Evening journal., 1902-07-05
THRER MASKED MEN
HOLD UP EXPRESS
Express Messenger Shot in
Struggle With Thieves
Captured Bandit Says He Mas Forced
to Assist in Robbery by His
Companions

Joliet, ILL.,, July 5.-As a result OF the
hold-up on the Rock Island Road on
Thursday night the Joliet police have
in custody Charles Nessler. He climb
ed over the tender of the engine and
told the engineer and fireman that they
must stop the train under penalty OF
death. Nessler, however. is believed TO
have been the unwilling accomplice OF
the robbers. as he obeyed their COM
mands at the point Of revolver. In
the event of the capture of the thieves
he will make good witness.
According TO Nessler's story only two
robbers were concerned. though the de-
tectives think there were more. lie
says he went to Niles Center recently
TO visit cousin Thursday night he
started for home, and, having no funds,
was beating his way. taking an ex-
press train at Chicago. At Englewood
he climbed on the bumpers back of
the tender and had scarcely secured
this position when two men also climb.
ed up. They said nothing in particular
until Midlothian station was reached.
Then one of the men climbed over the
end OF the tender upon the coal and
ordered Nessler to follow. Both men
had adjusted black masks to their
faces. At the point OF revolver Ness
Ter was told to go forward to the cab
and tell the engineer to stop the train
half mile beyond. Thoroughly fright
ened. he did so. The engineer and fire.
man regarded the request as joke and
laughed. Look up there" said Ness
Ter. The train men did so. and saw two
revolvers pointing toward them. This
is no joke" said one robber. stop the
train OF I'll kill you"
The engineer shut off steam and
brought the train to 4 standstill near
the Dupont switch. 20 miles from Chi.
cago. The engine crew we're taken
back under guard. Nesslcr being com.
manded to remain In the cab and keeT
quiet. Demand was made on the ex
press messenger and baggage master tc
open the door of their car under
threats TO blow 1t up With dynamite
The door was opened and the robber:
rushed in. a struggle ensued. and Mes
senger Kane was shot IN the groin
The robbers attempted to open thu
large safe. but were unsuccessful Th'
local safe, however. was forced open
1t is not known what amount of monel
was taken II is reported that bai
of jewelry and some money was founS
in the safe. but the railway oficial
say practically nothing OF value wa
secured. The robbers disappeared
Kane was taken TO Linley Park 70
treatment and later removed to tn
Englewood Hospital. The police her
have a satchel and a quantity Of ayna
mite, found in car near the scene o
the robbery None OF the passenger
were molested.
All during Thursday night and yes
terday the two bandits pushed o.
through the farming country stealin
a buggy or a wagon here and there
and abandoning the teams when the
were too exhausted to carry them an
farther Farmers and residents in tn
little towns in the vicinity Of the seen
OF the rain swept over the surroundin
fields and prairies in the hunt, bu
never a glimpse was had Of the fugi
tives. Occasionally a rumor OF thei
whereabouts was obtained, but the ul
most haste in organizing a pursu
failed to overhaul them