The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-14
George Murray, Railroad Or
fiCer, Tries to Stop Him
and Is Shot Twice.
c: w. BARNES Is A PRISONER.
He and Nelson Are Accused OF
Completely In Illinois Cen
trai HOid-Up.

John Nelson. one of the three men who
held up and robbed the Illinois Central fast
mail train at Wicklfe. Ky, early last
Wednesday morning. was surprised at No
1858 Finney avenue. where he was stopping
with his wife at O'Clock yesterday morn
Ing by ten detectives.
After a thrilling and sensa tional running
fight in which he stood off the overwhelal-
ing force with two 45-caliber revolvers,
twice woundng one OF his would-be cap
tors he made his escape. Nelson himself is
thought to lie severely wounded
Charles w. barnes, the SECOND of the trio
OF robbers, who was known a cousin ot
Nelson. but who is said. by. Mrs Nelson.
TO ba his brother. was captured .ew
moments earlier without any bloodshed by
the aid of a little strategy He has made
Ia confession. in which he duplicates Nelson
and Michael Doyle alias CCrley, The man
who was arrested Thursday at Cairo. III.
as his accompiices in the crime. Barnes
was arrested ar his home, No z3oJ West
Belle place.
With the arrest OF Doyle ut Cairo and
Barnes In this city. the authorities Of ILL.,
nois and Missouri feel somewhat ~ ease.
believing that II viii be only a matter Of a
few hours or days at the most. until they
VIII have Nelson. who is regarded as the
most desperate OF the three.
Doyle, whom the police believe TO have
had previous experiences in train hold-ups.
was brought ali the way from California by
Nelson and Barnes 20 1upervisa the holding
up ri. the Illinois Central express, The
cr1ms had bseu planned weeks ago by
Barnes and Nelson Nelson is believed 20
have been the brains OF the combination.
LOFT errfs he ia a
credited with the possession of superior
courage and bravery. Owing to the cupidi-
~ of Nelson and Barnes who attempted to
cheat Doyle out OF his share OF the spells,
q quarrel was precipitated, which eventual
ly led to the discovery OF the identity of the
robbers.
The running down OF the trio was due TO
the clever work of George Murray. chief
OF the Illinois Central Detective Bureau.
who took up the pursuit of the men within
an hour after the crime was committed and
followed them relentiessly, without rest or
sleep. until he had located them. Had il
not been for ''fluke'' on the part OF the
local officers Nelson. the chief conspirator,
who is now at large. would be safe in the
tolls with his confederates. In the attempt
to capture Nelson. Murray was twice shot
by the desperate. receiving wounds which,
while not serious. Will disable him tenn
porarfly.
tional intelligence. apparently refined and
well educated. moving in respectable ely
cles. They lived in one of the most re-
spectacle West End neighborhoods, and
enjoyed the respect and confidence OF the
people with whom they were thrown IN
contact. Both passed as men OF means. Nel
son posing al a mining promoter and Barnes
as a capitalist. and their statements were
never questioned. Both are married. and, 80
far as can be learned. their wives had
Rot the slightest suspicion that their hus-
bands, were not what they professed 10 be,
models of integrity.
Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Barnes were taken
into custody. but were released later n the
day, when the police became satisfied that
neither knew anything about the robbery.
Hold-Up Daring Job.
The train which was held up was tie Hi
nois Central fast mail No. >, Conductor
Kinkle and Engineer Tesdale in charge.
Just beyond Mayfiald Creek Bridge. three
miles south of Wicklffe, 1t was tagged by
a red and white light. When 1t slowed UP
three men approached the engine covered
the engineer ana fireman with revOlyers
and ordered them on the ground. While
one robber kept them covered, the other two
went back to the express car, where, after
firing a number of shots In the air to ter
rorize the passengers. they ordered the mes
senger, j. c. Hiokox. to open the door. He
refused. and the robbers blew the door
open with dynamite. The messenger was
forced u open the safe, from which the
bandits took all the money in sight about
$500, after one OF them had shot hole
through the messengers straw hat as q
proof of his earnestness and good marks
manship. Then they took their booty back
TO the engine. and ordered the fireman. J.
j. Enyearst to cut the engine loose from
the train. He refused whereupon one of
them struck him on the head with his re-
volver, knocking him down. They then un-
coupled the engine, mounted il and ran il
north. leaving the train. passengers and
crew in the woods.
TWO passenger trains, following close be-
hind the mail. were tagged just in time TO
prevent collision, which would have cost
man. lives.
News of the hold-up was telegraphed 10
headquarters as quickly as possible and
immediately detectives were sent in search
of the robbers, under the direction of George
Murray. chief special agent of the Illinois
Central Bureau, who went to Wickii1fe
from Chicago. A posse was organized by
the Sheriff of the county and bIoodhounds
were pressed into service.
Murray quickly struck the trail of the
robbers. From the point where they had
abandoned the engine, a short DISTANCE
from the WickliHe railroad yards, il led
straight TO the river, where evidence WAS
secured 10 show that the robbers had en-
barked in small boat. kilograms We're
sent to every town and river landing within
a radius of 100 miles asking tina, a sharp
lookout be kept for a boat containing three
men, good description of the robbers hay-
ing been given by Messenger Hickox and
the engineer and fireman. In the meantime
the detectives and SkerifT's posse secured
the country up and down the river bank
for miles.
Thursday morning Con!ey, alias Doyle
was arrested in Cairo, his general appear
ance giving rise to the suspicion that he
knew something OF the crime. After being
sweated by the Chief of Police, Conley con-
fessed that he was one of the men wanted
and gave information as to the identity
of his. companions Detective Murray was
notified. He went to Cairo. where Con!ey
Tod tr,NFal f.zs s.a.r
Louis men, Murray, late Thursday evening
wired Chief Of Detectives Desmond the in
formation. In his possession. telling him he
his assistance In baggins his men,. Chief
Desmond was away when the message was
received by, Assistant Chief Smith. The