Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-04-24
Efforts of the Southern Express Company
to Capture the Guilty Partles-Descrlp-
ton of tho Rnbberles-Tho
Reward offered.

Efforts of the Southern Express Company
to Capture the Guilty PsrtIes-Descrlp-
ton of tho Robberles-Tho
Reward offered;
Ever since the robbery OF Louisville
( Nashville train No. 4 neal Calera,
Ala, on the night of March 9th the de-
tectives of the Southern Express Com
pany have been industriously at work
on the case, following every clue that
to the identity of tho robbers
and pursuing the trail when it has been
possible TO do so.
Some interesting Developments have
resulted from this search, which are
given by Mr.. II. c. Fisher, superintend-
ent OF the Southern Express Company,
who has directed the chase OF the rob-
bers. Mr.. Fisher says first that there
were but two men in the robber band.
1t will be recalled that at the time 1t
was claimed that six men participated
In the robbery, the two who boarded
the train as it was leaving Calera and
covered the engineer and fireman with
pistols and four others who were alleged
to have been seen standing guard be-
side the track at the scene OF the rob-
berry. Nobody, however, but tho negro
fireman claimed to have seen six men.
All Che rest observed only two. 1t is
now settled that two robbers did the
entire job and they were the men who
boarded the engine.
Mr.. Fisher further makes tho state
ment that the robbers secured Sass,
After the hold-up they made their way
across tho country to Pell City, where
they boarded a train for Gainesville,
Ga. They were last heard Of at Rono,
Ga, which city thoy left on March 18th,
but whore they went is n mystery.
1t Is known that the Southern Ex-
press Company's detectives have been
in Georgia for some time following up
every clue which might lead to tho
capture OF the guilty parties, but so far
without success. They disappeared at
Rome as if the earth had opened and
received them.
Their Descriptions.
superintendent Fisher furnishes the
descriptions of the robbers and details
of their flight given below:
Robber No. | is about 20 or 80 years
| of age, 5 feet 10 or II inches high, and
weighs 100 to 17o pounds; his eyes are
large and blue and show considerable
white; he has fair complexion; his nose
is rather longer than the ordinary; his
hair is light sandy, nearly red, cut
quito short, and parts nearly in the
middle; perhaps he is slightly lame or
stiff in his left leg below tho kee; he
saws this came from breaking the small
bone of the leg while working in q
mine; he has a square face, clean Sbaven,
rather high cheek bones, and when he
laughs his upper lip draws tight and hi'
upper teeth show; his face and neck are
ford, looks somewhat Irish, but does
not sneak as if he was an lrishman
does not use tobacco. He has a scar OF
lett side of his face about n and
quarter inches long, extending from
bottom of his nose to his cheek; this
scar looks like it was powder-burnt; sale
his name was jim Thomas, but hi
partner called him "Will' once or twice
looks like a railroad man and at time
uses ''up-to-date' railroad expressions
his voice is commanding, somewha
harsh. and he talks much about Nc
Kinley's election, and of his being
free silver man, and wants to DO know
as the FIR end of poor people; his coat
pants and vest were of navy blue, tn
coat being cut sack; had on a blue shirt
which was perhaps flannel; his hat wa
low crowned and rather broad-brimmed
and was marked on the inside mo. Z.
His shoes were the sharp-toed, or tooth
nick" style. and his necktie was a dove
colored, or black check. On the thir
finger of his left hand he wore a rim
which had a brown or dark set. IL
did not use sugar in his coffee at tn
table. He Is evidently a Sou~thern-raise,
man and does not know much abou
farming. lie carried a railroad maj
which he frequently consulted, and ais
a memorandum book with names Of ALI
bama and Georgia towns written !
same. He wore a fine gold watch, whic
he obtained in the robbery. In CONVEX
sation at times he lowers his forehea
and appears to DO looking at you throug
his eyebrows. and when his head is /
this position his Dyes show a large pre-
portion OF white.
No. Q is between so and IS years {
age, about 5 feet 8 inches high, fu
breasted and broad, square shoulder
looks heavy set, weighs about 1,
pounds, dark skin, round, full blac
eyes, dark, dropping mustache; had O
a dark suit of clothes; coat faded, MOI
noticeable about the shoulders and co
lar; suit was we'll worn; was made we
and out Of good material; had on q so
hat which turned up on the edges q
around, called a Cigarette" Dutch,
or "traveling hat" wore ordinary roun'
. toed shoes, one OF which he had cut
: the leather and in the elastic on out
side of shoe, in order to relieve h
ankle which was very badly swollt
from a sprain caused by stepping on
turning rock while fleeing from Il
) scene Of the robbery. His left ank
was badly swollen and was being treat,
with linimcnt as late as March 18th, {
S which date the two men were last sc,
at Rome, Ga. His hair was black al
cut rather close; he had a band 20
. ring on his little finger OF left han
I ordinarily talked low and but little al
$ occasionally a word or two OF forei,
e accent; when on the subject of tho 7
cent prize fight he is rather moro wore
than on any other subject; he che,
y tobacco and uses from a plug OF navy.
Amount and Reward.
;, Mr.. Fisher says his company will p
$500 reward for the men who actual
committed the robbery, and that q
y information Of their location or ARE
: can be com 10 uuicated to him at Mas
Vile, Tom, by telegraph or by lett,
He says that tho amount OF mon
taken BY the robbers was about 81, A
and that when they arrived at Ron
Ca, on the night Of March 18th tn
had spent only about IS or $40 Of
amount.
!. He says that one.third Of the amou
! OF the money recovered will DO add
= 10 the above reward OF $780,