The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-12
SECURING THE COUNTRY
FOR LANES MURDERERS.
OFFICERS SEEK TO FATH0M THE
EXPRESS CAR MYSTERY.
Many sunpects Are Arrested ~ CO.
Isnbus, but Rsleasea Deoause ~
Lack % Evidence Asaanst Thsm--
Daggagemaa Makes = Statement.

COLUMBUS. O.. Aug. 1.-THE whole
country along the Pennsylvania railroad,
between this city and Urbana, is being
secured by officers in pursuit of the men
who murdered Express Messenger Lane
and robbed the safe OF his car last night
Dozens OF stories and rumors have been
sifted down, and tho officers are apparent
~ no nearer to solution OF the mystery
than when they started. II any promis-
ing clues have been secured they are be-
ing very closely guarded.
All OF the persons placed under surveil
lance today have been released.
The crime was not discovered until the
train pulled into the union station here.
When Extra Messenger Sheldon. of the
Adams transfer once. went to the car
no found Lane dead, lying face downward
in pool OF blood. between the stove and
the side of the car In the forward end.
The body was found to have been riddled
with bullets. and there were evidences
that desperate struggle had taken place.
No less than eight bullet wounds were
found.
The robbers had taken the key to the
local safe from the messengers pocket.
The key was left sticking I'm the safe door.
The messengers revolver. with two cham
hers emptied. was found IN the safe. where
II had been probably laid by the robbers
after being wrenehed from his hand.
was Alive mt Milford Center.
The murder was probably committed
Just after the train left Milfsrd Center,
twenty-eight miles west OF Columbus,
whore II is believed the robbers boarded
the train. Conductor Taylor saw and
talked with Messenger Lane there. When
the body was discovered here. IL was cold.
and the blood clo,ted, showing that Death
had occurred at least half an hour pre-
yious.
The robbers had no diaiculty in getting
into the car. as ,he end door had been
left oqen on account of the heat The
train made only two stops between Nil
ford Center and Columbus one az Plain
CITY ard the other at Marble Can, the
latter Ave miles out of the city. At the
latter place the train was aaggeG 70 take
on a paxsenxsr--an old man
All the ciiy detectives we're Immediately
sent out along the line of the railroad,
and ara securing The country. From the
number Of bullets hrcd into the body OF
the messenger 81 is supposed there were
tive three or four robbers
Lane was y years old and leaves a wife
and child. ofHeials of the Adams ex-
press profess 70 be unable % make an
estimate Of the loss. saying that the safe
was not likely 70 have contained a large
sum.
Baggageman's Statement.
Raggagens&ster Fletcher. whose car was
next in front y the looted car. made the
foliowinS statement today
- saw Lane put on and take on sreigh,
at Crhana. After we loft UrhAnA every
thing went well Until We reached capeii.
where We had to stop. remember now
that ! heard talking there. When / arst
heard the voices they appeared to be
coming along the train. there apparently
being two or three % them The men
stepped on piece of rotton wood which
attracted my attention. Just before the
train got under way. I supposed they
were passengers 10 board the train. We
stepped at Plain City and Milford. and
heard 40 unusual sounds. After We left