Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-07-06
ANOTHER TRAIN ROBBED
TheWork Accomplished This Time
By Three HighWaymen.
THE PASSENGERS CONTRIBUTED.

Getting Little from the Express and Mail
Cars One of the Men Went Through tho
Train. While His Pals Kept Watch on
the Outside.
GRANTS PASS Ore, July Tho South
ern Pacific overland train, north bound,
was stopped at 1915 p m. by three high
waymen near Riddles, about thirty miles
south Of Kosebcrg. and thoroughly robbed.
Sticks of dynamite wore placed on the
rails, which disabled the engine by blow
ing the hanges of the pony trucks, and
brought the train to stop.
Every car. from the express to the rear
Pullman, was searched Nothing was
obtained from the express car, for there
was no treasure on board. In the mai
car better success was met, aud the Port
land, Tacoma, Seattle and Victoria, b. c.,
registered sacks were ridcd. The passen-
gers were also searched thoroughly.
When the dynamite explosion brought
the train to a standstill Conductor L. ].
kearney, who was in charge of the train.
ran out, but was met by one Of the BAN
dts, who fired at him with a pistol tho
bullet grazing the conductors head. The
bandit then ordered the conductor to get
inside and stay there, an order which he
was not slow in obeying. hiding himself
in Pullman closet, from which he saw
one man patroling the bank which over
looked the train. Another bandit made
Engineer Wailc and Fireman Gray get off
the engine and go to the express car, and
ordered it opened. Express Messenger DON
ohue had taken out his way treasure at the
first alarm and locked his box. This he
reopened at the order of the robber.
The robber then ordered the engineer
fireman and expressmen to enter the mail
car. Postal Clerk Herman gave up all the
registered pouches, which the robber or
dered cut open. He then ordered the rail
road employees to go to the passenger
coaches and assist him in relieving the
passengers OF their valuables. They passed
all who had the appearance of working
men, but made the others hold up their
hands while they went through their
pockets, the robber standing over them
with pistol.
tits estimated that the robbers secured
from &, 900 to 81, 900 altogether. One pas
senger in the Pullman gave up 800.
Others contributed in amounts ranging
from $50 to 800. As soon as the cause Of
thelstoppage of the train was known tho
passengers began hiding money and val
uables, throwing them under seats, in hat
racks, and stuffing boots and shoes, many
afterwards digging it up and giving it
away at the robbers request. A bridal
couple in the day coach were the first pas
sengers held up. All their money was
taken. Both sat with hands up for an
hour after the robbers left the car.
r. L. Smith, special agent of the Pho
nix Insurance company, of Hartford, with
two friends, were in the Pullman smoking
room when they heard the first bomb.
They looked out the window, and were
told by the robbers, with many oaths, to
put their heads inside, whereupon they
piled over each other in the middle of the
room to get away from shots. Soon after
wards they ran to their herths and rolled
in. After long suspense a robbcr, with
the engineer, fireman, express messenger.
porter and tramp came along, and told
them to dig up The robber asked the
person at every berth, Lady or CENT?
Lower berths only were inspected
Ladies were not disturbed. A Berkeley
student sound asleep in the Pullman knew
nothing of tho hold up until punched in
the ribs with pistol and told to dig up"
He gave up everything, including IL gold
watch. The robber laughed and talked
with the passengers while taking their
valuables.
The sheriff of Klamath county was on
board with prisoner The robber appro-
priated the sheriff's pistol None of the
ladies in the car were molested. During
the time the train was held, an hour and
forty. five minutes, the robbers outside
kept firing sticks of dynamite, to intiml-
date the passengers. After the chief rob
Der had secured his booty he ordered the
engineer to proceed north. He then shot
out the headlight, fired five additional
shots as a signal to his companions, and
disappeared in the darkness. The engine
was SO badly disabled that it took three
hours to reach Riddles, four mile distant.
There Is n force of about thirty men in
pursuit of the robbers. The country is
very wild and rugged, and the prospects
of the capture OF the bandits are not very
favorable.