New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
DYNAMITE DID NOT MOVE HIN
HOW PLUcKY EXPRESS MESSENGER DE-
TENDED SAFE WHILE TRAIN ROB-
BERS TRIED TO BLOW UP CAR.

BERS TRIED TO BLOW UP CAR.
ern Pacific overland express. due here at 3:42
a. m, was held up by robbers near Walkers
Station, fifteen miles south of here, at o'clock
this morning, and the express car badly dam
aged, but the robbers secured little booty. Two
men boarded the train at Cottage Grove as the
train pulled out. After passing Walkers. which
Is four miles from Cottage Grove, they climbed
over the tender and covered the engineer,
Burt" Lucas and the fireman and his helper.
with revolvers. The robbers ordered the train
stopped, after which the fireman and helper
were compelled 10 uncouple the train between
the express car and the first coach. The en-
gineer was then ordered 10 pull ahead, the fire
man and helper being left behind.
After going a short distance the train was
stopped and the robbers proceeded 10 the ex-
press car. taking with them the engineer The
express car was blown open with dynamite, and
:. Charles. the express messenger, was ordered
put, but he refused to go. and with his shotgun
commanded the situation inside the The
robbers told him 10 come out or he would be
blown up with the car. but he replied. Blow
ahead"
A fusillade Of bullets followed, riddling the
EAR. but the messenger. who was uninjured
Kept up a continuous fire from the inside, which
held the robbers al bay. charge OF dynamite
was then thrown into the car with burning
fuse. but Charles grabbed it and threw it out
side, where it exploded. Next the robbers COM
PEELED the engineer to crawl up TO the opening
inside Of the car. hoping TO use him as a pro-
lection from the messengers shots. but the
messenger kept up a steady fire over the en-
gineer's head and still held the robbers at bay.
The robbers then gave up their efforts TO secure
he express treasure, and went for the mail.
They secured the registered mail, then cut
The engine from the rest Of the train and or
5ered Lucas TO pull ahead. They ran 10 Juc-
kins Point, in the outskirts Of Eugene where
hey disembarked and ordered the engineer 10
,eturn and get his train. The train arrived
here at 7:30 o'clock. about four hours late
The news was telegraphed from saginaw aLu
officers were out in search OF the roppers cary
his morning. but have secured no trace OF theh-
They are handicapped by having no description
IF the men. Posses from both Lane ana Doug
as counties are searching for the bandits
Portland. Ore. Oct 23-The engineer, Burt
Lucas, said:
first heard the command given TO the fireman to
throw up his hands. and as he did not at hrst com
ny up nv OWN @ hasds 5ts as saw W the Weapon The
1amos q 70 me rn roPo @ loose @ ana not stop until
| given the command. We ran out some dis
tanoe from Walker. when l was directed TO slow VI
and the fireman was ordered leave the engine
We then proceeded further. At the next command
o stop was compelled 10 uncoupe the engine run
up the track and then return with the robber 10
he detached train. The robber wore long rnask
that completely covered his face and extended well
iown his chest He wore a sort OF white apron
In the pockets OF which he carried sticks Of dyna-
mite. winchester rlne was Strapped over ms
back while in each hand he carried big revolver.
These revolvers Were strapped TO his wrists.
The rohber gave me a cigar. commanded me 10
Hight it and keep putting, as he desired 70 use 1t
In touching of the dynamite. Upon reaching the
express car the ro66eP oommanded ed III The nesse1seT
then compelled TO shoot off the dynamite, and
this had no effect upon the express messenger
the robber forced me crawl into the through
one Of the holes blown in the door. As did so
shouted TO the express messenger not to shoot
directed by the express messenger TO get out.
A shot accompanied the command. ! did d-
rected, and then told the robber there was no use
to try further as the express messenger was heaV-
ly armed and well able TO resist forcihle entry
Of his car At the same time I called his atten-
ton the fact that a freight train due
and that he had better get through
and after assuring himself that there nothing
The mail clerk was covered by the robber while
l was compelled to open the mail sacks. After the
mail dumped the robber sorted II, and
had the messenger hold the sack while he took
what he wanted Only sack Of registered mail
was taken The robber wound up the job by
helping himself TO the messengers lunch was
made me stop as soon as the lights of the city
In The direction OF the river
San Francisco. Oct. 23-The following tele-
gram regarding the train holdup in Oregon has
oeen received at the Southern Pacific head
quarters:
O'Clock this morning near Cottage Grove. and the
engineer forced stop near Walker. The
robbers dynamited the express car. but did not
succeed IN opening the safe. The engineer was
then forced TO run his train 10 point half a mile
east OF GOrhen, where the robbers took the reg
gene where the robbers got on The sheriTs at
Eugene and Roseberg were informed. and posses
are now out. The passengers were not molested.