The San Francisco call., 1897-09-09

other was in one of the coaches. The
train is usually long one, having about
twelve cars with the mailcar next to the
locomotive and the express-car immedi-
ately following it.
AS the express was flying through MOI
rano, and when within 200 yards OF the
east end OF the switch the eng ineer saw a
blaze leap up suddenly in the center of
the track, revealing an obstruction. He
quickly did what he could to bring the
train to a standstill before reaching the
obstruction, which, as he drew near, he
saw was pile of ties, about ten in num-
ber.
The train was brought to a stop when
wit hin few feet of the burning ties. The
engineer had OWNED what the presence
OF the blazing pile upon the track meant,
and, as soon as be reached for the throttle,
be sang out to the Deputy Sheriff on the
tender.
The latter started down toward the cab
with his sawed-off breech-loader, charged
with load OF bnckshot, ready for instant
use. He had hardly m we'd from his posi-
ton on the tender before, hang bang!
bang! bang Dang in quick succession
five shots were fired from point to the
right of the track, about 100 yards away.
Looking in that direction the deputy
Sheriff saw two men running across the
field. They were then so far away that to
shoot at them would have been needless
waste of ammunition, so saving his fire
he dropped off the locomotive and went
back toward the cars. He came upon
several tramps who had been stealing a
ride. On seeing him with gun in his
hands they shook with fear and one ex-
claimed:
Please, Mr.. Robber. don't shoot. Pm
only stealing a ride"
By this time the trainmen and the
other deputy came Up and began an in-
vestigation. There did not appear to be
any confederales OF the two outlaws on
the train, or, if they were, they did not
make their presence known.
1t was found that one Of the tramps
had been struck by a bullet in the hip,
but they could not tell a that time how
badly he was hurt. He, with several of
his mpanions, had been lying on top of
one of the coaches.
As the train was being brought to a
sudden stop they arose to see what oc-
casioned the action of the engineer. 1t is
surmised that the robbers, seeing them on
top of the car, supposed they were guards
sent to defend the train, and, emptying
their revolvers, fed without attemp pting to
draw near and enter the cxpress-c
1t being evident that there were no
other robbers in the vicinity and that it
would be useless 10 attempt TO pursue
without horses the two who had fed, the
trainmen removed the burning ties from
the track and the express proceeded
cautiously to Ripon, arriving twenty-five
minutes late.
No attemp was made to follow the rob-
bers from Morrano, the deputies contining
themselves to securing the tramps. who
are being held.
+ Sheriff Cunningham, who was al
Lathrop, was notified as soon as the train
arriyel here and at once proceeded to
Morrano. He was we'll equipped for a
pursuit, and the moon is shining
clearly, it is probable that he and his men
will be able to follow the tracks in the
fields.
The robbers were on foot at the time OF
the attack upon the express, but no doubt
they had horses conveniently near
After leaving the fields it will be difficult
to follow them along the travelled country
roads.
In the attempt of last Saturday night to
stop The express, at which time the rob-
bers were frightened as they we're to-
night, one left partof his coat sticking on
barbed wire fence he clim bed over.
This has given the officers good clew
to his identity. AT that time the train
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