Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-01-02

was, when he, too, was covered with a
gun. He was asked to pass over what
funds he had, and he handed one of the
men 81. Asked If it was company mon
ey, he replied mo" and the bandi
handed him back 81, saying that he
would make an even divide. Then he
was marched back and compelled to cut
the baggage n express cars loose
from the train.
Horace Matthews, gateman on the
rain, and Rear Brakeman Rogers
started down from the train to see what
was the trouble, when they were or
dered Jack or be shot.
Hide Their V~aluabics.
The passengers were appraised of
what the trouble was, and the usual
scenes followed. Some OF the women
became hysterical and hid their valua-
ables, and after the robbers had pulled
out with the engine and cars many were
unable to find where they had secreted
them. The Black Crook company
was on board.
Express officials say the run, so far
as money was concerned. was light, but
they have a heavy run Of freight, the
safe containing only three small pack
ages OF jewelry. The baggage car was
numbered 10 and contained the bag
gage of the BLACK Crook company,
which was recently stranded In this
city. When the train had passed Glen
wood he express car was entered and a
few small packages were taken. h
engine was then cut from the cars and
.,. ,oi1A fprthnr On Whara A.. was
abandoned and killed, and the robbers
took to the timber.
st. Louis, Mo-, Dec. 4.-The local Of
ncials Of the Pacific Express company
claim to have but little Information or
the train robbery on the Chicago and
Alton road in the blue Cut last night,
but are inclined to believe that the big
safe was not blown open as reported.
The train Is expected to arrive here at
about / o'clock this afternoon and Mes
senger Frier will then make his report
TO the superintendent OF this division.
Kansas City, Mo, Dec. 24.-Ei Lewis,
superintendent of the United States
Express here, states In posi-
tive terms that the large safe was not
blown open in the Blue Cut train rob-
berry last night. Marshal Keshlear OF
this city, who headed a posse Of officers
at | o'clock this morning. leaving here
on a special train, which picked up the
looted train and placed it on a siding,
who was in the express car, also says 1t
was not blown open.
st. Louis, Mo-, Dec. 24.-The train
arrived here at 10 o'clock this afternoon
and Express Messenger Frier was inter-
viewed by a reporter OF the United
Associated Presses. He said that the
big safe, which was consigned through
from the Pacific coast to Chicago, was
not robbed. One of the robbers placed
a gun at Frier's head and ordered him
to hold up his hands. The robbers then
secured the keys of the small safe from
Frier's pockets and rified the safe of
Its entire contents, consisting
Of a great deal of jewel
nv and a considerable amount
of money. The robbers were persuaded
by Frier from attacking the big safe.
Frier says that in the money secured
from the small safe was a quantity OF
gold ten and twenty dollar pieces,
After the men had cleaned out the
small safe they searched Frier's cicth-
ing and took all the money on his per
son. He demurred at this, and thel lead
err of the gang tossed him a 50 bill soy
ing: Get yourself a drink for a Christ
mas present"