The record-union., 1894-10-13
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoS.


RICHMOND (Va.), Oct. 12.-The north
bound passenger train on the Richmond,
fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
was held up near Quantico. The engineer
and fireman were forced from their en-
gine, and the engine cut. loose and sent
ahead. The express car was then en-
tered, the messengers covered with
pistols and the safe opened and robbed.
The runaway locomotive was stopped at
Quantico by distractions on the track.
1t is stated here that there was an un-
usually large amount of money on the
train, probably $4,000. The robbers,
seven in number, were masked, and did
not blow open the safe, as at first re-
ported. They forced the messenger to
open it. The company has offered $4,000
reward for the arrest of any of the rob-
bers
After the robbery the thieves made off
with their booty IN the direction of the
Potomac River, where it is supposed they
had boat in waiting TO take them to the
Maryland side.
None of the robbers entered the passen-
ger coaches. The operator at Brooks, six
miles from Quantico, discovered that the
engine was wild as il passed his station,
and telegraphed to Quantico, whore q
switch was thrown, SO 1t was brought into
collision with two loaded freight cars and
wrecked Had this not been done the
engine would have collided with the
outh-bound passenger train.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
WASHINGTON, Oct. II. = The train
which was held up was through special
from Jacksonville for New York. Only
a few passengers stopped OFT when the
train reached this cily, the remainder
going north. The following facts in con-
nection with the hold-up were obtained
from the baggageman of the train:
1t is customary for all trains TO stop at
Aquai Greek, several miles below Guam
tico, for water. The train was 200 or 800
yards this side Of the creek at 9:26 to-
night, when the engineer got a signal
TO stop. The party went forward
to see what had caused the signal,
and was confronted by the robbers, who,
it was learned, had given the signal
There were seven or eight OF them, and
as soon as the engine stopped they walked
back towards the train and commenced
TO fire their weapons, at the same time
warning everybody to keep inside the
cars. 4 number Of shots were fired, but
by the greatest chance no one was hurt,
for by this time the passengers had be-
come excited and some had thrown open
| the windows to ascertain the cause, but
upon seeing the masked men they be-
came aware that the train had been held
up by desperate men.
The robbers, by their bold course thus
intimidated the passengers and train
crew, and thereupon quickly came up to
| the express car. They found the doors
tightly barred, and were unable to force
an entrance by persuasion or threats.
| Their time was precious. and they were
well fixed 20 do their work rapidly. They
were supplied with dynamite, and by its
use the door of the express car was shat
tered and an entrance gained. The mes
senger was i'll the car at the time and
they told him they would blow him up if
lie did not open the doors of the sale. 1he
messenger appreciated that he was in the
hands of desperate men, and after de-
murring he opened the safe. The robbers
got every cent Of the money that was in
the car. No one knows just how much
the safe contained, but one of the en-
ployes says he thought it would probably
amount to Sl50,000 The safes were
brought from various places along the
road, and frequently three or four are
taken from Richmond.
After looting the safe of all the money,
the robbers uncoupled the engine and
ran it some miles up the road until coal
chute was reached, when it was wrecked.
The train was left standing until an en-
gine was brought from Quantico. The
train remained at the scene of the rob-
| berry two and half hours. and arrived
here at 1919 A. NJ.
The door of the express car showed
evidence of the dynamite. and all glass
panes in it were shattered. 1t was. how
ever. allowed to proceed to New York,
and the express messenger, Crutchfield,
who was in charge, accompanied it. The
| robbers escaped with their booty, and up
| to this hour they have not been appre-
| hended. In fact, the police of this city at
A. NJ. have not been notified of the hold
up. 1t is thought the men escaped across
the Potomac to the Maryland side of the
river.
Within the safe were six registered
packages. and each of these were opened
by the robbers and their contents looted.
The two men who entered the car showed
some familiarity with shipping practices,
as one of them demanded the production
OF the way-bills when told a safe was
empty. 1t is thought the estimate of the
money secured, as given by an emplcye
at Sl50,000, is much too great
PJESITVT OF THE STORAT