The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-08-02
B. & O. Limited Stopped
by Masked Mon.
MAIL CAR DYNAMITED
Thieves Ordered Wrong Cars
Cut OF and Missed Express
Car, In Which Was Much
Gold and Silver.

Chicago. Aug. 1.--The Baltimore
and Ohio passenger train from the
east, which was due to arrive in the
Grand Central depot, Chicago, at
o'clock last night, was held up by five
I1asked men about o'clock between
Edgemore and Grand Calumet
Heights, Indiana, about 81 miles out
from Chicago.
The only loot that they carried
away with them as result Of their
adventure was the gold watch Of the
engineer.
The train was the New York and
Washington vestibule limited. Most
Of the trainmen we're shot at and had
narrow escapes from the bullets. No
person was injured, either by the dyn-
amite or firearms.
The place where the robbery oc-
CURED is a lonely district, in which
few people live, and houses are far
between. No better place for a train
robbery could be desired by the roo.
bers.
Pointed RevoIvers at Them.
The train was running at high
rate Of speed as 1t passed Calumet
Heights, and Immediately after pass.
ing out Of sight of the station En-
gineer ]. w. Collins saw directly In
front Of his engine a large fire, on
which some rails had been placed.
He slowed down, and as he did SO
three men, wearing masks over their
fsces, jumped into the cab, and cov-
cred Collins and his fireman, James
Whipple, with revolvers.
Just before climbing into the cab
the three men commenced to fire with
their revolvers, In order to frighten
away all assistance. The shots pro-
duced the liveliest kind OF a panic in
the sleeping cars, where the passen-
gers made every effort to hide their
money and valuables before the rob-
bers could get at them. No attempt
was made, however, to rob any Of the
passengers. The fusilade had the ef.
feet OF making them keep inside the
cars.
After mounting into the cab Of the
engine, the robbers covering the en-
gineer and fireman with their revolv.
ers, made them step down and 60 back
the length Of two cars. They ordered
the men to uncouple the first two
cars, which was done. They then
hustled the two trainmen back into
The cab, and still keeping the en-.
sineer covered with revolvers, direct
ed him to pull up some distance from
the rest Of the train.
Hurled Dynamite at Car Door.
Collins ran up 200 feet, and was
then directed to stop. He did so, and
while one of the men remained to
guard him, the others jumped of, AMI
hurling dynamite at the door of the
car which they judged to be the ex.
press car, burst open the door. Hasti.
y climbing In to get at the safe, they
were astonished to find that they hai
broken into mail car. They threat
ened the engineer with death for not
telling them that the cars which he
had uncoupled were not the express
ears, and ordered him to return at
once and uncouple the next car be.
nind the baggage cars. Climbing
once more into his cab, Collins backed
MS engine down, coupled onto the
third car, which the fireman was
made to uncouple at the rear end. and.
still with the muzzle OF the revolver
at his head. Collins was ordered to
run down the track, as before. He
drew away from the balance OF tba
train about the same distance as ON
the first occasion, and tho robbers,
still leaving him under the charge
Of one OF their number, made for this
car. When they reached 1t they found
10 their great wrath, that they had at.
tackled another mail car and that y
contained no money The train had
been delayed now fully 80 minutes.
and fearing that II they delayed any
longer help would be coming to the
Train crew. the robbers gave up their
attempt to rob the train, and jum ~
oown ran into thicket of scrub oaks
1t the side OF the track and disap.
peared. The train was hastily made
up and came on to Chicago, arriv.
ing here somewhat late, q stop hay.
!ng been made at Whiting to report
'De robbery. Officers were at once
sent after the robbers, and within an
hour after the robbery a large posse
was on their trail.
messenger Prepared For Trouble.
+. A. Applegate. Of Newark. O.. was
the express messenger and was alone
IN his car. He had no idea that a
robbery was being attempted until he
heard the shooting on the outside. He
shen seized a Winchester rife, and.
climbing on top Of the safe, awaited
developments, determined to make
The best fight IN his power. He was
not molested In any way, however.
lie said that there was considerable
sold and silver in the car, and that
the robbers might have secured q rich
booty II they had come to the right
place. had no idea Of what was
eoins 70 do" said Applegate, except
that ] had made up my mind there
vas going to be fight, and that was
Going TO do the best ! could"
Local express officers refused Ia
say last night how much money there
vas In the car.