Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-10-27

SEARcEY, THE TRAIN RoBBER OF
AQUA CREEK, CoNFEssEs.-Charles
j. Searcey, the train robber, has
made confession, which is now IN
the hands of the authorities, to be
used at the trial. He told where
they had buried some of the stolen
goods, in the woods near Calverton
station, and agreed to go with the
officers and show the place, which
he felt certain he could identify.
The party drove about the coun-
try Monday afternoon, but could
not find any roads Searcey could
identify. The search was continued
Tuesday. About one mile before
reaching Calverton Searcey recog-
nized some Of the landmarks, and
was positive he passed through that
section after he had hidden the ex-
press pouch. About four miles from
Catelett,s Searcey recognized the
spot where he and Morganfield left
the road. 1t was a wild spot, and in
body of pines about quarter of a
mile from the road, and in the morn
ing after the robbery, Searcey and
Morganfeld opened the packages,
took out the money and put every
thing back in the pouch, which they
hid.
Driving into the field the march
to the woods began. Searcey hand
cuffed TO Mr.. Pinkerton, led the way
alongside fence through the woods
by cattle paths, infinitely describing
the place where the bag had been
buried.
An hours search failed to find the
spot and disappointment began to
show on all faces. 1t was suggested
TO try back, and SO the party spread
out at once and began the backward
search. After about fifteen minutes
ex-Sheriff Adde'S voice was heard
calling that he had found the spot
and all fastened to him. lie was
standing near the roots of q blown
down pine and by him were soon
gathered the whole party. There,
under the root Of this tree, slightly
covered with leaves and brush, was
the missing pouch. 1t was slightly
discolored by the dampness, but was
otherwise intact. The pouch was
sealed and shipped to the Adams
Company at Washington.
Searcey has been in the best OF
spirits during the whole trip. He
had known Morganfeld for some
time in the South and west, and met
him in Washington before the rob-
berry. Morganfeld suggested the
robbery and it was some time be-
fore Searcey would agree to it, but
finally consented and they went to
to Fredericksburg. There were but
two men concerned in the robbery,
Morganfeld and Searcey. They
hung around Fredericksburg for
several days.
On Friday, afternoon they left
Fredericksburg and walked up the
railroad to Brooks Station. AT
Brooks they waited for the train
and hid behind car that was stand
ing near. When the train stopped
at Brooks they jumped on benin /
the tender and SO rode over to the
scene of the robbery. After the
fireman and engineer had been put
upon the bank Morganfeld fixed the
dynamite to the car door. He used
a half stick of dynamite with a cap
and fuse in the end oft. Morganfield
alone went in the car while Searcey
stayed outside and terrorized the
trainmen and passengers. They got
off the.engine, at Arkindale crossing
and came up that road that led down
to Aqua creek, at Horns landing.
Here, finding the creek in front of
them they retraced their steps to
the main road and started around
the country TO Calverton.