The San Francisco call., 1896-12-25
BANDITS FAIL TO
ROB THE BIG SAFE
But They Make a Heavy
Haul by the Alton Train
Hold-Up.
Express Messenger Fryer Given
a Twc.Dollar Bill for a
Christmas Present.
From the Manner in Which They
Handle the Engine the Robbers Are
Ex.Railway Employees.


cago and Alton train 49, which was held
up last night In Blue Cut, arrived here at
lis o'clock this afternoon, Express Nd s.
senger Freyer said that the big safe, which
was consigned through from the Pacific
Coast to Chicago, was not robbed. One OF
the robbers placed q gun at Freyer's head
and ordered him to hold up his hands.
They then secured the keys OF the small
safe from Freyer's pocket and ritied the
sa g of its entire contents, consisting OF
great deal of jewelry and considerable
amount of money.
The bandits demanded that Freyer
operate the time lock on the big safe, but
were finally p rsuaded by him that 1t was
impossible. after which they began to
drill hole and prepare dynamite
stick. Freyer argued. with them that their
efforts would be futile, as the sale con-
tanned nothing OF value, and finally per-
suaded them to let it alone.
Freyer said that IN the money secured
from the small safe was quantity OF
gold, ten and twenty dollar pieces, and
tAat one OF the men declared, ''Thats
the kind of stuff we are alter" After the
men had cleaned out the small safe they
searched Freyer's clothing and took all
the money on his person. He demurred
at this and the leader of the gang tossed
him So bill, saying: "Get yourself a
drink for Christmas present"
The robbers finally declared that they
must skip, as time was pressing, and
jumping from the car ran to the engine
and started it down the track to point
1T 1nla 80 fflt,
where they aiighted and disappeared in
the woods.
When the passengers in the train learned
that the express car was being robbed,
they became greatly excited, but nobody
ventured out. In the Pullman coach,
which contained one woman and iour
men, there was confusion. The vestibules
were locked and the shades drawn, Will.
the passengers hid their money and jew
elry III every conceivable place of safety.
From the familiar manner in which the
express-car was uncoupled and the loco
motive handled, the express officials be-
heve that the robbers were former railway
employees and understood the nature of
the train and the fact that it ordinarily
carried a large amount of money in the
express-car.
Messenger Freyer insists that so far as
he could see there were put three men en-
gagged in the robbery, all of whom were
masked and armed.
Superintendent Williamson declares
the amount of money secured by
the robbers is small ana at wide esti-
mate will not reach $1,000. Passengers on
the train, however. declare that the rob-
bers secured at least $4,000.
CHICAGO, ILL, Dec. 24.-At the local
Office of the Chicago and Alton Railway
Company the following statement in re-
gard to the robbery was given out to-day
''The train was tagged by red and white
lanterns just west of the Missouri Pacific
bridge east of Independence. Robbers
took charge of the engine and made the
enginemen get off. The conductor and
brakemen came ahead and the robbers
took charge of them. They made the
brakeman go back and get the train
wrench and cut off the express-car. They
made considerable noise and did much
loud talking and pounding on couplings
while doing the work, in order to give the
expressman a chance to hide away his
Etuls w AOu tnO liam w do Gut tuo TOD
bers made the traimen get off while they
took the engine and express-car away.
They next stopped in the cut about half.
way between the top of the hill and Glen
coe and raped on the express car door.
The expressman opened it and realized
for the first time that he was being held
up.
"All OF his vaIuables were exposed. He
claims not to have had time to put them
in the safe before leaving Kansas City. II
was therefore not necessary for the rob-
bers to open the safe, although they were
amply provided with dynamite for that
purpose. The amount secured foots up
about $2500 cash and may reach $300O
Alter robbing the car they cut the bell
cord. pulled the tankpin and cut off the
air, and ordered the express man to SET
the hand brake on the express car. They
all got on the engine and ran her to the
second iron bridge east of Glendale, where