Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-05
TELLS OF TRAIN ROBBERY
Express Messenger Rejahl Recites Story Of
Sensational Holdup.
ROBBERS THREATEN TO USE DYNAMITE
Engineer Pleads with Desperadoes 10
Give Men in Express Car
Chance for Their Lives-No
Money Taken.

The Rocky Mountain Limited, the Rock
Island train which was held up near Chi
cago Thursday night, when a baggageman
was shot, arrived in Omaha yesterday
afternoon about Sis, its regular time being
1880. Except for the perforated baggage
car there was nothing about the train to
indicate that It had passed through a
holdup. II any further proof OF the thrill
ing incident was needed, however, 1t was
abundantly available from the numerous
passengers. who had not recovered from
the effects of their scare when they
reached this city.
The robbery occurred three miles west
Of Blue Island, ILL.,, a small station sixteen
miles west OF Chicago, about II o'clock.
The train left Chicago at 10 o'clock. The
robbers shot ]. E. Kahn, assistant express
messenger. and got away with several
hundred dollars worth Of jewelry. but
failed to find the money box. None of the
bandits, as near as the trsinmen could
learn, we're captured. The train was de-
layed about an hour as a result OF the
holdup, but lost time further along the
trip.
RejahI Tells the story.
Express Messenger W. F. Rejahl Of 7122
Union avenue, Chicago, who runs between
Chicago and Omaha, was used by the rob-
bers as their main guide and helper in
footing the safe that contained the treas
ures. At the point Of two ugly revolvers
Mr.. Rejahl was forced to do the bidding of
the robbers and he says he did 1t the very
best he could. Mr.. Rejahl describes the
holdup as follows:
The train had reached a hill three miles
outside Of the little town of Blue Island.
when 1t suddenly came to a standstill.
Although 1t was unusual for the train to
stop at that place. no thought or fear
Of a robbery occurred to him or his ASSOC
ciate in the baggage car. Two OF the
robbers climbed into the cab Of the engine
and made the engineer and fireman dis
mount and escort them to the baggage
car. Before starting upon their grim
pilgrimage, however, the robbers COM
manded the fireman to cut the train into
two sections. leaving the baggage car In
a more desirable location for their pur-
poses, but as the engineer had taken up
the slack, this demand was not complied
with.
About to Use Dynamite.
With the engineer and fireman at the
head Of the procession, three bandits made
for the baggage car. Reaching 1t, one OF
the men drew from q sack three long, ugly-
looking dynamite fuses, with which he
proposed to blow up the car.
This deadly plan no doubt would have
been carried out" said Mr.. Retahl, had
not Engineer Goodall pleaded with the
robbers to give US fellows inside the car a
chance for our lives.
"'oh, don't dc that begged Goodall, as
the man with the dynamite started to
place it in position for its fatal work; let
the men in the car know you are here and
give them a chance for their lives
"'All right said the robber. and he then
made the engineer step UP to our car door
and rap with a hammer
Its the engineer, me. Goodall; don't
shoot, for Gods sake shouted the engineer
to us fellows inside and / knew then what
was up. / lost no time in opening up the
door. There stood three robbers that l
could see and. as I heard shooting down
the train, 1 think there must have been
more.
Trainmen All Lined Up.
Come out Of that shouted a deep,
husky voice, and Kahn and l got out of the
car without delay. I found the engineer,
fireman, conductor and the brakemen lined
I'D against the train with their faces to the
wall, Just like your teacher used TO do you
when you didn't know your lesson and had
to wear the Ounce cap or when you broke
some cherished rule Of hers.
The fellow who took me In charge and
seemed to be the leader OF the gang was
big and burly. Two Of the bandits kept
their guns on the rest Of the boys while this
big chap and I went back into the baggage
car, I ahead of my commander.
"'well, now what have you got aboard
the bandit asked me.
81 was puzzled TO know Just what to say,
but he helped me out Of my dilemma by
thrusting his big gun a little closer to my
nose.
What 'er you gotT' he said; quick,
out wild it,
Delivering Up Jewelry.
without waiting for further ceremonies
/ grabbed a sack OF jewelry and then an
other sack and another and presently we
had 1ewelry to burn. The robber took 1t
for granted that these small sacks con-
tanned money and I wasn't volunteering any
information. At his command l threw all
the small sacks into one large one and left
the car, ahead OF him again. for the carry
all which the robbers had left out In the
road a few yards away. I dumped the treas
ure In this conveyance and back to the
car we went for more booty. This time the
bandit asked me what there was in the big
safe. l told him money. He asked how
much. I could not tell exactly. but he
demanded some estimate and I told him
/ guessed $4,000 or $4,000. AS a matter OF
fact, / had no way OF knowing.
Before proceeding further, I was d.
vested OF my pistol. which my friend had
just spied.
"'Well, out wild some OF de money came
his domineering command. But for some
reason which will never be able to give,
he did not press his demands. and the
money stayed in the safe. Had he gotten
il he would have made 8 rich haul. but