Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-15
TRAIN HELD UP.

Inc DtHNtI dNu iNip NRidhuN NOH'-
bound passenger train No. 3l5, i'll
charge of Michael Guerin, conductor,
and Perrie Rutland, engineer, was held
up and robbed by four masked men at
Mill Switch, near Chester, on the west
ern slope of Marshall Pass, at $50
o'clock Yesterday morning. The rob
bers dymamited the express car and ex-
press safes and then went through ali
the passenger coaches. The amount
secured from the express safes Is not
known, but it is believed to have been
large. Most Of the passengers lost all
they had and the robbers probably
secured money and yaluables from them
running well into the thousands. The
train was heavily laden with eastern
tourists.
The robbers either boarded the blind
baggage at some small station or leaped
upon the train as it was slowly pulling
M the eastern slope Of Marshall Pass.
Their presence aboard the train was
not noticed, and the first intmation
that any OF the train crew knew
that ho'd-up was imminent
was when Engineer Rutland was
premptorily ordered to stop the
engine en- pain of death. Rutland
turned and saw a man wearing a white
mask, holding large club in his hand.
"Stop her quick" ordered the masked
man. "Get out of here quick,
answered the engineer The masked
man raised his club and brought
it down upon Ruland's head with
stunning violence. Rutland was dazed
by the blow. The man was on
the point Of raising the club to strike
u second blow when rutland said he
would STOP the engine. He closed the
throttle, pulled back the lever applied
the brakes and the long train was slowly
brought to standstill.
One of the robbers was left to guard
the On .lne crew with drawn revolver,
while the others went to the express car.
They raped at the door and demanded
admitlance. The express messenger
promptly refused, even when told that II
he did not comply with the order tie
car would be blown up. The threat was
without effect, and the robbers began
placing dynamite under the car.
When the charge had been fixed and
the cap and fuse arranged, the fuse was
lighted and three minutes later terriilc
explosion occurred. A large hole was
blown in the car and when the smoke
cleared away the three robbers were
pointing guns inside the car and telling
the messenger not to move or make an
Outcry.
Fortunately the messenger was not
injured by the explosion. The robbers
then demanded of the messenger that ne
open the safe or give them the combina-
ton. The messenger explained that II
was a through safe and that only the
officers Of the company at either termi-
nal knew the combination.
This was plausible excuse, and iol
brief time baked the robbers. WheT
they became satisfied that the express
messenger could not help them they de
cided TO blow open the two safes. They
placed large charge of dynamite unde
the corners of both of the strong boxe
and exploded it.
The charge was heavy one and th'
safes were blown to pieces, the cohIeh'
being scattered around for some distance
The robbers gathered UP the loot an.
placed it in heavy gunny sack, whlcl
one of them carried.
Then the robbers started through
the passenger coaches and sleepers an'
robbed the passengers of their valuables
A few who heard the explosions an'
realized that the train was being held VI
hastily secreted some of their money ant
iewelry under the seats aud other place
and thus managed to fool the desper
ADDE'S.
the majority, however, many Q
whom were eastern tourists, were TO
frigbtened to think of saving anything
and when the robbers went through di'
oorged their money and valuable
meekly. =.
The thieves offered no violence to tn
passengers, but their demeanor and IL
vicious looking weapons they carrie
thoroughly covered the victims.
. As fast as passenger was reheved
his Goods they were dumped into gun
nv sack carried by one OF the roooer
: When the last passenger in the last CT
had been robbed the robbers Juinp'
from the train and gave whistle sign
to the one standing guard over the eng
neer and firemen to make his escape
Before leaving the engine this four
robber told Engineer Rutland that II
pulled out within thirty minutes I
robbers would shoot him from the tops
the hills nearby The four robbers tn
hurried TO the hills.
MOTHER ALWAYS KEEPS 1T HAND
l'sMy mother suffered long time from d
,rcssing pains and general i'll health due p
marily TO indigestion" says L. W. SSpaldil
Warona Mo. 1.-TWO years ago | got her to
Kodol. She grew better at once and now
IL age of seventy-six, eats anything
nnts remarking that she fears no bad eiie