The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-22
BUILT A FIRE
ON The TRACK.
Bandits Adopt New Method to
Stop a Train.
Engineer Attempts to Run
Through 1t But Fails.
SUPPLY OF DYNAMITE
Gives Out Before Express Safe
Can BE Opened.
Robbers Abandon Job With
Little For Their Trouble.

st. Louis, Nov. 22.-News has been re-
ceived Of the holdup OF the Iron Noun
tam cannonban train northbound az
Clifford, Ark, a few miles this side OF
AIelvern Junction. The holdup was par
ticipated in by half dozen men.
The bandits had builta huge bonfire on
the track. undoubtedly figuring that it
would cause the engineer 20 bring ths
train to a standstin. He, however, scent
ing an attempted robbery opened tbs
throttle and sought 70 push through the
fiery obstruction. Several ties of which
the fire was made. caught in the pilot
and soon brought the train to a stop.
Instantly three masked men ordered tho
engineer and fireman to leave the engine
at once. Another robber went on the
side of the car, hailed the conductor and
ordered him to remain inside. Each or
der was obeyed.
While the four robbers were standing
guard and occasionally firing a shot 10
frighten passengers, their two accom-
pllceS entered the express car anu or
dered Messenger Samuel r. Avery ia
step aside or get to the other corner.
The large safe was charged five times
with dynamite, each explosion making a
terrific noise and tearing off portions OF
the car. large hole WAS bored into
the door Of the safe, but entrance could
not be effected.
The robbers finally announced that
they had no more dynamite and then
they gave up the task Of forcing open
the door.
Then picking up the local express box
and several packages. they ran to their
horses which had been hitched near by.
and rode rapidly away.
No attempt was made to disturb or
molest the passengers, except for an oc-
casional shot at an inquisitive passen~
ger who peered out Of a car window
Messenger Avery was badly hurt
about the head and face by dying spin-,
ters hurled about by the dynamite ex-'
one side OF his face was badly lacera-
/ ted and several teeth were knocked out.
He was sent to his home at st. Louis on
the same train.
The top and one side Of the express
car were shattered 20 splnters.
The sheriff Of Hot Springs county, or
! ganized a posse and started at once i'm
/ pursuit Of the robbers. The train crew
/ say the bandits are amateurs, as they
went at their work I'm bungliug fash
/ ion. All wore masks.
The train men say the small box car
ried off by the robbers contained about
$500. 1t is positively known that the
| robbers secured several sacks Of silver
| containing $780,
TRAIN REACHES ST. LOUIS.
st. Louis, Nov. 22.-The Cannon BAH
train on the Missouri Pacific and Iron
| Mountain railroad which was held up
by masked men at CLIFFORD, three miles
from Malvern. Arkansas last night.
1 reached here at 10 a. IN. today. Sam r..
/ Avery. the express messenger. who was
/ injured in the attempt to dynamite the
/ through safe on the express car was the
/ only one Of the crew who came through
| with the train. He Is not seriously iu-
jured, though his face was badly cut by
| flying splinters. The messenger could
not tell Just how much the robbers ae-
| cured, but thought the amount WAS
| small. The damaged express car was
left at Little Rock.