The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-05
BOLD HOLDUP IN ILLINOIS
Two Bandits Stopped and Robbed
Rock Island Train.
EXPRESS MESSENGER BADLY WOUNDED.
A Sum Of Money Was Taken from the
Local Safe, Though the Amount
Is Not Known.

Joliet, ILL.,, July 4.-The Chicago Rock
Island and Pacific roads through express
train No. 8, bound for Omaha aud Denver,
which left Chicago at 10 o'clock last night,
was held up by robbers Mt Dupont, H., an
hour later. Express Messenger Kane was
shot through the groin Ivy one of the rob
bers and is In a critical condition. The
local safe was forced open but the amount
of the booty secured is not known. Charles
Nesser. who climbed over the tender Of
the engine and told the engineer and fire
man to stop the train, has been arrested
Nesser, however, is believed to be the
unwilling accomplish of the robbers. as he
obeyed their commands at the point of a
revolver The detectives are hot on the
trail Of the robbers.
According to Nessler's story, only two rob
bers were concerned, rnough the detectives
think there were more. Nessler Is about
- years old, of frank appearance and in.
tclligence, and claims to be of respectable
parents. He says he went to Niles Center
recently to visit cousin. Later he started
home. and having no funds, was beating
his way, taking the train at Chicago. At
EnRlewood he climbed on the bumpers
back Of the tender and had scarcely Sc
cured this position wnen two men also
climbed up. They said nothing IN par
ticular until Midlothian s,auon was
reached. Then one Of the men climbed
over the end of the tender upon tho coal
and ordered Nessler to follow. Botn men
had adjusted hlnck masks TO their faces.
At the point of a revolver Nessler was told
10 20 forward to the cab and tell the en-.
gineer to stop the tram half mile be
You'd. Thoroughly frightened he did so.
The engineer and fireman regarded the re-
quest as a joke and laughed
there. NCSglnf
trainmen did so and saw two revolvers
ibis This is no joke" said one robber.
stop the train or IN kill you
brought the train to standstill near the
Dupont switch The engine crew were
taken back under guard, Nessier being com
manded to remain m the cab and keep
quiet.
Demand was made on the express mes
senger aud baggageman to open the door
of their car under threats TO blow II up
with dynamite. The door was opened ana
and Messenger Kane was shot IN the groin.
The robbers attempted to open the through
safe hut were unsuccessful The local safe.
however, was forced open. II is not known
what amount of money was taken IL is
reported that bag OF Iewelry and some
money was found In the safe, but the rail.
way officials say practically nothing OF
value was secured. The robbers disap-
peared Kane WINS taken to Lndley Park
! for treatment and later removed TO the
| Englewood hospital. The police here have
satchel and a quantity of dynamite found
! In car near the scene of the robbery.
! None Of the passengers were molested.
! Ncssler was taken to Chicago this after
| noon In charge OF railroad detectives. The
| ing found in his possession an old SLOUGH
! hat with several holes IN the top which
| could have been used ns mask. Nesslers
past has been thoroughly investigates