The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-15
TURNED The engine loose
After Looting the Express Car, Des-
peradOes Leisurely Divide Booty,
ALMOST A FRIGHTPUL CRASH
The Virginia Train Bandits Have Not Been
Found, as Yet But Large Rewards
Are Offered for Their Apprehen.
sion-The Leader known.
BY the United Press.

BY the United Press.
Washington, Oct. IA.
There is every reason to suppose that
the leader Of the gang which perpe-
trated the bold train robbery at Acquia
Creek, Va, on Friday night, has been
identified. He lis George Carter, O
former resident Of the neighborhood, an
eS-eonvict Of Sing Sing, railroad en-
gineer and man who has been as
ISOLATED with many scenes Of robbery
and bloodshed. Carter, In all respects.
resembles the man who fired the shot
through the door at the express mes
senger, and subsequently threw the
stick Of dynamite and shattered the
sides of the Adams express car and
made the robbery easy.
Carter was sentenced to seven years
term Of imprisonment In Sing Sing in
1898 for robbing the house Of the super
1ntendent Of BlackwelPs Island. This
was purely malicious act on his part
in revenge for some injuries he consid-
cred he had received from the superin-
tendent while confined upon the island
He escaped from Sing Sing, as he had
previously escaped from one of the Vir-
ginia jails where he had been impris-
oned awaiting trial for burglary. In
dictments are also pending against him
in other parts of Virginia and in PENN
sylvania. In short he is known as one Of
the most desperate criminals, fully COM
petent to organize and carry out a rob-
berry on the audacious character OF that
perpetrated on Friday night, and beside
he had a full knowledge Of the locality.
How the Deed Was Done.
The supposition Is that he associated
with himself some one familiar with
the manipulation OF matters in the
Adams express car. His own expert
ence as q railroad engineer enabled
him to do the rest, with the assistance
OF three or four to stand on the bank
Of the selected cut and go through the
usual process of firing Winchesters in
the air and terrifying the passengers.
The railroad regulations require the
train to come to dead stop just be-
fore crossing Acquia bridge 1t was un-
doubtedly here that two Of the bandits
boarded the train Just back Of the ten
der, and, after the train crossed the
bridge, crawled over into the cab and
at pistols point compelled the engineer
and fireman to stop the train.
| Their four associates were already
in ambush. At the point selected was
q deep cutting. This was SO steep
on the side next the river as prac-
tically to enclose the train and on the
other side sufficiently steep to shut out
the light. Consequently although else
where the full light of the moon was
shining, In the spot ch.sen by the rob-
bers absolute darkness prevailed
About fnfle from the point where the
robbery was committed was a aroadlead.
ing to the Potomac river and afford.
ing ready escape by boat to Mary.
land.
The Engine Turned Loose.
The robbers undoubtedly stopped the
engine at this spot, threw open the
throttle and turned 1t loose, expecting
II would run to some other train and by
a general wreck prevent pursuit. and
then at their leisure proceeded by the
light Of the moon to divide their plum
der and escape In different directions
The original report that q single mar
saw the flying engine coming aloI & the
track and telegraphed to Quantico tc
look out for 1t is incorrect. The engine
was rushing into Quantlco station un
announced at the rate of mile min
ute when q switchman named OLeary
by happy instinct, instantly seized the
switch bar, threw the target over anG
set the engine dashing up steep grade
into coal dump, where II smashed
three or four coal cars and up-endet
Itself In a miraculous and picturesque
wreck.
But for his presence Of mind the en-
CINE which the robbers had turnef
loose would have dashed into the AL
toona express, which was then standing
at the station with over 300 passenger
on board, many Of whom would un
dubtedly have been Killed..
Big Rewards Offered.
The governor Of Virginia has Of
fered rewards for the arrest Of the rob
bers, and II IL understood that the gov
ernor Of Maryland will cooperate
Application was made by the governo
Of Virginia to the authorities Of tn
District of Columbia. but inasmuch a
the crime was not perpetrated In tn
district, the commissioners are withou
power to offer q reward, but have as
sured Governor Oferrall that In ever,
other way they will cooperate to th
fullest extent