The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-01
Another Mail Car Attacked, hut the
wouId-Be Robbers Again Blum
dered, and soon Fled.
NOT ONE DOLLAR SECURED
TRAINMEN AND PASSENGERS CowED
BY A FUsILLADE OF FIREARMS.
Engineer Forced to UncOupIe Cars at
Masked Men in the Party.

CHICAGO. July 31.-The Baltimore &
Ohio passenger train from the East. which
was due to arrive in the Grand Central
Depot, Chicago, at o'clock tonight, was
held up by fse masked men an hour earlier
Between Edgemore and Grand Calumet
Heights, Ind, thirty-one miles out from
Chicago. One of the mail cars which con-
tanned no money, was dynamited and
wrecked. The attempt at robbery was
made after the two mail cars had been
detached from the train and run quarter
10 make rich haul was due to the fact
that the express car which contained the
trains treasure was in ap unusual place.
II was the third car in the train. After
wrecl1ing the mail car and obtaining no
booty the robbers disappeared In the dark
, ness without attempting to rectify their
mistake. The only loot they carried away
with them as result of their adventure
was the gold watch of the engineer.
The train was the New York and Wash
ington vestibuled limited. Most of the
trainmen were shot at and had narrow es-
capes from the bullets. No person was in
jured either by the dynamite firearms.
The place where the robbery occurred is
a lonely district in which few people live
end houses are far between. No better
place for a train robbery could be- desired
by the robbers.
The train was running at a high rate of
speed as it went by Calumet Heights, and
Immediately after passing out of sight OF
the station Engineer J. w. Collins saw di-
rectly in front of his engine a large fire on
which some rails had been placed. lie
slowed down. and as he did so three men
wearing masks over their faces jumped into
the cab and covered Collins and his fireman,
James Whipple, with revolvers.
PASSENGERS HID VALUABLES.
Just before climbing into the cab the
three men commenced to fire with their re-
volvers In order 10 frighten away all as
sistance. The shots produced the liveliest
kind of a panic in the sleeping cars, where
the passengers 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 passen-
gers The fusillade had the effect of making
them keep inside the cars.
After mounting into the cab OF the engine
the robbers. covering the engineer and fire.
men with their revolvers, made them step
down and go 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 engineer covered with
revolvers. directed him to pull up some dis
tance from the rest of the train.
Collins up 200 feet and was then-di-
rected to stop. lie did so and while one of
the men remained TO guard him the others
jumped off and, hurting dynamite the
door Of the car which they judged TO be the
express car. burst open the door. Hastily
climbing In TO get at the safe. they were
astonished TO find they had broken into a
mail car They threatened the engineer
with death for not telling them the cars
which he had uncoupled were not express
cars and ordered him 10 return al once and
uncouple the next car behind the baggage
ears.
Climbing once more into his cab Collins
backed his engine down. coupled on 10 the
third car, which the fireman was made 10
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 be-
fore. lie drew away from the rest of the
train about the same distance as on the
first occasion and the robbers. still leaving
him under the charge of one of their num-
Der. made for this car. When they reached
Il. they found, 20 their great wrath that
they had attacked another mail car and
that II contained no money.
FLIGHT OF THE BANDITS.
The train had been delayed now fully
thirty minutes. and. evidently fearing that
if they delayed any longer help would be
coming TO the train crew. the robbers gave
up their attempt 10 rob the train. and
Jumping down. ran into a thicket of scrub
oaks at the side of the track and disap-
peared. The train was hastily made up and
came on 10 Chicago. arriving here some
what late. a stop having been made az
Whiting 20 report the robbery. Officers
were at once sent after the robbers. and
within an hour after The robbery large
posse was on their trail.
Charles \. Cross. conductor of the train
brought into the city tonight several stick.
OF dynamite that had been left by the RON
bers at the side of the track Il heard
some shooting" said the conductor. ..and
looked out TO see what was the matter.
saw the engineer and fireman running
down the track followed by three men.
had no time 10 look al more than that. for
saw two flashes OF flame close TO the car
and a bullet went by my head as one OF
them called out:
Keep your head I'm there II you don't
want II blown or
Certainly. I said. and pulled II In a.