Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-01-13

ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, Jan. II. - Five
masked men held up the Burlington
train which runs from here to Cameron
to connect with the ELI" at 6:a5 o'clock
last night, but secured only 81. S0-less
than $40 each. The bandits missed q
package Of $4,000 in cash which the
messenger threw under the stove and
were prevented by Postal Clerk Cages
bravery from entering the mail car
where there was much valuable regis
tered mail.
The train had reached point about
three miles beyond the city limits when
the engineer was startled by the explo-
sion of three track torpedoes and was
induced to stop by the sight Of a red
lantern swung in front of the train.
As soon rs the cars had come to
stop one of the bandits forced the en-
gineer and fireman to dismount Four
others Joined them and all started for
the express car. the leader saying:
Come along with us and have your
friend the express messenger. open
the door: he knows you better than
he does us. we want to make call"
Express Messenger Wetzel was busy
with his packages at the time and.
when the knocks came. he instructive
Nv suspected that mischief was on foot.
When the robbers fred two or three
shots he was certain and he kicked
package of $4,000 in bills consigned
to the Commercial national bank
Of Chicago under the stove OF
the car Then he opened the
door and the robbers entered. There
was only one small safe in the car and
this contained only s47.s0. The men
covered Wetzel with rifles and revol.
vers. After they had cleaned out the
safe. with oaths and grumbling they
asked if that was all there was in the
car. The messenger assured them that
it was and they climbed down without
looking about the car.
In the meantime the Postal Clerk
Gage had barred the door OF his car
and revolver in hand. was ready for
the bandits. The outlaws. however,
merely tried the door and did not at
tempt to break in. in consequence.
they missed another rich prize for the
registered pouche, were the most valua-
BILE sent from this citv for months
The men. after trinr few shots. or
dered the trainmen u proved. and
after shooting several tima> more dis
appeared in the darkness.
At Saxton the train stopped and the
hold-up was rep,rted to the main offices
here and Superintendent Houlehan at
once offered reward of $40 each for
the bandits.
One of the outlaws was tall and slim
and wore light brown suit with
double breasted coat and no Ovcrcoat.
The other wore black suit, black over
coat and black derby hat The engineer
and other trainmrn were unable to
give a description at the other three
men. who remained IN the outside
while the robbers were rifiing the safe
in the express car All OF the train
men are of the opinion that the robbers
were amateurs. for during the whole
proceeding they appeared nervous and
very much excited. ant all OF their
work seemed Ia be very much bungled.
1t Is almost certain that it was the
work of local talent and the police are
certain that the meu will be captured.
1t has hardly been four mouths since
the attempt was made to hold up
train on the Council B,nffs road. in
which two ot the robbers were killed
and the other sent Id the penitentiary.
The failure made At this attempt, and
the untimely end Of the would-he fol-
lowers Of the James gang, was thought
sufficient 10 tie an awful example To all
law breakers in this city. but the event
of last night shows that they are fully
as bold rs were the CUES who made the
failure, for last nights robbery was
hardly more than outside the city limits.
Express Messenger Wetzel returned
this afternoon and was at once taken
in charge by W. II. Mosely. Of. the
Adams Express Coz and could not he
seen in regard 10 the robDery.
At late hour this afternoon the Of
Hcers have several meo under strict
surveillance. They will not be ar
rested IL they STAY here. hut any move
ill 1. ~ L.