The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-07-23
ROUGH USAGE.
THUGS HOLD UP A YOUNG MAN
FROM CANTON
And After Robbine Him, Knock Him
Down aud Throw Him Bodily From
Moving Freight Car-canton
Mans Thrilling Experience.

DOWn ano ThrOw Him BODILY From
Moving Freight Car-Canton
Mans Thrilling Experience.
Harry Jacques, a steel worker, who
lives in South Cherry street, related TO
News-Demoorat reporter, Sunday even
Ing about 1880 o'clock, thrilling expert
ence he had near Lima, early Saturday
morning, while returning TO Canton
from Chicago, over the Pittsburg, Fort
Wayne and Chicago road. He said:
Three weeks ago left Canton for a
visit to friends in Chicago, and while In
the Windy City spent pleasant time and
also most of the cash had carried with
me. l kept sufficient money, however,
to pay my fare back to Canton, and left
Chicago on my way here last Tuesday
evening. stopped over at one or two
places along the route to see some old
time friends. I also stopped at Lima for
a short time on business, and when re.
turning to the depot, the regular passen-
ger train on which had intended, to
leave Lima, was gone. Having some i'm
portant matters to look after in Canton,
and not wishing to lose any more time,
having been notified by telegram that
l was wanted here at once, I decided to
board the next train that came along. 1t
was not long before 1 heard the shrill
whistle of an engine, and the head blight
soon came in full view. When 1t arrived
at the station, I saw that 1t was freight
snd debated in my mind as to whether
or not should get on. 1t stopped at
the station, and got on. This was Sat
urday morning about 2 O'Clock. = =
90 got in an empty car, ana was alone
The train pulled out and had gone only
a short distance when 1t Stacked up at
station. Suddenly four or five men
jumped into the car in which I was sit
ting over in the corner. They did not
notice me at first, 1t being dark, and
thought they were train men. remained
quiet, but as the train started out at full
speed one of the men struck light and
looked around the car. BY the light 1
counted five men-three white men and
two negroes The man who held the
light said in a gruff voice, Come out
here arose from the board seat, and
as did SO wss grabbed and held by three
of the gang, while the fourth man
searched my pockets, taking my purse
containing $3.50 and my pocket knife.
"While being robbed saw the nfth
man, a negro, standing near by with an
uplifted club. was then told to get out,
but refused to jump from the fast running
train. Then one of the men attempted
to take my shoes from my feet, when 1
struck him blow which must have
knocked him down, for as quick as fash
few minutes later was caught by four of
the men and hurled through the car door
into the darkness from the running train.
thought sure 1 was killed, but luckily.
the ground was sandy. and although badly
bruised, escaped death. Regaining my
feet, 1 saw that the train had again
stopped at a water tank, the red light on
the caboose being plainly visible, and
although nearly exhausted, made rush
to get on the caboose, which l succeeded
In doing just as the train again pulled
out, my object being to watch where
those men would get off All this had
transpired in the darkness, and day was
just beginning to dawn. The train was
now Dear Crestline, which learned later.
Arriving at Crestline, the thugs left
the train and started up road. could
hardly walk, and was suffering the
agonies of death, but managed to leave
the train, keeping out of sight of the
thugs. called to passer-by, who ap-
peared to be workingman going to
work, and after telling him what had
happened, he ran for an officer. The
police quickly came, and after chase,
arrested four Of the ROBBERS, the other one
escaping. My money was not recovered,
but was given sufficient assistance to
reach home. reached Canton late Sun
day afternoon, more dead than alive, and
was lucky to escape death at the hands of
those thugs.
ut was q foolish act In me to get ON
that train, but / never dreamed of such
a thing as being robbed and thrown from
the car. never had such an experience
before, and hope the thugs and would-be
murderers will be given their just de-
serts."
The appearance of the young man
corroborated his statement as to having
been baldy used up, his hands being cut
and mashed, his face and head bruised
and his clothing being torn. He says
that 1t is the first, last and only time that
he will ever attempt to ride on freight
train.
Charles G. Upham returned to-day
from visit In Vermont at his old home.