The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1896-09-25
nornFRIN A coFFiN.
Thrilling Experience with a Can
OF Dosperadoes,


said the express messenger. "was whom
i WIS travelling on the oitncrn Pacific
road. ! hud just woke up out Of nan
I'm tho cxprcss-room when saw some.
thing that iroze the blood in my veins.
There WIS "a colin In one end Of the
room. aud could just catch "a glimpse
OF cruel face turned toward me. Il
belonged TO truin.robbor was sure.
aud my rifles were on the other side of
ihe cur II I made a step he would
shoot me dead. and then notify his
a.sOcinies, who were probably In tho
passcuger.cnr
We had enough gold on board TO
make man rich. felt the responsi.
bnlty. and knew / must act nj once.
pretended TO awaken by making two
or three movements with my hands.
aud 10 my intense relief the cover OF
the pine box quickly dropped to its
place Without making any buried
motion. rubbed my eyes, gaped once
o. twice. and slowly rose TO my feet
well. we'll" said aloud, 1--WE
been asleep"
Then | procccdef o rummage
around the chr rs n nothing had hap.
pencd but my nerves were not relaxed
an instant Before the train had gone
i've miles farther had some nalis in
my pocket A quick, careless glance
showed me a holo In tho side Of tho
box through which the robber was
undoubtedly watching every move.
mcnt made.
did not 20 near the rovolvers or
rlnos. II would have taken but a
second for him TO have raised the lid
and shot me, and knew no would do
80 II | approached them. Instead Of
that carolessly assorted pilo OF
express matter near tho box. with Il
view to what | was 70 do.
was terribly excited. though |
tried 10 appear cool. Whom was all
ready threw several heavy packages
on the lid, sat down on tho box. aud
hustily nailed down tho lid. heard
a noise within and felt u pressure ns
my prisoner cndcnvorad to raise the
lid. The weight was too great aud |
soon had all the nails driven in TO hold
him fast lilo was secured. but to
mako sure Of him surrounded the
box with heavy bundles aud piled
upon II the heaviest boxes the car con-
tanned.
'n, down Tor n minute to recover
myself. then. taking down u rifle,
cooked Z loud enough for him to hear.
"llow many moro are there aboard
the train3' | asked, placing my mouth
to crack between the bricks.
In reply heard muiiled sound re-
scmb ling curse, and MS all tho holes
through which no might shoot were
covered with gold and silver | put my
mouth nearer aud askcd tho question
again.
| received no reply, and going to
tho other end OF the cur quietly
opened the door leading to the plat
form. The night ale rushed in and
tho noise OF the train with II. making
u din In my cars. We were running at
n high rate Of speed around the hills
that abound In that region
stepped to the platform OF tho next
car IL was smolSlng-car. Tho
trnln-robbers were already at work.
Two men In the forward end, within
five feet Of me. commanded n view Of
every passenger, with their leyoled ro-
volvers, and two more were going
down the alslcs for the vulunblos.
II was terrible moment 10 me.
felt keen sympathy FOR the passcn-
gers. whose terror-stricken faces ]
could see In the dim light from the
lamps. but was helpless; doubtless u
similar scene was being enacted In the
other passenger aud sleeping ears.
was hot aud cold by turns. |
watched the villains going coolly on
with their work until began 10 think
OF my own safety. Charley Slate n
brakeman. wis bound hund and foot in
the forward seat; In few minutes
thoy would finish their daring work
aud come to my ear. did not doubt
that the follow hud imprisoned In
the pine box WIS an accomplish, and
II they should iind the door OF the OK
press car locked they would break II
open to SOC what had become OF him.
and kin me II resisted.
This would enable them to take pos
session OF the money, bullion, and val
liable packages and escape. | knew
they would not kiln any one II he did
not resist, and inside OF five minutes
they would demand un entrance to my
ear.
Already the two robbers had nearly
reached the farther end OF the smoking
ear Thousands OF dollars were In my
care; | must save H.
Without any more hesitation | step
ped 10 the platform OF my car, grasped
the lover that operated the Miller
coupling. aud with quick, strong pull
separated the two draw heads. was
not moment too soon. Before the
engine and eXpress-car had shot 200
feet ahead OF the train the door OF the