Evening journal., 1901-10-24
HELD TRAIN
ROBBERS AZ BAY
Messenger, Imprisoned in
Express Gar, DefeS Them
Charges Of Dynamite Flew All About
Him But Thieves We're Compelled
to Submit to Defeat

Eugene. Ore. oct 2i.-The South
ern Pacific railroad express was held
up by robbers near Walkers Station,
is miles from here. yesterday and
only the bravery OF the express mes
sen-er prevented the thieves from
loOtinE the train AZ it was, the rob-
hers secured but little booty. The ex.
press car. however. was badly dam
aged b. dynamite
Two men boarded the train at Cot
tage Grove as the train pulled out.
After passing Walkers. which is -four
miles from Cottage Grove, they climb
cd over the tender and covered En-
gineer Jack Nichols and the fireman
and his helper with reyolyers.
The robbers ordered the train to
be stopped, after which the fireman
and helper were compelled TO I'M
couple the train between the express
car and the first coach. Engineer
Nichols was then ordered to pull
ahead the fireman and helper being
left behind. After going a short dis
lance the train was stopped, and the
robbers proceeded to the express car,
taking with them the engineer.
The express car was blown open
with dynamite, and Express Messen-
ger c. Charles was ordered out. but
he refused TO 60. and. with his shot
gun, commanded the situation inside
the car. The robbers told him to
come out or he would be blown up
with the car. but he replied: BLOW
ahead" A fusillade Of bullets fol-
lower, Kidding the car. but the mes
senger, who was uninjured, kept up a
continuous firing inside, which held
the robbers at bay A.charge Of dyna-
mite was then thrown into the car,
with burning fuse. but Charles seized
II and threw it outside, where it OK
ploded.
'The first intimation / had of any
thing wrong, said C. +. Charles. the
express messenger twas when the
train began to slow up near Walkers
Station. It was 2.45 o'clock. as near
as can remember. Shortly after that
the train came to a standstll, and /
was ordered to open the door. | re-
fused to move. open this car or
we will blow you to hell!' commanded
one OF the robbers. l made no re-
Spouse and was given salute with
dynamite. The first charge blew open
one of the doors and knocked me
dowp. Ny overalls We're blown into
shreds and my legs scratched some
what. but otherwise / was unhurt.
Further commands to open up and
threats followed but without avail.
made no reply. knowing that the OBJ
ject of the robbers was to locate me
In the car land then try to put me
out OF the way. either by dynamite
OF with bullets. l. changed my sta
ton to the other end of the car A
second shot blew open the door at
the other end of the car.
"The third shot failed 20 go of, as
had removed my shoes and quietly
walked over to the dynamite and de-
tached the fuse. Two more shots ex-
ploded, each of them blowing a hole
in the floor of the car. All told, four
shots went off IN the car. two failed
TO explode, and one / prevented from
exploding by removing the fuse. All
efforts to compel me to open up or
leave the car failing. the engineer was
sent in through the opening blown into
the side. ordered him to get out,
and fred a shot over his head with
my shot gun The entire ceremony
lasted about 40 minutes. The engi
neer retired after / fired the shot and
ordered him to leave, and I was not
molested further"
The robbers then gave up their ef
forts to secure the express treasure
and went for the mail They secured
the registered mail, then cut the en-
CINE from the rest Of the train ant
ordered Engineer Nichols to pull
ahead. They ran to Judl1in's Point. II
the outskirts Of Eugene. where the!
discmbarked and ordered the enginee
TO return and get.his train.
The news was wired from Saginaw
and officers went out in search of tn,
robbers, but as yet have secured M
trace of them. They were landscape,
by having no description of the men
Posses from both Lave and Dougla
counties are searching for the bandits
To Purchase Historic Valley Forge.
Atlantic City. n. j.. Oct. 24.-Th
United States Supreme Circle, Broth
erhood Of the Union. adjourned yes
terday. A committee was appointe
as delegates to the Valley Forge A.
ISOLATION to induce the government {
purchase the land OF that famous er
campment Another committee wa
named 10 consider plans for observin
Washington. Jefferson and Frankli
birthday anniversaries.
Bold Thief Stole -Four Watches.
New York Oct 24.-Eugene He
linger. 81 years old, and who refuse
ell further information concernin