The San Francisco call., 1897-01-30

railroad hoId-ups:

1895. 40
1886. 20
The James and Younger gang made the
United States historic by their bold and
outrageous attacks upon the public high
ways, and since their work was stopped
there has been no cessation of bcld and
daring ''holp-ups." Less than month
ago tram was "held up" almost within
the city of st. Louis. Within mile of
the principal depot in Cincinnati there
was a "hold-up," and the engineer and
fireman lost their lives. The land pirates
deraileda train in Alabama only few
weeks ago and many lives were destroyed.
The people of Cleveland distinctly remem-
Der the robbery of the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southern Railroad train at
Kendallvilie, Ind.
Where people dwell in the proverbial
lamb and lionlike peace an armored arse
nal almost seems unnecessary to protect
the valuables entrusted to an express COM
pany. Yet a load of deadly projectiles
pass through Cleveland, Ohio, daily. 1t
runs between st. Louis and New York,
both ways.
The arsenal cars were built by order of
the American Express Company. A bull
Iet-proof room is located in the center of
the arsenal. These rooms are built of
steel one and one half inches in thickness.
The steel doors. leading to either end of
the car each have a small peep hole" 7"
through which gun can be ranged and
fred. On either side is steel projection
foot wide and extending from the level
of the window-sill to the roof. At each
end and at the side of this arrangement
a porthole is provided, so that rifle may
be used to sweep the side of the train,
front or rear, or to shoot from the side
hole in any direction from the bomb
proof. Through apertures, where seats
for two men are provided, the top OF the
train is brought into range. The side
windows provide clear view of what is
going on across the right of way. On
racks built in the bombproof-ro are
six riot guns, each holding six cartridges.
each OF which is filled with twelve heavy
buckshot.
In a case in the armored room is a
small caisson in which Is carefully
packed ammunition sufficient for small
army, not to say anything of the Hotch-
kiss rapid firing gun and a line of
proiectiles calculated to leave, when
properly handled, little more than the
hair of bandit.
When the train to which the arsenal is
attached begins to slacken in speed two
men armed with riot guns disappear. 1t
is their duty TO traverse the whole length
of the train TO keep the American nomsd
off. They keep a sharp lookout over all
portions of the train until 1t is under good
speed. The warlike appearance does not
end with the express-car. There is no
diminution of the warlike aspect on the
locom otive.
The engine of course is a favorable
place for the bandits to commence opera-
tions. Buckled to both the fireman and
engineer are shooting arms" of the most
improved pattern, while in the cab are two
men armed with riot guns and always
ready to shoot anything from real robber
to an owl. Four guards are stationed in
the arsenal car, and they are armed with
six-shot 48-calibsr self cooking revolvers
Each mans belt carries fifty extra cart
ridges.
One of the two safes aboard the arsenal
car is only opsned at the more important
points along thNline. The other is marked
local and is opened at certain places along
the route, none of the cities being unim-
portant. The dials are removed from the
safes when they start and station agents
are equipped with extra dials. These they
must carry to the car before safe can be
opened.
The inside bolts are first unfastened by
the station agent, but he cannot gain
access without the assistance OF the mes.
senger, whose duty it is to unlock huge
paddock During stop the express-car is
watched with eagle eyes by armed men.
One of the greatest difficulties is keeping
tramps off the cars. "Hoboes" are not
permitted to ride for minute after they
are discovered, and many brief engage
ment has taken place between the train
men and these wanderers.
The train force can be added to at sew
eral points.
On the day express-cars small ire and
burglarproof safes are carried. J. P.
eager, general agent of the American Ex.
press Company, says these safes have
never been entered. OF course, If The
highwaymen were given sufficient time
they could open them, but 1T would be a
long and difficult task.
KR UTTs CRNITT ON 1HE ROBBERY.
Says the Turning of the Car Is Quite
Damage Enough.
GeneraI Manaoar 7 Kruttscbpitt of RI