The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-02
TRAIN ROBBERS.
Eastbound Overland Held Up
and $500 Taken.

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. Notwithstanding
the fact that territorial law is in force
which makes train robbery a capital
offense, . gang OF desperadoes have re-
newed line of business which
it was believed would never
again dArken the criminal history
OF Arizona, by holding up yester-
day, eight miles east of Tucson, the east
bound overland. The robbers were sue
cessful. It was planned all right, 1t was
carried out all right, but the work from
financial standpoint was failure. The
robbers secured less that $500. The officers
are now on the track of the band and are
confident of effecting their capture in a
day or two. One of the robbers now lies
in the jail at Phoenix, suffering from five
wounds inflicted by Sheriff Murphy of
Maricopa County. AS the Overland was
leaving Maricopa a brakeman discovered
three men riding on the blind baggage
and ordered them to get off. They refused,
but before the brakeman knew what was
going on, he was looking down the
barrels of their three six-shooters. He
ceased arguing at once and extinguished
the light in his lantern as directed by
order OF the men, who, at the same time,
discharged his pistol in the air. The en-
Smythe, heard the shot and came to
the conclusion that something was
wrong, and Holiday began to slow up.
About this time voice came from the
window, saying: Hands up, you
-" When the men in the cab turned
about they saw a man, a giant in stature,
his face masked. He covered Holiday
with Winchester. Holiday at the time
of interruption was busy eating his lunch.
The train proceeded to about
mile east OF Maricopa where it
came to a standstill, the robbers so
ordered. The men emerged from clump
of bushes at the side of the track and
joined the robbers, who by this time
seemed to be everywhere at once. Con-
ductor Martin alighted TO ascertain the
cause of the stoppage, and Immediately
two bullets whiZzed uncomfortably near
his and he heard the words, "Get back on
the train, or we will fill you full OF lead"
Martin obeyed the order. Two of the
robbers boarded the engine and the men
who had covered Engineer Holiday with
rifle all the way from Maricopa disap-
peared for time. The bandits on the
engine held a six-shooter in each hand
and one OF them was unmasked. They
ordered Holiday and Smythe off the en-
gine and when they had alig hted told
Smythe to fetch the pick. They covered
him all the time and when he again
joined them, they ordered him to knock
at the door of the express car, which the
messenger, Geo. Mitchell, had closed and
locked upon hearing the noise. Outside,
Smythe struck the door and cried at the
messenger not to shoot as it was the en-
gineer and Holiday explained also as best
he could the situation and the messenger
threw open the door. The robbers entered
the car and took everything of value in
sight. Finding the safe locked, they de-
manded the keys of the messenger. He
explained that the big iron box could be
opened only at principal offices along the
road. The robbers took Mitchell's watch
and then left the car, one of them carrying
the gunny sack, In which the valuables
were to be placed. They hurried to the
Mosquito bushes, where their horses were
fastened, and little later they were dash
ing across the country. 1t is believed
that they did not get away with more
than s165 in cash and the messengers
satchel. The train was backed up to
Maricopa and dispatches were sent to
the city and Phenix. The tracks
of the horses led toward Mexico, and
il is believed the bandits, knowing
that capture means death and that they
were sure to be apprehended sooner or
later, IL they remained in the territory,
started for the sister republic. Informa-
tion received by the United States marshal
yesterday afternoon makes 1T appear as il
the robbers had made for Salt River
Valley. Sheriff Murphy has brought into
Phoenix one of the robbers, named
Frank Armour. He has five wounds, but
none fatal. They found three twenty
dollar gold pieces and two silver
watches in his possession. The watches
we're stolen from persons on street cars in
Phoenix a few days ago. He claims
to have been living at Cline's Place,
five miles from Phmnix, for the last two
months. Three horses left by the robbers
were found at the place whore Armour
was captured, Is miles west of PhGnix.
Ormie Carries and Murphy are out after
the Others. Murphy says their capture IL
almost certain. Murphy overlook Armour
and ordered him to throw up his hands.
Armour opened fire on the sheriff and
posse, and shot down the sheriff. There
is some uncertainty as TO the number OF
the gang, some saying three and others
five. The trainmen are unable TO state
definitely.