baptist denomination. They were present from all parts of the state, an1 their object is to aid in completing the new building of the Arkansas Baptist college, now in course of erection.
 N. F. Dentz was awarded a verdict of s1 ,0oO. in the Hot Spring county cir cult court, against the Iron Mountain for the accidental killing of his child.
 A young man was arrested at Pine Bluff for cruelty to animals for throw ing a goose over fence, thereby twist ing its neck. A jury acquitted him.
 Bentonville has agreed to build s5,- 900 college for Prof. !. R. Roberts. late of Pea Ridge academy. It will be ready