The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-19
TRAIN ROBBERS F0ILED.
GUNs BLzzED AWAYAT THEM WIEN
THEY STOPPED THE EXPRESS.

They shot the Engineer and Were Tker
Dispersed BY . voIey-Two Capture,
After n Long Chsse-One wounded
FoR MADISON. Ia, Sept. 1s.-The Utah and
Colorado express on the Atchison and Santa r,
road had an exciting experience early this morn.
ing. -Four masked men attempted 10 hold II NJ
near CORN, Mo. The attempt was a failure, FOL
the railroad and express officials expected 1t wa.
coming and had had a spy watching the camT
Of the outlaws for the past three weeks. But
though the bandits failed, they made things
very lively for a few minutes. The result Is that
Dad Prescott, the engineer, IL seriously wounded
and two Of the robbers are believed to be dead OF
wounded In the woods. The detectives. with
bloodhounds, are chasing the other two through
the country.
At several stations detectives, all armed To the
teeth, boarded the train. At Streator two more
men got on, who have been patrolling the line
for twenty days. J. A. Matthews. who has been
acting as spy for the past two weeks and getting
news OF bandit plans. put In an appearance at
Galesburg. He brought news. The robbers met
early In the day and decided to leave their hid
ing place near Memphis, Mo-. at $3.50 O'Clock
last night, and to make their third attempt to
get rich at the expense Of the express company.
They expected to make a haul Of at least
$4,000, for the Monday run is always much
hNeN Nhhh ou hhl OlhN n VI tht VIVA
When the train reached this place, shortly
after midnight, Division superintendent Stock
ton Of the wells-Fargo Express Company got
into the treasure car. He carried n sawed-of
Winchester. With him were four men. Their
arms were In the car, and have been there for
several days. Then q council Of war was held
and q plan adopted. Detectives Kenney and
Montgomery boarded the train. superintendent
stockton and two Of his good shots lay low in
the express car. But 1t was in the forward end
OF the smoking car where the forces were
massed. A partition and door enclosed half a
dozen seats and shut of the rest Of the car from
IL. There q dozen men were planted. Each
had one Of the sawed-off rifles. every cartridge
loaded especially for the event with two
dozen buckshot. There was only one pas
senger in that compartment, and he was re-
quested By the brakeman to take a seat In the
chair car. as they were going to sweep. Pull
man car conductors and porters sought places Of
safety, and the trainmen did not expose them
selves unnecessarily. Ten minutes before the
time set for the fun to begin the little compart-
ment In the baggage car was filled with armed
men. The lights were out, the windows were
up. In each seat were two men sitting side
ways, the muzzles OF their guns protruding just
q trife over the stills. Behind them stood others
with winchesters at half cock resting across
their arms.
Gut from between two high establishments,
Just one mile from CORN. sped the train. Then
came the crack OF q railway torpedo. A moment
and a shrill. sharp whistle gave token that the
had heard, and almost before his hand
the valve. across the tracks, not fifty yards
away. swung Il red light. A grinding Of wheels
along the rails told the air brakes had been ap-
plOsion OF the torpedo the train was at a stand
still.
track came four men. The face Of each was
by a black mask. One, more agile than
the rest, rushed to the engine almost before his
carried a rife, and when within ten feet OF the
tender brought 1t to his shoulder. pointed IL at
As he shouted Hold up your hands" he
pulled the trigger; His aim was true, and the
p he right breast. With one bound betectITe
kenney gained the top Of tho tender, and
II shot almost into the face OF the masked rob
How the fellow ever managed u move sir
inches Is a mystery: ,b But he sprang from the
The shot which laid Engineer Prescott low
was the signal for a fusillade. and was echoed
he woods. IL was also the signal for a hasty re-
.reat to the shelter OF tim Der on the part Of the
we're hidden by masks. Not until they reached
timber did they answer. Then they only fired
.hough men were leaning from the car windows
md pulling triggers "a fast as possible, while
,thers had jumped 20 the ground and were after
hem on foot, they failed TO hit a man.
Their horses were hitched not over 100 yards
way. When the posse from the train reached
lorth. A well-directed shot brought II low. but
here was no rider on its back. The place where
he horses were tied Sas son toui,d, and cut
lad life enough left TO make his escape.
sheriff Sailing OF scotland county. No.. who
he s Sds Hs Tia n aud Bride Gf rom tSe dead
ray. He at once declared that by their aid he
he search for dead and wounded was post
'oned until daylight.
vas started within ten minutes after the shoot
nd with half a dozen men started north. They
Aving them in custody inside Of a few hours.
When the train reached CORN Engineer Pres
SruicishanE. a physician 81 santa re. y. n
no happened 10 be on the train, attended 20 his
The participants In the raid arr known. To-
dead or alive, they will be In Memphis 1t Is
I pected. The Coroner will look after some. the
rand Jury after the others. A pack Of blood
ounds was in readiness upon the arrival OF the
rain at Gorin. and with these the officers began
The passengers had a lively time. With the
rst shot every man near a window opened IL
cad in. And when the yolleying commenced he
Ad no time To close the window, but just drop
Dat down on the floor % he car; Then the
nd women fell down on their knees. lifted their
ands. and screamed as vigorously and persist
atty as II a mouse were Ia sight. IL was ab.o-
Ilely impossible % walk through the cars with
climbing oyeT the seats When the excite
In the door and shouted:
Keep your heads down. ladies and gentle
zen. Train robbers are outside
In the sleeper selma two women ran Shrek
y from their berths, and were headed for the
anger spot when Conductor blue captured
and prevailed upon them To 20 hack 70
~. There were al least a dozen individuals
LO snOred through II all and did not miss a
Dte.
Two OF the rohb-rs we're captured near Mem.
ais, Mo- this morning. They were brought 10
.emphts and lodged In jail. They are: Charles !
brams and Link Overfeld. They were caught !
7 special agents Of the santa Re road Abrams !
the man who shot Engineer Prescott He Is !
ldly sounded and Is not expected 20 live. lie /
the charge OF buckshot fired by the de- /
ctiye concealed on the tender after Engineer /
resc0tt fell. Abrams was the leader 81 the
ing, boarded the engine In advance Of his COM
mons and received the char ge Of bucksh1t
" IN the face. The force OF detectives mar
slled az tie time hat Abrams Was able 10
away six feet. much less escape 10 the
Gods. Detective kenney Of the santa Re saws
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