The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-29
MAILBAGS ARERIFLED
And Two Safes Blown Open on the
Southern Pacific by Highwaymen.

Southern Pacific by Highwaymen.
Portland, Ore, Jan. 29.-The north
bound overland train which left San
Francisco Wednesday and is due here
this morning, was held up two miles
west of Roseburg, Ore. ,sarly this morn
ing. AS soon as possible after the hold
up began, Fireman Hendricks of the
train crew slipped out of the engine and
ran on to Roseburg and gave the alarm.
Aiming himself quickly he started back
to the scene of the trouble. Superin-
tendent Fields of the Southern Pacific
road who was at Roseburg, took posse
of a dozen armed men and an engine and
started for the scene Heavy explosions
of dynamite or powder were distinctly
heard at Roseburg- During the pro-
gress Of the hold up, the light of either
a fire, or a torch was seen.
Fireman Hendricks stated that the
train was first tagged by the highway
men. The express car was then looted
and burned, and the safe blown OPEN
No one was hurt and the highwaymen
succeeded in making their escape.
San francisco, jan 29.-The following
particulars of the train robbery near
ROSeburg, Ore, were given out by
Southern Pacific officials here: Train
held up this morning a Shady Point,
two miles south of ROseburg by two or
three men. The express car was de-
tached from the train by the robbers
and the door blown open with dyna-
mite Two small safes in the car were
then blown open and looted. The ex
press car then took fire. The conductor
and trainmen worked hard to save the
car after the robbers had gone but the
car and contents were destroyed
The train was on time at Shady Point
where Engineer Morris saw man at
the side of the track waving a flag. He
slowed up for the signal and as he
brought the train to stop, a man arm
ed with two revOlverS came over the
n him a
the same time another armed man, the
one who had tagged. appeared at the
side of the cab, and presenting a revolt
yer 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
got down on the other side. Two rob-
bers and the engineer then went to the
express car, where the robbers ordered
the express messenger to open the door,
This the messenger refused to do. The
robbers then uncOupled the express car,
returned to the engine and backed the
train, leaving the express car separated.
Meantime the express messenger had
seized the 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 car
they attacked two small safes which
they succeeded in opening. The mes
senger thought the robbers did not sue
coed in getting into the big safe and
consequently they could not have Sc
cured much money The mail car was
also visited by the robbers and regis
tered letters taken
The explosions set fire to the express
car, and when the robbers left. it was a
mass of flames. The train crew worked
like Trojans but were unable TO save it,
The car and contents We're almost to-
tally destroyed.
The passengers were considerably
shaken up and frightened, but no one
was injured.
The hold up will make the train ten
hours late getting into Portland. An
imperfect description of one robber was
secured.