The news & observer., 1897-01-30
Hold Up and Rob a Southern
Pacific Train.
EXPRESS CAR BLOWN OPEN
THE AMOUNT OF DOODLE SE-
CURED NOT KNOWN.
The U. S. MAILS RANsACKED
Registered Packages Taken--Post Of
fee inspectors Gone to the
Scene to Investigate
the Matter.

Portland, Ore, Jan. 29.-The north
bound overland train which left San
Francisco on Wednesday was held up two
miles west Of Rosenburg, Oregon, early
this morning. The express car was blown
open with dynamite and entry to the
safes obtained in the same manner 1t
is not known how much booty the robbers
obtained. They are stll at large.
The hold up occurred just out of Ro-
senburg at place called Shady Point.
As the train passed that point Engineer
Morris say a man ON the track waving
flag. In obedience to the signal he
slowed down. AS the train came to a stop
a man armed with two revolvers came
over the back of the tender and covered
him. At the same time another armed
| man, the one who had tagged the train.
appeared at the side Of the Gag and point
ing a revolver ordered the engineer not
to attempt to move the train. but TO
come down at once and go with them
TO the express car. The fireman in the
meantime had gotten down ON the other
| side The two robbers and the engineer
| then went to the express car where the
robbers ordered the express messenger to
open the door This he refused to do.
| The robbers then uncoupled the express
| car, returned to the engine and backed
| the train, leaving the express car separ-
ated. Meantime the express messenger
had an opportunity to step out of the
car. After breaking the train in two
the robbers returned to the express car,
and with heavy charges Of dynamite blew
the door open. Entering the cart hey
attacked two small safes which they sue
| eeeded in entering. The messenger
thought the robbers did not get into the
big safe and consequently they could
not have secured much money The mail
car was also visited by the robbers and
registered letters taken.
The explosions set fire TO the express
car. When the robbers left it was
mass Of flames. The train crew worked
like trojans, but were unable to save it.
The car and contents were almost total
! ~ destroyed. The passengers were con-
s.derably shaken up and frightened, but
no one was injured.
reman Hendrick. who had slipped
fron the engine when the highwaymau
appe red. ran back to Bosenburg and
gave The alarm. Superintendent Field,
Of the Soathern Pacific Railroad, who
was 81 Rosenburg, quickly took a posse
Of dozen men and an engine and start
cd for the scene.
The train arrived here this evening.
Charles Piper, the postal clerk in charge
Of the car said: 1.-TWO men did all the
work Of holding up the train, but think
| there were five in the gang. They ex-
| ploded two dynamite bombs in the ex-
press car, and half dozen on the out
side. When the express car took FIRE
| realized that my car, which was next
to the express, was in danger. One of
the robbers crew drew his revolver on
me while he went through the mail.
| don't believe he took anything of value.
The express car was soon a mass of
flames, and / set about to save my car if
possible, by carrying water from a pond
near at hand. The entire end of the mail
car was burned out, but only small part
of the mail was damaged"
UNITED STATES MAIL ROBBED.
San Francisco, Jan. 29.--The postofiee
authorities here have received a brief
dispatch from the postmaster at Rosen-
burg stating that the registered mail for
Seattle Portland and Astoria had been
taken. Postal inspectors Munro and
Thrall left this evening for the scene OF
the robbery, and will thoroughly investi-
gate the case.