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 n of the
men 81. Asked IL it was company mon"
ey, he replied No" and the bandit
handed him back 81, saying that he
would make an even divide Then he
was marched back and compelled to cut
the baggage and express cars loose
from the train.
Horace Matthews, gateman on the
train, and Rea Brakeman Rogers
started down from the train to see what
was the trouble, when they were or
dered back or be shot.
Hide Their Naluabics.
The passengers were appraised of
what the trouble was, and h usual
scenes followed. Some of the women
became hysterical and hid their valua
abies, and after ne robbers had pulled
out with the engine n 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 u of freight, the
safe containing only three small pack
ages Of jewelry. The baggage car was
numbered 13 and contained the bag
gage of the BLACK Crook" company,
which was recently stranded in this
city. When the train had passed Glen
wood the express car vas entered and a
few small packages were taken. The
engine was then cut from the cars and
run a mile further on, where 1t was
abandoned and killed, n he robbers
took to the timber.
st. Louis, Mo, Dec. 24.-The local Of
icials of the Pacific Express company
claim to have but little information OF
the train robbery on the Chicago and
Alton road In the "Blue Cut asst night,
but are inclined to believe that the big
safe was 70 blown open as reported.
The train is expected to arrive here at
about / o'clock this afternoon n Mes
senger Frier viii then make his report
to the superintendent Of this division.
Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. A.-El Lewis,
superintendent OF the United States
Express company here. states in posi-
tive terms that the large safe was not
blown open in the Blue Cut train rob-
DeTy last light. "af -
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 1t 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 :l5 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 rifed 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 the lead
err Of the gang tossed hin a 81 bill soy
ing: "Get yourself a drink for a Christ
mas present"