The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-09-22

was the better part OF Vaior. Inv So'i1
mand to retreat was given anu the process
tectiye Kinney's men followed the trail Tor
five miles. From the indications they say
eight men were in tie party that nlgnt.
last SATURDAY. morning was the second
time the affair was billed to come OH. M
had not been for the rain the attack wouIo
have been made, for in addition to the reg
ular prize carried in the express car, on
the train was a big bundle of money to be
used by the Santa Fe in settling with some
employees for August. but the rain came
down early and with two much vIgor even
to permit the start.
Detective Kinney was badly chagrined
man when the train passed the point ~
which, according to the program. 1t shouid
have been tagged. He was on the CINE,
lad in suit OF blue Jumpers. and looked
for all the world like an apprentice to the
art of firing an engine. Snugly ensconsed
in skillfnlly constructed dugout in the
hea ping tenderful of coal was anOtner OF
his men. Inside the express car, behind an
innocent pile of trunks and bundles OF mer-
ehandise, which were in reality barricaaes
of cotton. were seven men with loaoed
Winchesters and a couple OF big reviewers.
Selected an Ideal Spot.
The cunning of the hold-up craftsman
was shown in the selection of this spot Tor
turning the little trick, as the robbery was
professionally designated. For ~ mlies
there is no night telegraph station until La
Plata is reached and there is no stop there.
H urdland, which Is just 10 miles west OF the
last a med station, IS a switch into which
the train runs every morning anu waits LOT
the east-bound express to pass. Inc men
who planned the robbery figured that tney
lad the train and its treasure in pocket
II al q necessary.
only to rifle the express car. but 10 relieve
the passengers of their vaiuables.
1t is evident also that they made care
full study of the Typography OF the country.
For 10, OOO feet before the spot at when Inc
red light was swung across INC ra'ls. the
road winds on a reverse curve through
cut with entertainments from III to Az ieet
high. Then comes little hill. followed by
a stretch of track almost on the level with
the surrounding country. On either side
of the right of-way are dense clumps OF
oak and hickory. 1t was in the middle OF
the timber that the horses were hidden
good, strength mbed animals-and 1t was
The calcu alton that after the nights bust.
ness had been accomplished, two hours,
hard riding would put every man safe from
pursuit.
The Railroad Was Ready.
Il is nearly three weeks since the Santa
Fe and Wells Fargo officials received tip
that the raid was contemplated. Since then
the express car has beer regular arsenal.
Every night at least half a dozen secret
service men have climbed aboard at differ
ent points along the line east Of Fort Mad
son and scattered themselves in the day re-
Ginning chair and smoking cars. Soon a1ter
that point was reached they would have
worked forward into the smoker, not man
mil ho nfh "a hP--
fore CORN was passed half Of them had dis
appeared into the express car. This was
merely precautionary Detective kinney's
shy gave him "a hours notice OF the two
premeditated raids stopped by the rain. and
then the full force were on hand. But the
railroad and express people were taking 10
chances. When the danger point had been
passed, the men were dropped off at differ
ent stations, working back east along the
road in the daytime and repeating the OPP
GRAFTON next night.
The Conductors Story.
KANSAS CRY. Sept l8-When the waylaid
train reached this city the Kansas City
passengers were not 10th to leave after their
night of suspense. Several, as they ex-
pressed themselves passed the worst night
OF their lives and for a time thought il would
be their last. George Blue. conductor OF
the train, in his official report made after
arriving at Kansas City, says:
Il was in the rear part of the train when
heard the answer to the aagman's signal.
The train soon came to standstill and in
few minutes heard gunshots. l hurried
back and sent out q hagman to protect the
rear of the train. Then the firing Eegan.
When / reached the ground saw three
men by the side Of the express Car. One
fell to the ground and supposed he was
shot. The other men went in under the
Car and escaped to the south. They did
not get away Immediately, however. for
they were surrounded by guards, who le-
gan shooting rapidly. On the other side
of the track there is dense timber. and the
robbers had only time to run few feet to
get under cover. l found that William
Prescott was shot in the right shoulder,
and only remained a few minutes when
pulled the train into the station. so as to
have his wound looked after. The guards
did nob.y They followed the robbers into
the dense timber in the darkness and
crowded them so closely that they shot one
of their horses.