The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-25
ROBBERS GOT A ROUND SUM.
SOUTHERN ENTREES OFFICE AT
JOHNSTON STATION OUT S1,15O.

The Thieves on the watch, and
when the Agent Left His Office 10
look After IA Freight Train They
seized the Money PacIxaGe-The
Money Belonged to the Southern
Pine COmpany-NO Clue to the
Robbers.
The Southern Express Company was
robbed of 81, $50 night before last at Johns
ton station, forty-five miles south Of Sa-
vannah, on the Savannah. Florida and
Western railway.
The money was shipped by the Southern
Pine Company of this city to its agent,
five or six miles from Johnston
station. 1t left here at 4:10 O'Clock and
on arriving at it's destination was turned
over to the agent. The agent took charge
OF the bag containing the money and car
ried it into his Office. He was called out
by passing freight train a few moments
later. He locked the front door of the
office, but did not put the money in the
safe. Returning a short while afterward,
he found the money gone.
1t was stated last night that the
express company's agent at Johnston was
away at the time of the robbery, attend
Eng the funeral of his mother
and that the railroad agent at
the station was performing his duties If
this were the case, 1t is said the messenger
should not have delivered the money to
the railroad agent, but should have car
ried il on to WaycrOss.
News of the robbery was wired the Plant
system Office here, and the operator tried
10 call up Mr.. f. L. Cooper, Savannah
agent of the express company, by tele-
phone to inform him of the affair. The
message was not received. however. and
Mr.. Cooper knew nothing of the robbery
until he got down town. Then his Informal
ton was very meagre, being only that CIV
en- him by Chief of Police McDermott.
A man giving his name as Ernest
Miller, ana his nationality as Eng
hsh was taken in charge
by Sergt. Leonard at the Savannah, Florida
and Western station. and sent to police
headquarters. He had cone in on a
northbound freight, and was locked up
as a suspicious character. Close ques-
tioning failed to elicit anything from Mil
Ter that would indicate his completely in
the robbery. 1t was said that he and a
companion were together aboard the train
and that they had gotten on near John
ston. When they reached Southover juno
ton someone walked through the car
which the train crew think the pair be-
heved it to be an officer. At all events
they jumped from the train, as the
story was told, A1nler's COM
panion carrying a package He made
his escape, but Miller was caught
In barb wire fence, and the pursuing
train crew brought him on to the city,
He was not arrested, nor is he held at
the instance of the express company.
None of the details of the robbery have
been officially received here. Superintend-
ent Myers is away from the city, and Il
is believed he has gone to the scene Of
the robbery.
The theory of the robbery is that the
man who took the money was concealed
In the freight house and slipped into the
Office while the agent was away The
sliding door to the freight house was found
just far enough ajar to admit of a man
slipping through.
Mr.. Cooper said that, II he
Rad had indisputable proof
that the robbery had been committed. and
that the express company was liable. he
would have RENTED the money 10 replace
that stolen. The money was sent to nav off
the Pine Company's labor. If the messen-
ger turned the money over to the railroad
agent the express company will remain
liable. The lack of definite Information rem
dered the company unable to tell lust how
the robbery happened, or from whom the
wurTns al