The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-11
Amount Secured by the Robbers I'm
known, One Report Putting 1t
at About $4,000.
BATTLE WITH DESpERADOES
TWO MEN WHO HELD UP UNION PA
CIFIC TRAIN KILLED.
Hunted to Death by n Sheriff's Posse
Two Citizens Of GoodIand, Kan,
Wounded in the Fight.

/ COLUMBUS. o.. Aug. 1O.-The Pennsyl-
vania express. due here at 11:i0,p. m, was
robbed before the train reached Colum-
bus. Express Messenger Lane was
found dead in his car when the train ar
rived at the capital city. Indications are
that there was bloody and desperate fight
on the train. the messenger bravely fight
ing for the safety of the property intrust-
ed to his care and defending his life. The
deed of violence was done on passenger
train No. s, due at the Union Station at
l1:4O, possibly between Marble Cliff and the
city, surely between Milford Center and
the Union Station in this city
When Extra Messenger ]. M. Sheldon,
who assists Robert Mulligan, agent for the
Adams Express Company at the Union
Station, went to the door of Express Car
Sl2, which had just pulled in from St.
Louis and Indianapolis, he unlocked the
door as usual and showed it back. n hor-
rible sight met his gaze. Lying fiat on his
face and in pool of his own blood lay the
messenger. His head was lying just be-
tween the edge of the stove and the edge
of the door in the forward end of the car.
There was some delay in finding Coroner
Birmingham. A careful examination re-
vcaled eight bullet wounds. Three of them
were in the right side of the back. about
eight inches below the shoulder. One was
in the left side, six inches above the hip
bone. Four were In and about the calf
of the right leg. Two bullets were
visible under the skin of the
breast. one about one and one-half
nipple. and the other an inch above and
inside the left nipple. These were ex-
tracted and were found to be of SS-caliber.
One bullet was picked up under the right
leg, half way between the knee and ankle
as the body was lying on the face in the
car, and another was found near the right
foot lying about two feet away.
Everything pointed to a surprise and a
deadly struggle in the car. From appear
ances Mr. Lane was washing his face and
hands, preparatory to leaving his car, and
was about to open the side door to throw
out the bucket of water when the first shot
was fired, or when he was struck from
behind. His own revolver was found by
the safe with two empty shells, indicating
that he had probably fired twice at his
assailants. He was shot to death in a
is believed some of the shots were fired at
him while he lay PROSTATE. The dying
together with his knife and what valuables
he may have had.
The keys were used to open the strong
box. and the contents were taken. The
keys and knife were then laid the body
and the revolver placed in the safe. The
car was deserted at one of two points,
either at the Marble Cliff or at the viaduct
at the entrance TO Union Station.
The train was in charge of Conductor
Jerry Taylor, who took ii out of st. Louis
At Milford Center Mr.. Lane and his car
were all right, for Mr.. Taylor had con-
versation with him at that point.
One report is that $4,000 in money was
secured by the robbers.
At Plain City the messenger was seen in
the car by one of the crew. and everybody
apparently was all right there. AT Marble
Cliff the train slowed up for minute to
allow a man to board it. and it was away
almost before he had entered the door of
the coach. Here, it is believed, the robbers
had been waiting for the car, and that
they surprised the messenger with the
rear door and possibly the side door open
for air.
1t was not long before Inspector Baron
was at the station. Captain Russell had
sent men there to see what service could
be rendered by the city force. and that of
ficer soon as possible started Head
quarters Officer CASTOR and another Of
ficer in a buggy TO find whether anyone
had left the train at the crossings or at the
railroad yards. 1t was decided at the sta
ton to send an engine back with Detective
O'Neill and Officer Dundon and Headquar-
ters Officer Richards and Detective Foster
to see what clew might be picked up along
the track 1t was known that money bags.
way bills, money bills and other articles