Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-02-24
USED DYNAMITE.
Bandits Ditch a Train and Then
Blow Open the Express Oar.
They Secure sum of Money Believed to
30 Large, and Succeed in Escaping
Two Men Crushed Under
an Engine.
CHARGED TO CHRIS EVANS GANG.

CHARGED TO CHRIS EVANS GANG.
Los ANGELES, Cal, Feb. 19.-Passen- |
ger train No. 20 on the Southern Pa |
cific road, which left this city at 11:30 |
o'clock Thursday night, was wrecked |
by train robbers at Roscoe station, IL |
miles north of here, at l a. m. Friday |
The highwaymen blew open the eX-
press car with dynamite and fired sew
eral shots at the trainmen who at
tempted to escape.
Fireman Masters and Harry DAILY, a
tramp who was stealing ride, were
caught under the engine us it left the
track ard landed in the ditch on it's
side. Engineer Thomas jumped and
miraculously escaped.
The robbers made their escape with
several strong boxes belonging to the
Wells-F Fargo Express company. con-
tanning currency and half dozen
sacks of gold. None of the pas
sengers, so far as known, were
injured. The robbery was the most
daring and cruel piece of work done in
the west in years, and it is believed
that Chris Evans and Morrell, the
outlaws for whom California officers
have been searching for months,
planned and executed the crime. 1t is
impossible to tell at present how much
money the robbers secured, but as the
express shipments were unusually
large il is certain the gang got away
with u rich haul Posses of officers
are securing the country for the high
waymen.
The train was late in leaving Los
Angeles Thursday night Besides the
baggage, express and three passenger
cars there were two cars loaded with
fruit for San Francisco. AT Burbank, 6
miles north of this city, several rough
looking men boarded the train and it Is
believed they were the accomplices
of the robbers who were waiting far
ther north to throw the switch and
ditch the train. At Roscoe, miles
north of Burbank, is short spur of
track leading from the main line to
sidetracS used for switching. As
the locomotive neared the junction
Engineer Thomas saw by the
glare of the headlight that the
switch was open. He reversed the en-
gine and tried to stop the train, but
the heavy load behind was too much to
be stayed in the short distance and the
locomotive and two fruit-cars lef. the
rails and fell a wreck into the ditch.
Before the passengers and Conductor
Odell could realize what had happened
three masked men jumped into view
from the woods adjoining the track
with rifles in their hands. A volley
of shots was fired at the en-
gineer and fireman., who were
struggling to escape from the tangled
wreck, and then the gang kept up a
fusillade of bullets to terrify the pas
sengers and prevent them from leaving
the cars.
When the shock of the accident was
felt the accomplices who boarded the
train at Burbank left the rear coach
and hurried to the express car, which
still stood on the rails unharmed. They
placed bombs under the car and
blew it to pieces No trace ot
the express messenger has yet
been found, and it is thought he was
killed and buried under the ruins OF
his car. The robbers secured severa
sacks of gold coin and a number oi
packages of greenbacks, mounted
horses, which were tied in the woods
near the railroad, and galloped north.
Foster, the brakeman, was in one OF
the passenger coaches at the time o.
the accident and realized that robbers
were at work as soon as he heart
the rife shots. He quietly slipped
from the train and made hi
way toward light he saw
across the country, which PROVED
to be in farmhouse. Foster got
team at the ranch and after arousini
the neighborhood drove to Burbanl
and notified the deputy sheriff at tina
place. The Southern Pacific and Wells
Fargo officials in this city were mott
fed of the robbery and a train was sen
at once to the scene.
the gang made their escape ol
horses, the railroad officials say, an
have several hours start of the sheriff
posses, which have given pursuit
Conductor Odell may be able to give
description of the men who boarded hi
train at Burbank, but neither Foster
the brakeman, nor Engineer Thoma:
can describe the men who first az
peared and began to fire ut the trai
crew.
The belief that Evans and Morrel
who escaped from the Fresno Jail se'
eral months ago, participated in tn
robbery is shared by many railroad an
express officials. The job is such
cold -blooded and desperate piece {
work that officers familiar with tn
two desperadoes agree that it beai
their trademark.
ADRiFT ON A. HUGE ICE FLOE