The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1895-07-05
THEOVERLAND ROBBED.
Two or Three Men Stand Up
the Tram.

1t was reported on the streets that the
overland had been robbed at Riddles last
night, so WHEN it arrived at 8 o'clock an
interested crowd of spectators were pres
ent to see the passengers who had met
with the experiences OF the night. As
the train changes engineer, fireman, con-
ductor and hrakemen at Roseburg none
of these men were on board, SO the DEM-
ocRAT man hastened TO the express car
where Ralph Donohue, the express
agent, one OF the brightest and grittiest
fellows on the road, narrated the events
of the robbery. Riddles is Il flag station,
| in the Cow Greek canyon, % miles south
| of Ruseburg. When the train reached
| that place at 10 10 il was lanterned and
slowed up, then dynamite bombs ex-
ploded under the wheels oil the engine,
breaking the hanges and the train
stopped. Three or four men appeared
at the sides with -four sack masks, and
drawn reyolvers and ordered the engin-
eer and firemen out. They obeyed orders
and marched before them to the express
car, which the leader entered and Dono-
hue, the agent, was soon facing revol-
yer. He remarked that the hole looked
as uig as the top OF hat and he could
almost see the bullet.
"Open that safe" said the robbcr.
at is time locked and cant.
1.-The HI you can't, IN give you just
five minutes in which TO open il.
''Iou can shoot my head of If you
want TO, but l can't open the safe said
Ralph.
L. Il. IL. Il
he qrit operations in this car and order
ed Donodue out ahead of him. The
robber knocked at the door of the mail
car which Mr.. Harman opened a. II half
asleep. He was told to throw up his
hands. At the point OF the gun he
opened three registered sacks. The rob
Der took what contents he wanted. \
check to : Portland house for $500 lac
threw on the floor, remarking that il was
OF no use 10 him. one in favor oil II. X.
kincaid for 1925 he treated in like
manner. He was going To make Mr.
Harman join the company, but hc told
the man that he had no gun and was
sleepy and wanted TO rest and he Was al
lowed TO remain. Mr.. iiarman told the
DR2oCRAT man that he observed the
mans appearance carefully. He MAS
about feet ii inches in height, well
built, and though he had = mask made
OF -four sack he could see a light rcsiish
musiache through ihe opening. His
nose looked red. aud, drammer do
clared il had been painted. He had a
deep voice, and rather pleasant one.
Preceded by the engineer, fireman, a
tramp hobo who had been wooding up,
Mr.. ponohue and two brakemcn tile
robbcr enterci the front car while the
other men, about how many there was a
general dispute. SIR. Donohue thought
only one remained ON the outside and
continually fired BON rs, probably Chi
nesc as they were all lighted Many
amusing incidents occurred. The pas
scngcrs had had ample time 20 ges away
with their yAluAblts, and onIy handed
out teg dollars pisce - = rule though
there were several exceptions. Only five
or six watches were taken. One mAn
said his WAS an old heir loomand was al
lowed 10 keep IT, In the PuIlmaus. i.r
would TuR back the curtains aui sav.
Lady or gents" II the former ilo,l.-
ing was asked, Il q gentleman ,heir
money, and particularly gold. VAS de-
mandesi: but as rule he did uos gc,
the latter. lie continually declared .hsg
the train would lie blown up with Ivnz-
mite II they did no, &c; promptly. One
man drOppsd lo8r twcnises into gtae fi0rr
sack the robiSr carried. There are ms
pants said drummer, who s.ad hid
ever thing bus few dollars. The r,.yoI-
yer came 10 his face. aud &c quickly
handed oUi the money.
Nelson Bennett. the great Tacoma
capitalist was IN one 81 thc t~.rths. asad
made some iunny remark.
sz-Er q. ii
glar, Come pnuglc out, p and all hc 20:
Mas s.. 30 from one ot iigs wcaIthiess men
on the sound. Opposite Bennett was a
young man. who protested. AMI il was
asserted actually cried. 81 l., needed the
money 10 Use in Portland. and the bur
g.ar gave hali OF il hack 10 him. iuf.rat-
ing that he had a tender heart. \ ws,-
man insisted On giving her pnrsc and
had to hand 81 oGs SECOND time before
the burglar iook IT,
Among the passengers VAS the sheriff
OF Klamath county with two revolver
and handouts. taking prisoner home.
Unlike Bogart, he mcekly gave up the
outfit and hls money. / poor #. T.
minister parted wI;h his watch and
money. Mr.. Foster, 4 well kupan drum
meT, WAS IN the rear car and gave up .
few dollars The most secured troTu anv
one was 3 roll oi bills oi about ksQ0 from
a passenger who foolishly gave it up
though he had plenty OF time 20 hide Il.
Probably 81 coo in all WAS taken.
Mr.. Ellis, the :. I. travelling agent
was on board, and upon telling the rob
Der who he Was had his money returned.
One woman tsgged the rohbcr not 20
kill ise= and handesi out her purse. which
he refused. Another borrowed s. 10 or
der TO have moley 10 give him, but he
passed her.
Where was the conductor. Tom Kar-
ney? No one knew. One man said
thought he locked himself in j closet.
The Pullman CONDUCTOR. il was vouch-
ed for, was in top berth hisl under a
pile OF pillows. 4 little smooih-iared
drummer. said he was not dssturlssi in
his upper berth.
'Mistook You for a woman, evidently =
said the DEMOCRAT man.
The passengers generally were in good
humor and jokcd about the affair. II
was, though, one OF the most daring rob !
berries ever committed on the coast, and
probably by only three men. one man
practically doing the business.
After finishing the train the robbers
shot the head lights out and proceeded
up the track ahead of the train. 1t took
some time to get the engine in condition
and Roseburg was reached "abont five
hours late.
\ posse OF men was sent out after the
robbers from Grants Pass, brave fellows;
but IL is funny there were no brave men
on the train.