The San Francisco call., 1898-03-24
COT AWAY
 WITH SACKS
 OF MONEY w ells-Fa argos Heavy Loss in the TraVer
 HOld-Up. Outlaws Booty Estimated at From $4O,OOO to
 $8O,OOO. Most Successful Train Robbery Executed in California
 in Years
SKILL OF THE BANDITS.
They Calmly arried- Out Their Plans.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 FRESNO, March 23.-The footing of the express and mail cars of the north bound Southern Pacific passenger train at Cross Creek trestle, four miles north of Traver, last night, was one of the most successful and cleverly planned holdups ever committed in this State. Several trains had been held up at the same place before, but none so skill fully Two daring bandits obtained all the treasure in the express car, and also the United States registered mail. They did not leave a clew to their identity. The amount of their booty is estimated at from $4O000 to $SO,O0O. A well known railroad official made a conservative estimate of $60,000.
 The robbers boarded the train at Goshen and were seen by four tramps two white men and two colOred bOys) to climb upon the blind baggage, be- tween the express car and the mail car. They were supposed to be hobos The robbers climbed on top of the express car when about two miles out from Goshen and got down to the engine ten der. One of the men told the tramps to keep quiet and they would not be hurt. The bandits were disguised by black masks They were medium sized and weighed perhaps between 160 and TO pounds each. They carried Winches- ters and reVolVerS.
 They crawled over the coal on the tender and made their presence known to the engineer and fireman by calling, Hands up.' Engineer James Moore and Fireman Irish Dan" turned around to see what was the matter. Each was covered by a revolver and their hands went up with alacrity.
 You will not be hurt; we are not after you fellows said one of the ban dits, who seemed to be the leader.
 Engineer Moore started to shut off the steam and stop the train, but the spokesman for the robbers ordered him to desist. After running for about a mile Cross Creek trestle was approach ed. This was the spot that the out laws had selected for the robbery. It is a lonely spot, surrounded by miles of alkali plains. Clumps of willows along the creek afforded a convenient hiding place for confederates. The creek winds around so that within 100 feet the track crosses it twice.
 Engineer Moore was instructed 10 stop so that the baggage car would
  tween the two trestles. This left the robbers an advantageous position Tor defense in case a posse was organized to molest them at their work. No one could approach the little knoll of lano without first crossing over the creek in the front or the rear.
 When the train came to standstlll the engineer and fireman were ordered to get out of their cab and accompany the robbers. As soon as they reached the ground the bandits began firing toward the rear of the train to int1m1- date the passengers and keep them ln the cars.
 Brakeman J. C. Novels jumped off when the train stopped to go forward and inquire into the cause Of the delay Hardly had he touched the ground be- fore the robbers detected him and Sent q fusillade of bullets 'Whfzzing around his head His lantern made good mark for the shooters and was hastily dropped. Nowells did not inquire into the particulars, but climbed back upon q passenger car. Several bullets hit the car near the brakeman
 About this time Southern Pacific De- tective O. J. Meade, who was a passen- ger on the train, jumped off the smok- ing car and opened fire on the robbers, who were some distance away prepar- ing to blow open the express car door with a dynamite bomb. The bandits directed their shots toward the detec- tive. and he retreated after firing three shots from his revolver Meade en- deayored to organize a posse among the passengers for the purpose of cap turing the robbers, but the men on the train were not anxious to go bandit hunting and refused to accompany the detective.
 The engineer and fireman were com nelled to keep in front of the robbers ae rrotectiOn for the latter'S bodies. Express Messenger Charles Pease was ordered 10 open his door, but pluckily refused A dynamite bomb was then nIaced against the door ot the express ear and the fuse lighted. There was a loud explosion and the door crashed to nieces. Pease refused to come out of the car. He was armed and stood ready to blow off the first head that came 1T sight Engineer Moore called to the messenger not to shoot, as he ana the fremen were in front of the bandits.
 .sT will shoot the first man that enters the car," defiantly answered Tease.
 we will fix you, then" said one oi the robbers.
 He lighted the fuse on a dynamite bomb and threw the destructive mlsSle through the open door of the express car, intending to kill the messenger Pease called out that he would sur render, and with great presence o1 mind picked up the bomb and threw Il out of the car. A moment later 1t ex- ploded. The bandits allowed Pease to jump out of the car and surrender.
 We did not want to hurt you, any way" said the leader
 One of the men then climbed into tht express car and placed heavy charge safe. He ignited the fuse and Jumped