The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-14
STOOD OFF DETECTIVES.
ALLEGED TRAIN RoBBER HAS A
DESPERATE BATTLE.
Decoyed TO IA House and Attacked
by Ten Men. who Seek to Capture
Him, He shows Fight. Wounds
One Detective and Makes Escape.

ST. LOUIS. July 13-Tol detectives en-
eaged this morning in a thrilling street
figha WITH John Nelson, all gel 10 be one
OF the gang who robbed the illinois CEN
trail express car OF 10000 near Wickliffe,
KY, early on the morning Of July 5. Dur
ing the battle. which began In a house on
Finney avenue. and extended u the VAN
deventer station. forty shots were ex-
changed Nelson was badly wounded, but
escaped. General Special Agent George
Murray, chief Of the Illinois Central de-
tectiye bureau, was shot by the fugitive
ard Is I'm the hospital with his 'ctt thumb
shattered and a ragged pistol wound rang
ing through his left arm from the elbow
to the shoulder.
One of the Gang Caught
Charles w. Barnes. alleged to be mem,
her OF the gang, was quietly overpowered
at 1890 West Belle place at O'Clock TINS
morning. and IS now in jan
Trying TO Entrap Nelson.
decov note sent by the detectives,
opened the fight with Nelson. Al 3:3o
o'clock q messenger boy awoke Nelson
and his wife at 3G5s Flnney avenue. me
note told Nelson that Mrs. Barnes. wife
OF his alleged partner In crime, had been
taken suddenly H. and requested him to
come over "a the Barnes residence. Mel
son fell into the trap. The detectives
were lying IN waiting in the front and
rear Of the house. Nelson appeared at
the front door. lie discovered the ON
moment later Chief OF Detectives Smith
beheid Nelson at the hrst-story window
with a revolver. Nelson jumped into the
yard. Regalning HIS feet Nelson ran
through the gate into Finney avenue.
where Detective Murray and several men
opened on him with revoivers. Nelson
railway yards at vandeventer station.
where he disappeared. Drops OF blood
showed that he was badly hurt.
Harness Makes Confession.
Barnes who was arrested at n. m,
was taken by surprise and made no re-
sistance He was decoyed from his house
by false telegram. Al police headquar-
ters he was searched, II was found that
he carried q revolver OF heavy calibre,
large pair o. field glasses tn "a case
carried over the shoulder by "A strap, n
small hand rcttcule. much worn and con-
tanning a photograph of himself. his wife
and child. Eighty-nve dollars in cur
rency. which was damp. as II IT had been
exposed to water. and 81 In silver were
taken from a small black wallet
After a searching examination by chief
Desmond. Barnes asked what terms would
be made with him II he told all he knew.
The chief placed the suspected robber In
the hold-oyer, after telling him that he
would think II over.
story OF the Robbery.
During the afternoon the police say
Barnes confessed that he, together with
John Nelson and man named Doyle.
alias Connolly, committed the train rob
the plot was cnncocted IN st. Louis. Doyle
came from San Francisco four months
ago. Barnes dld not account for the
three additional men. According TO the
detectives Barnes ana Nelson escaped
from Kentucky, took a catboat on the
river near Cairo. and were making their
way up the stream II was learned that
the men deserted the boat at ST Gene
We've and boarded the Iron Mountain
train FOR ~ Louis. arriving In the city
some time Thu sday night. The catboat
was found on the river bank Chief Des-
m0nd held that this discovery was an
important one since the possessions OF
Barnes had been In connection with the
water. Tiv note and the telegram which
led TO the capture OF Barnes and the
wounding ~ Nelson were sent at hap
hazard. The detectives had learned that
the Two men lived In the vicinity, but
were NOT sure OF the numbers. For
tunatey. the right houses were selected
In each instance. The officers are con-
tldent 81 running Nelson down.