The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1894-09-21

swung a red light. A grinding of
wheels along the rails indicated the
air had been applied and within
twenty seconds from the explosion OF
the torpedo the train was a standstill
ENGINEER PRESCOTT SHOT.
Out of the dense underground
north of the track came four forms.
The face of each was hidden by a
black mask. One, more agile than the
rest, rushed to the engine almost be-
fore his companions could reach the
express car. He carried a rife, and
when within ten feet of the tender
brought it to his shoulder, pointed it
at DAD Prescott the white bearded
engineer, and as he shouted, ''Hold
up your hands, pulled the trigger,
His aim was true and dad" fell to
the floor of his cab with bullet in
his right shoulder. With one bound
the tender, and, bringing his gun to
his shoulder, sent a shower of shot
almost into the face of the masked
individual. How the fellow ever
managed to run is mystery. But he
did, and made for the woods.
The shot which laid Engineer Pres
colt low was the signal for the fusil-
lade and shots echoed and re-echoed
from bank to bank and through the
woods. 1t was also the signal for a
hasty retreat to the shelter of the
timber on the part of the surprised
robbers. Not until they reached tim
Der did they answer. Then they fired
a few shots. Their aim was bad, for
although men were leaning from car
windows and pulling triggers while
others had jumped to the ground and
were after them on foot they failed
to hit man.
The robbers horses were hitched
not over 100 yards away. When the
posse from the train reached the spot
they saw one animal. a gray, gallop-
ing north. A we'll directed shot
brought it low, but there was no rider
on it's back. The place where the
horses were tied was soon found, and
cut hitching straps showed that one
man at least had life enough left to
make his escape. Sheriff Sa1in took
the saddle, blanket and bride from
the dead gray, and says by their aid
he will have no trouble in ntifying
the owner. The search for dead and
wounded was postponed until day
light.
The chase after the one or ones who
escaped started within ten minutes
after the shooting ended. The sheriff
secured horses and with half dozeD
men started north.
EXCITEMENT AMONG PASSENGERS.
It is not likely the passengers in
the rear end of the smoker, those who
were doing in the chair car, and
half dozen or SO sleepless ones in the
sleeper, will ever forget the expert
ence. With the first shot every man
near a window opened it and looked
out. With the second he drew his
head in. And when the volley began
he had not time to close the window
but just dropped fat down
on the floor of the car. Then the
cry train robbers went through
the train and women went down on
their knees, lifted their hands and
screamed. 1t was absolutely impos-
sible to walk through the cars with
out climbing over the seats. When
the excitement was at it's height the
brakeman put his head in the door
and shouted, Keep your heads down.
The train robbers are outside. -
In the Pullman sleeper, Selma, two
women ran shrieking from their
berths and headed for the danger
spot when Conductor George Blue
compelled them to go back to bed.
And tn ere were at least dozen indi-
vidu ais VIII snored through it all and
did not miss note.
When the train reached CORN, En-
gineer Prescott was removed to pri-
vate house, and DIR. c. J. Cruikshank,
a Santa Fe physician in New Mexico,
who was on the train, attended to his
injuries. Prescott's wound was
dressed and he was sent to the Santa
Fe hospital at Fort Madison on the
cast bound Santa Fe train which
reached CORN two hours afterward.
Engineer Gregory took his place in
the cab of engine 600 and with Fire
man McGraw, who had gone through
the affair unhurt, brought the train
to Kansas City, arriving at SOB this
morning only three minutes behind
time.
It is nearly three weeks since the
Santa Fe and lls-Fargo officers re-
ceived the tip that the raid was con-
templated. Since then the express
car, whether inhabi by Detective
Kinney's men or not, has been reg
Mar arsenal