The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-25
Full Details of That Most Re-
markabIe Affair.
SEVEN DYNAMITE STICKS
Destroyed the Safe and All 1t
Contained.

tie Rock and Wichita express, at a point
IN the woods between Leeds and Dawson,
seven miles from Kansas City, at $40
o'clock last night. To prevent interfer-
ence they first smashed the telegraph in
struments at the Belt Line station, the
junction of the Belt Line and the Frisco,
near tn escene Of the hold-up, and march
ed the operator D. NJ. Hisey before them
to a point half a miles east. While TWO
men covered his eye, the others tagged
the train as it approached, quickly COW
cred Engineer Slocum and Fireman Yves
ton and compelled them TO dismount, and
detaching the engine and the Pacific eX-
press car, ran them down the track a
mile and a half toward Dawson. The
passengers were unmolested but the por-
ter who attenIp red to interfere was quick
~ sent to cover by a shot directed by
one OF the roadmeu. At desolate spot
up the road, TIL baggage car was quickly
broken into, great quantities of dynamite
placed upon the through safe and the To-
cal safe placed on top Of it so much ex-
plosive was used that the car was liter
ally blown to splinters and the safes
thrown way to one side Of the track. This
morning nothing but fragments of the
local safe could be found, and the through
box was a wreck, the top having been
blown off and the door wrenched and
otherwise damaged. The explosion, which
was of such force as TO have neeen nard
distinctly in Kansas City, undoubtedly
destroyed any valuables that the safes
may dnave contained That the robbers
themselves were not blown to atems
seems strange, so terrific was the blast.
The express officials examined their one
remaining strong box this morning. They
absolutely refused to make a Statement
of their loss, saying simply that it was
<'small.
Superintendent Moore of the express
company insists that the train carried
but little treasure. A small army of de-
hectives was at the scene early this NOR
ming but up to 10 a. m, no tangible clue
to the robbers had been secured The
belief that they were old hands at the
business and was by that time safe from
capture was general
Flying debris from the shattered ex-
press car tore down the telegraph wires
dlO1k the y LISCO lIdCh, WHICH pal dIItlS
the Missouri Pacific at the point of rob-
berry. and completed the stoppage Of the
telegraphic communications begun at the
Belt Line station. 1t was therefore some
time before the news of the robbery be-
came known and stilllonger before
wreck1ng crew could be got.
A new engine had to be secured, as
that the roadmen had used had been
KILLED" 1t was $3.50 this morning before
the wrecked baggage and express mat
ter, strown in all directions was gath
cred together, the train made up and
the trip south continued.
The express matter, in many instances.
totally destroyed, was taken to Osawat-
omie, Kan Much excitement prevailed
among the passengers during their long
wait in the detached cars, though but
little firing was INDUCED in by the rob-
bers.
The robbery was undoubtedly one of
the boldest that has even been commit
ted in this locality, so noted for hold-ups.
A special train left the city for the
scene of the robbery about l o'clock this
morning. carrying several railway and
express officials.
THE OPERATORS STORY.
Operator D. H Hisey, the first man en-
countered at the junction telegraph Of
fee told his story of the robbery.
1T was ust before Missouri Pacific No.
was due" said Hisey, when two men,
q tall and a short one. came into the
telegraph office. The short one, wearing
a black mask. showed a Winchester to my
stomach and ordered me TO hold my
hands up. The tail man had cloth tied
over the lower part of his face and dis
played a big red nose and a pair of VIC
ious black eyes He carried pair Of
pliers with which he cut few wires. then
tried to smash the switchboard with his
revolver The damage did not amount
10 much
Just then the train crossed the tres
tie near by and stopped, as is usual. The
short man showed me ahead of him at
the muzzle of his Winchester down the
track 70 the train. Around the engine
were perhaps five men, wearing masks.
They had the engineer and fireman down
from the engine. The engineer. fireman
and myself were ordered to uncouple the
engine and baggage from the rest Of the
train. We complied promptly. We three
were then ordered 10 get on the train. and
stay there, under pain Of death. The por-
ter of the train came upon the scene, but
a shot from one of the robbers Caus-
ed him 10 make q hurried retreat In a
few minutes more the robbers had piled
into the engine and started down the
road. About twentq minutes later We
heard terrific explosion and soon EX-
press Messenger L. L. Hills came run
ming back and said the express car had
been blown up. He had not stayed to set
the details. I Immediately repaired my
instruments and gave the alarm"
THE EXPRESS MAN STORY.
Express Messenger Hills told an inter
esung story of his experience with the
robbers
Il was working away" said he. when
felt that my car was starting without
the rest of the train. looked out and
saw some figures of men. I realized 1t
was 9. hold-up. and ducked in. They then
came 70 the side door and beat on it with
their guns.
Let us US in or well blow you up,
they demanded I opened the door and
three men got in. They were masked
and carried sacks over their arms one
man got the drop on me, They cursed
ane and asked how much money there
was in the safes. I he'd 20 them good and
plenty The mask of one the men slip
ped and I tried TO get a good look al
him Quick as a flash he hit me on the
head with the butt Of his revolver. They
nut seven sticks of dynamite on the big
combination safe and set the portable
safe on top Of the dynamite. The car
finally stopped and they set 4 fuse. !