The San Francisco call., 1901-10-24
HEROIC MESSENGER
DESCRIBES COMBAT

PORTLAND, Or, Oct. 23-The South
sern Pacific train which was held up near
Eugene this morning arrived here this
afternoon at 1 o'clock. The express car
is badly shattered, but it was brought in
with the train.
1.-The first intimation I had of anything
wrong" said C. F. Charles, the express
messenger, was when the train began
to slow UP near Walker station. 1t was
a quarter to 3, as near as remember.
Shortly after the train came to a stand
still was ordered to open the door. I
refused to move. was threatened with
all sorts of things. Open up this car or
we will blow you to -, commanded one
of the robbers. L made no response and
was given salute with dynamite. The
first charge blew open one of the doors
and knocked me down. My overalls were
blown into shreds and my legs scratched
somewhat, but otherwise 1 was unhurt.
Further commands to open and threats
followed, but without avail. l made no
reply, knowing that the object of the
robbers was to locate me in the car and
then try to put me out OF the way,
either with tayna ut tho OF oPer Pa1eeS agd IL
changed my staIlon 10 the olner emu OF
the car.
the other end of the car. The third shot
shoes and quietly walked over to the
dynamite and detached the fuse. Two
more shots exploded, each Of them blow
ing a hole into the floor of the car. All
the car, two failed to explode, and one I
prevented exploding by removing the
"All efforts to compel me to open up or
leave the car falling. the engineer was
sent in through the opening blown IN ss the
SIDE Shot oTesrGH oVer his n' head wit With S she Shotgun
The entire ceremony lasted about forty
minutes. The engineer retired after l
q Q
ent. a rumor of his coming had spread
among the crowd and squad OF police
men had some difficulty In restraining
them at the entrance.
Roosevelt Assists Entertainers.
The reception was held in the great din
ing hall, or commons, owned by the Uni
yersity Corporation. The building Is one
of the new bicentennial structures. Presi-
stood upon small raised platform mid
way to one side of the hall. Commander
and Mrs Cowles and Private Secretary
Cortelyou stood to the rear Of the receiv-
ice officers, ushers and policeman and
those in charge of the ceremonies. The
badges. These numbered several thou.
sand and a great number Of the general
unlimited public managed also to gain en-
trance.
caution not only Of the officers but of
those having the affair in charge for the
adequate protection Of the President.
The most unique and original feature of
the reception was the fact that there was
no handshakipg. The suggestion to elm
mate this old-time custom originated with
President and Mrs. Hadley and was read
fly adopted by the President, after con-
sultation with Secretary Cortelyou.
Light refreshments were served at the
side hall opposite the official party
1t is estimated that 500 persons attended
the reception. At its conclusion the Presi-
dent returned to the Farnum residence
where dinner was served at 7:30 Amon1
the guests were: President RooseveIf
Professor Hadley, Secretary of State Hay'
Joseph H. Choate, ambassador to Eng
land; Andrew D. White, Embassador fo
Germany; Archbishop Ireland, Bishou
Knute Hennig Geselius Won ScheeIe oT
Sweden, President Eliot of Harvard. Pres
ident Gilman of Johns Hopkins, Presidenr
Low of Columbia, President Patton of
Princeton.