The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-04-10
SAVED THEIR CASH
HOW A LAWYER CIRCUMVENTED
ROCK ISLAND TRAIN ROBBERS.

He Walked Backward With His Hands up
and While Thieves had Eyes on TIL cir
Escaped. He Braved Shots to Enter the
Rear Coaches Where He Warned the
Passengers to Hide Their VaIuabIes
Which They Promptly Did--Other Incl
dents of the Recent Robbery.
Although but visitor in your city,
said Charles T. Ferrister yesterday 10 a
reporter for the Eagle, Il desire to call
your attention to a matter that should
not be overlooked. l had two friends
on the train that was held UP on the
Rock Island near Dover one day last
week. While in Fort Worth these two
friends OF mine informed me that they
as well g most of the passengers in
the cars back OF the smoker saved the
greater portion of their money, as well
as valuable through the courage and
presence of mind of Albert D. Elliot. at
torney for the Rock Island at Chick
aska, 1. T. The story as related by
these gentlemen is as follows: Mr.
Elliot was in the smoking car. smoking
when two of the robbers entered the
front door with the porter carrying
the sack. One Of the robbers with an
oath, and at the same time aiming a
rife down the aisle of the car, called
on the passengers to throw up their
hands. The hands of all were prompt
ly thrown up. The robbers in addition
10 calling on each one to deposit what
they had in the sack searched many of
the passengers in the smoker for con-
cealed money, etc. When the robbers
were half through the car, Mr.. Elliot
who also had his hands up determined
TO save what little money he had on
him and also to notify the passengers
in the other cars of what was going on
in the smoker so that they could con-
ceai their effects as much as possible.
Mr. Elliot was in the rear of the car
and although one of the robbers kept
covering the passengers with n rifle,
quietly backed with his hands up till
he reached the rear door of the smoker.
Keeping his left hand up he reached
behind him with his right until he
felt the knob of the door. For an in
stance the attention of the robbers was
turned to one of the passengers they
Were relieving of what he had and Mr..
Elliot opened the door quietly and
jumped from the platform of the smok-
was coach and also a chair car in
front of the Pullman. Going through
both of these cars as well as through
the Pullman Mr.. Elliot notified the
passengers of what was going on in
the smoker and that few minutes re-
manned before reaching their cars and
to hide all they could. The watches,
money, etc, were hid by most of the
passengers in the coach and chair car
q N in
only what little silver they did not
conceal. This was done by all, ex-
cept perhaps n few in the coach and
chair car who did not wake up. Co
ing TO the Pullman, Mr.. Elliot informed
the Pullman conductor, and the occu-
pants of the sleeper as much as posi-
bic. The doors were locked, the lights
turned down and the Pullman escaped
the hold up as perhaps the robbers were
afraid Of a darkened car My friends
We're in the chair car and had consider
able currency about they. They in
form me that they saved their money
and watches, and that many other
passengers did the same on Mr.. Elliot's
timely warning. Mr. Elliot was the
only one that escaped from the smoker
after the robbers entered the car. This
WAS done at a time when a rife was
leveled at the occupants. and while one
or two . fthe robbers were near the end
OF the smoker shooting in order to have
he passengers keep their seats, and. to
intimidate them. The robbers were at
the express car and close to the smoker.
Had this gentleman been seen leaving
the car, or going from one igthed
platform to another. he would have been
shot. That is the opinion of the pas
senSerS, and was much commented on,
and his going through a lighted train
at such a time to save the passengers
of his company, was much praised. 1t
shows courage and nerve. as well as
presence of mind in thinking of saving
others what he could. To say the least
Mr.. Eliot is entitled to few words Of
praise. and this little incident would
have been noted in the papers before
had the passengers known his name or
address. The haul was light one. and
the reason of it is now known. As a
rule the passeng gers had no idea that the
robbers would go through the train. but
thought they were only after the eX-
press car, hence the notice Of Mr.. Elliot
was a timely one. ] may mot have the
pleasure of meeting this gentleman, but
hope you Will publish this. as many
passengers on the Rock Island that
evening, I know. feel grateful 10 Mr..
Elliot. The shooting Of the express
messenger. as we'll as the minister by
the robbers and their desperate fight
with the deputy marshals who follow
cd them. shows clearly the chances
taken by Mr. Elliot. and how quickly
the robbers would have dropped him
had their attention not been turned
away at the time