The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-02

Bold Bandits Take Everything In sight
Surprtsed Tho Tralnmep.


Ell RENO. Okla. October l.-.Bandl;s
robbed the south-lound Rock Island pas
senger train and all its passengers at II
o'clock this fCrcIoon at siding No. J.
about FIVE miles south OF Minco, in the
Indian Territory.
The railroad and express officials have
feared a hol1-up in that section for
several weeks and armed guards have
been put aboard al night trains at III
Reno and carried through to Chicasha.
II had not been thought that the out
laws were bold enough 10 attack train
IN midday. This morning the trainmen
were completely surprised and they were
not prepared 10 offer any resistance when
five masked men came up 10 them AZ the
lonely siding. The place Is uninhahited.
and the only persons I'm the vicinity al
tho time were four section men. These
men tagged the train. the robbers hav-
ing compelled them 10 do so. The ban
dts were hidden az the time in a brush
pile and jumped out as soon as the
passenger train had taken the siding.
Under the pressure Of Winchesters ana
ugly-looklng six-shOoters the trainmen,
the express messenger and all OF the
score or more Of passengers were made
to climb down from the train and stand
the railway. While three Of the robbers
covered the badly frightened crowd with
their guns. the other two coolly ana
carefully robbed them. passing from one
passenger 10 another down the lire.
The bandits secured about $500 I'm cash
and such other valuables I'm the way OF
watches, pins and jewelry as were IN
sight.
The few women passengers were not
compelled 10 givefup their valuables ana
Rev. MIR Roe one OF tho passengers. who
was sick. was not compelled 10 leave the
coach Jim wright Of Minco, showed
a disposition 10 resist when the bandits
ordered "hauds up." They sfOt cne
OF his ears off TO prove to his satisfac-
ton that his bravery was ill-advised.
Wrights hands then went up. No one
else was injured
The passengers and trainmen having
been thoroughly plucked. three OF the
bandits turned their attention 10 the eN-
press and mail coaches. the others stand
ing guard over the helpless crowd IN the
praric The registered mail pouches
were quickly rihed but the through safe
in tho express car rosister all the force
and the ingenuity OF the road agents.
When the messenger had convinced the
bandits that ne could not open the strong
box there rcsOrtcd 10 dynamite. Several
heavy charges were exploded, but the
safe proved bandit proof and though 1T
was badly battered its contents were
saved a. the express company Having
taken forciblc possession of cvcry thing
they could carry away, the bandits
mounted their horses and rode of TO the
-
Az soon as the trainmen could collect
their wits. they got their scared passen-
Gcrh aboard and hurried on TO the next
station south - Chicksha - from which
point the railroad officials were notified
Of the hold-up. At Chicksha. a posse
was hurriedly formed. and az once set
ont I'm hot pursuit OF the gang. and Of
ncers have been dispatched from III Reno
and other points IN this section. Ii is
hardly possible that the bandits can be
overtakcn In the prairie country and they
will probably be able 10 reach the WIGHT
IA mountains 10 the west OF the scene OF
the hold-up.
Officers here believe the gang TO be
The same one that held Santa Fe trains
up at Edmunds twice during the last
month.