The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-06
Two Masked Robbers Board East
Bound Train.
Rob All the Passengers i'm the
PuIlmans.
An OLD MAN KILLED.
On Being Awakened He Shot at
the Bandits.
Both Returned the Fire With
Fatal Result.

Hugo, Col, Aug. 6.-Union Pacific
east-bound passenger No. 4, which left
Denver Saturday night, was held up
several miles west of here. just after
midnight. The robbers, two in number,
mounted the platform of one OF the
Pullman sleepers near Limon Junction,
and. after the train had begun to
make good Roadway, made a noise at
the door. The conductor, thinking some
trampS were on the train, opened the
door and a revolver was showed in his
face. He was ordered by the robbers,
who were masked, to lead the way
through the sleeperS. All Of the paSSen-
gers were asleep and the conductor was
ordered to wake them, one at time
A gun was placed at their heads and
the frightened passengers were told TO
keep quiet or they would be killed, and
at the same time were ordered to hand
over their money and vaduables.
The men went through the SleeperS
and secured about 500 in cash and a
number of gold watches and miscel-
laneOuS jeWelry.
An old man named w. J. Fay, a resi-
dent of California, who had been visit
ing at Denver, where he had left his
wife, was on the train on his way to st.
Louis. AS the robbers went through
one of the PullmanS they awakened the
gentleman, and he was told TO hand
over his money. Instead of complying
he fired shot at one Of the robbers,
but missed. Both robbers returned the
fire and one shot entered the old man 5
mouth and came out at the back OF his
head. He died almost instantly.
Miss Shaw, of Denver, a passenger on
the train. stated that when the men
entered the cars everyone was asleep
and very few knew anything OF what
was going on until they were awakened
by the robbers. She was asleep in
berth. When the men came to her
gun was thrown into her face and she
was told to be quiet and hand over her
valuables. The young woman opened
her pocketbook and let a number OF
hi foil ont ffar> fah IA
the purse containing some silver, to the
robbers. She also managed to save her
watch, which was pinned to her dress,
by keeping her hand over it.
After looting the two sleepers, the
men made the conductor pull the bell
cord, but the train was going at such
rapid rate that the robbers were
brought to Hugo before the train slowed
up enough to enable them to jump
Immediately after the bandits left the
train, the crew got off and notified the
authorities, and it is thought the men
will be captured, as the officers were
soon on their trail. All the stations
along the line were notified of the hold
up.
The robbery took place a few min
uteS before 1 o'clock and the train was
delayed here until 2:30 The body of the
old man who was killed was taken off
at Hugo and shipped to Denver. The
dead man was IS years of age and
prominent Odd Fellow of California.
One of the passengers. who was re-
prevailed upon the robbers to return
him 25 cents in order that he might get
his breakfast.
The conductor, who was made to hold
bag while the bandits robbed the
passengers, lost his timepiece, and he
asked that it be returned to him in
order that he might run his train on
time. The robbers gave back the watch.
While passing through one of the cars
the conductor dropped his pocketbook,
and, after the men had left the train,
he returned and picked it up.
When the robbers left the train they
compelled the conductor to get off
ahead of them so that, if any of the
passengers We're in waiting, they would
shoot him first. He was then ordered
to return to his train, and the robbers
made their eScape in the darkness.