Gilpin observer., 1902-07-17
d. &R. q. TRAIN ROBBED
HELD UP ON MARSHALL PASS.
moiish Baggage Car, Blow Open
Safes and Rob Passengers.


noiish Baggage Car, Blow Open
Safes and Rob Passengers.
Denver, July 15.-Four masked men
held up Denver & Rio Grande passen-
ger train No. 315, the local train be-
tween Salida and Grand Junction, at
$50 o'clock yesterday morning at Mill
Switch, on the west slope of Marshall
pass, robbed the passengers, demol-
ished the baggage car, blew open two
safes and made off with perhaps $1,000
worth of jewelry, watches and money
taken from the passengers. The Rio
Grande Express Company states that
no money was secured from its safe.
The contents of the safes were taken.
Engineer rutland was the only one in
jured.
Sheriffs of the surrounding counties,
with two posses of armed deputies, are
securing the country in the vicinity of
the hold-up. Special agents of the rail
road company incline to the belief that
the men were amateurs at the bust
ness. The train, being on the Monday
morning run, carried no money or any
thing in the express car that would
make the blowing up of the express
safes profitable. Many Of the passen-
pers hid their money and valuables be-
hind the rocks and in. the grass along
side the track. A special train was run
back to the scene Of the HOldup to al
low those passengers who had thus
avoided being robbed to seek out the
hiding places of their valuables and re-
cover them.
The train was west bound. Engineer
Perrie Rutland was startled as the en-
gine at fast fait, came upon an OBJ
structiOn of rocks and ties upon the
track. He stopped 1t within few feet
of the pile, which was of size sufficient
to wreck the train, and found himself
looking into the barrel of Winchester
rife. Four men, wearing masks made
of white canvas that completely con-
cealed their features, kept the train
crew covered.
The train was in charge Of Conduc-
tor Michael Guerin and when he
stepped from the first coach to see
what was the matter he was ordered
TO throw up his hands. Obeying in
structions, rutland left the cab and
opened the express car. He was di-
rected to blow open the safes and was
given a charge OF dynamite. The first
shot failed and. remarking that he was
no good of his engine, two of the hold
ups placed u second charge under the
safe.
Il want you; come with me-" said
the one evidently the leader Of the
quartette. Not understanding, the en-
gineer asked .What?"
s.T'lI 10 10
the reply, and the fnan struck rutland
with such force with the rifle he car
ried that the blow broke the stock and
left the engineer unconscious.
The holdups returned to the dyna-
miting, blowing open the two safes in
the baggage car. The force of the ex-
plosion was such that the car was de-
molished, the sides and roof being COM
pletely wrecked. Paying no attention
10 the mail car. the men took the con-
tents of the baggage car and the safes,
dumping them in a large gunnysack.
The loss was nominal, officials of the
road say, as there were no express
packages.
The passengers were then ordered to
the rear Of the train and lined up along
the track. They were ordered to give
up their money. the watches and
JeWeiTy secuTeu DeluS piuceu III tHe
sack held by the two men. Two 9th
ers, dressed as those doing the collect
ing, In blue overalls, Jumpers and
wearing masks, covered the passeng-
gers. while a fifth robber stood guard
on the hill above the track.
During the time the holdups were
destroying the baggage car and order
ing the passengers to line up, several
took advantage of the opportunity to
escape. One man, who is reputed to
have had $500 with him. took to the
woods and made his way back to Mar
shall Pass station. Another man hid
$1,000 and his watch and rings under
some rocks. Joe Davitte OF Mount Car
bon. near Gunnison, hid 500 In Il coal
bucket, but his wife was not quick
enough and lost her gold watch. DIR.
Sanford and Mrs. Sanford Of Gunni-
son were losers. Other passengers
dropped their valuables In the grass
and behind the boulder near where
they were standing. Many managed
to save everything but small change.
Engineer rutland recovered sufficient
ly to run the train into Gunnison.