The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-02
THREE MEN HOLD UP A TRAIN.
THE SAFE IN THE EMPRESS CAR
OPENED WITH DYNAMITE.


The Trains Crew and Passengers
Kept Under Control by Lively Fir-
ing of a Winchester Rffe-The En-
gineer and Fireman Compelled tn
DO just what the Robbers OrdereH
Posse Hunting Far the Bandits
and Their Booty.
St. Louis. April 1.-The Frisco fast ex-
press" from the west, which left Lebanon
Mo- 1S2 miles west of st. Louis, a little
before ] O'Clock this morning, was held
up by three masked men, near Richland,
% miles east of Lebanon. about o'clock
this morning. When the train was near
Richland the engineer saw a red lighU
down the track He reversed the lever.
applied the air brakes. and stopped the
train. The engineer and fireman poked
their heads out Of the cab window, to
see what the trouble was. That instant
there was flash, and a bullet Whizzed
past the engineers head and buried it,
seit IN the woodwork: Ihan sprang into
the cab with Winchester rifle and COM
manded the engineer and fireman 10 hold
up their hands Then he compelled tho
engineer to get down and help. the rob-
bers get into the express car. They made
the engineer mount the platform, and
with Wlnchesters prodding him from be-
his car. II was not until several volieys
had been poured into the car through
the door that the messenger unbolted hia
door and admitted the robbers.
The messenger declared that everything
IN the car worth taking was securely
locked in the through safe. TO which ha
robbers produced from a bag a package
Of dynamite. and went to work to blow
the safe open. They worked nearly an
hour, firing their guns all the time OUT
side the train to intimidate the passen-
gers and trainmen.
The messenger was badly hurt by BEING
struck on the head by the butt end OF a
gun. At last the safe was opened, the
booty secured. and the robbers mounted
horses and galloped off in the darkness.
A posse left Lebanon early this morning
in pursuit. The express officials claim
not 10 know how much the robbers got,
but one OF the passengers says he heard
the messenger say there was over $4,000
one OF the three train robbers was a
youth of IL, who stood guard over the
trainmen while the others did the work.
The loss may be any amount from $4,000
to 100000. All the waybilis were de-
stroyed. In their haste the robbers drop
ped one package of $1.700
After some time consumed In drilling
the safes, the first charge was exploded,
creating faint shock. In a few minutes
a second and heavier shock did the work.
The bandits cut the engine loose and
started down the track. Engineer Price
offered to go with them to take care of
the engine, but they said they did not
need him, as they knew something abour
engines. An eighth Of a mile east Of the
train they left the engine and mounted
their h, 'ses, which had been picketed near
by.
Good descriptions are given of the three
robbers, and as the country is aroused
and pursuit active, 1t is thought that they
cannot escape.
The St. Louis agency Of the Wells Fargo
Express Company refuse information as
to the amount OF money in the through
safe.
Lebanon, Mo-, April IAN hour after
the robbery was reported here a posse
made up Of 100 citizens started in pur-
suit of the robbers. This afternoon a
member of the posse returned. He SAYS
they found in the woods west of where
the robbery took place two checks. one
for $4,40O and one for SIS, and also an
envelope containing a s. bill Hence, IL
Is supposed that the cutting loose Of
the engine was merely a blind, and that
the robbers jumped off within a few
yards and took horses and came west
across the country. At Least, this is the
theory the officers are proceeding on.
Wells, Fargo a. Co. have issued a cir
cular Offering $500 reward for the arrest
Of the bandits.