The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-04
ROBBERY
HOW THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC
TRAIN WAS HELD UP.
Messenger Hayes Might Have Gotten
Couple Of Robbers. but He
Got the Wrong Cartridges.

Superintendent Taft. OF the Wells, Fargo
& Co.'S express, arrived yesterday morning
from West Texas, where he had been work
ing on the Comstock train robbery case
Up to last night the robbers had not been
apprehended, and nothing the official Of
fered Indicated that they would be soon.
After leaving the scene OF the hold-up the
Rangers tracked the bandits to the Rio
Grande. where they crossed into Mexico.
short distance UP the river the gang re-
crossed into Texas and went north The
Rangers, although arriving at the point of
the raid three hours after II had been COM
mitted, were unable to take the trail be-
fore morning.
The express people believe that the Com
stock gang was the same that held up the
Southern Pacific at Langtry Just n year
ago securing several thousand dollars
Their GOODNESS of manner Indicated that
they had had some experience in the art
OF train robbery, and. in fact. the remarks
OF the leader of the band to Express Mes
senger Hayes was, after a manner, con-
fession Of the raid of last May.
There were only four men in the hold
up, two of whom paid their respects to the
engineer while the latter was oilng his
engine, and told him to get out of the
station at once. The engineer, Jordon,
asked for more time TO finish lubricatiug
but that was denied him. While riding
west on the engine the robbers swore at
VIII and displayed their ix-sbooters
Al point three miles west of Comstock
they ordered Engineer Jordon to stop,
which he did, and the other two of the
gang climbed aboard the locomotive They
ran for another mile ana stopped again
Here the engineer and his fireman, In COM
pany with the robbers went back TO un-
couple the express cat, which was ac-
eonplishod with some delay and aroust d
the suspicious of the express messenger
Inc ofntlals OF the express company have
Always believed that il Hayes secured a
half show he would make some OF tbs
train robbers bite the dust and their
conclusions would have been verified last
week had IL not been for mistake the
messenger made in loading his shotgun
Whiie the robbers We're standing by the
side OF the locomotive, awaiting the en-
gineer and fireman, Dick" Hayes peered
from the door OF his car with Winchester
shotgun in hand. Two OF the bandits
were In full view. and load OF buckshc {
would have ended their careers AT an
opnortune moment Hayes broke his gun to
place shell in the chamber, but it caught
and would not work. Subsequent investi-
cation revealed that the shells were the
wrong gauge.
The car was uncoupled and taken for
some distance. The robbers climbed into
the car and asked fer money. Hayes told
them that there was none. whereupon hey
replied hat they would sooner have coin
than his word.
i thought you got considerable money
IN your last haul remarked Hayes "You
should have money left"
We got plenty" replied the leader. "but
that's been spent"
stick of dynamite was placed on The
through safe. ard fired Whom all were out
OF the car. After the explosion the leader
climbed into the car again, and. placing
his hand through tho hole n.the safes Ton
made by the explosive, remarked to his
comrades that the old man was right
there was no money in sight with a cou-
pie of shots Just to show that they were
around, and through with the Job the rob
befs rode away in the moonlight HAYES
had cieverly secreted all the yaluables and
money the small safe contained thus keep
Ing tho bandits from getting dollar.