The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-10-22

WAooxER, l. T.. Oct. 2l.-The Kansas
City & Memphis express, which left
here at 9:SO last night was wrecked
and robbed by the Cook gang Of des-
peradoes at Correta, o blind siding, five
miles south OF here. The train was
running twenty miles an hour and when
within 100 feet oil the switch, a man
came out from behind m embankment
and threw the switch for the siding,
running the train into string Of empty
box cars. Engineer James Harris ap-
piled the air brakes and reversed the
engine. The robbers commenced firing
at the engine and coaches. !,
AS soon as the train stopped two OF
the robbers commanded the engineer
and fireman TO come down, aud az aoon
as they had dismounted, marched them
in front OF them TO the baggage aud ex-
press cars. Here they forced Express
Messenger Ford to open the doors by
perforating the side OF the car with bnl-
lots. Meanwhile two or more OF the
robbers had taken up position at the
rear end Of the sleeper to prevent any
one escaping. Two others mounted the
platform between the smoker and bag
gage car and two moro the platform be-
tween the first and second coaches, all
keeping up a continual firing. The two
robbers in the express car were mean
while ransacking the express car. secnr'
ing all the money in the local sate.
They commanded Messenger Ford to
open the through safe, but when he
explained that the safe was locked at
the main Office and not opened until 1t
reached it's destination, they left the
car. The two on the front platform
then started through the coach demand
ing money and valuables.
INTERRUPTED ny A FREIGHT TRAIN
As soon as thoy reached the rear end
of the coach the two men on that plat
form started through the second coach.
When they were about half way
through freight train following close
behind whistled, and Bill Cook, the
leader, who had all the time remained
outside issuing commands, swearing at
the passengers and shooting, callod for
all hands to come out The men on the
cars Jumped out, and when all were on
the ground fred last volley at the
train and disappeared in the darkness.
There wero eight or ten men in the
party, Two OF them were white and the
others were halt-breeds.
Jack Mahara, an advance agent Tor
Mahara's minstrels, was hit in the
forehead by bullet and dangerously, II
not fatally, wounded. Walter Barnes, OF
Van Buren,, Ark, was also slightly in
iured by bullet striking him in the
cheek. Special Officers Helmick and
Dickson, OF the Missouri Pacific, were
on the train; also United States Deputy
Marshals Brunner and Casaver, but
they were covered by Winchesters in
the hands of the bandits before they
had time to make a move. Casaver lost
a watch and a six shooter. The train
was backed up to this place for assist
ance aud to give the injured medical aid.
MANY SHOTS FIRED.
The entire train was completely rid
died with bullets, every window being
broken. The engine cab was shot oil to
pieces, even the steam guage and guage
lamp being shot away and the ground
around the wreck covered with empty
shells. 1t was a miracle that many lives
were not lost, as fully 200 shots were
fred. The Missouri Pacific immediate
" started special train from Little
Rock carrying Superintendent w. j.
NTcKeea and picking updeputy marshals.
United States Indian Agent Wisdom, OF
Muskogee, has ordered all the Indian
police to report for duty and will take
the train early in the morning.
Conductor Duncan, in charge OF the
wrecked train, when interviewed, said;
~ was In the sleeper when We struck
the cars on the side track. Thought it
was a head end collision and knowing
that We were closely followed by
freight, I grabbed a red lantern and
started back to flag II. When reached
the rear end was confronted by two
men, who ordered me back into the car.
| told them we were closely followed by
a freight aud would be run into, and
asked them to lot me 20 back to flag
them. One OF the mon replied: swell,
90 on, hurry up" started back as
fast as could, but being troubled with
asthma, could not 60 very fast. The
two mon began firing at me and told
me to 90 faster"
A SMALL HAUL.
Express Messenger W. T. Ford dc.
clined to say anything further than that
tho robbers got everything they could
lay hands on outside OF the through
safe. The mail car was not molested.
Tho loss Of the express company will
not exceed $500, as instructions had
been issued to all agents In tho territory
to receive no money or valuables for
this train, aud only the company's
money remitted by local agents was
carried outside OF tho through safe.
Six OF the gang passed through Wag;
oner to-day, going at slow trot and
seemingly not tue least afraid OF being
captured.
Tho Cincinnati Robbor Identified.
CINCINNATI, O., Oct. 2l.-About mid.
n,,ht laat niOht Ohiaf Diatach received