Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-15
ROBBED BY BANDITS
PASSENGERS HELD UP IN A COLO
= RADIO CANYON.
Two Express Safes Cracked, but Little
Booty Was Secured by
Robbers.

The Denver and Rio Grande narrow
gauge passenger train which left Salida,
Col, Sunday night was held up and robbed
by several men at so O clock yesterday at
Chester Col, 80 miles west of Denver The
engineer was compelled at the point of a
revolver to stop the train by masked men
who had climbed over the tender Two
safes in the express car We're blown open.
but it is asserted by officers of the Rio
Grande Express Company that the robbers
failed to secure any plumber from the safes.
The passengers were compelled to alight
from the cars and line up alongside the
tracks in the canyon and were relieved of
all their money and valuables Many of the
passengers threw away their money
watches and jewelry among the rocks be-
fore the robbers searched them. There
were many tourists among the passengers.
and while 1t is not known how much the
robbers secured. it is presumed that the
losses We're heavy.
The train was the west-bound narrow
gauge passenger which left Denver last
night. The cars as usual at this seaso,
We're all filled. There were four robbers
The scene of the robbery is in a wild
mountainous country at the foot of Mar
shall Pass, on the west slope.
The bandits mounted horses and d:sap-
peared in the ravnes that lead into Mar
shall Pass. The sheriff at Salida and
sheriffs of adjoining counties and a dozen
posses are in pursuit.
General Manager Herbert of the Denver
and Rio Grande received the following re-
port of the train robbery:
The train was held up by four masked
men at a point known as Mill Switch two
miles east of Chester at $50 am today
Ihey blew open two safes in the bagga se
car and demolished the sides and roof of
the car. The express company advises that
no money was lost; the mail car was not
to go to the rear of the train and get out on
to the ground. After using three charges of
dynamite the robbers succeeded in opeuing
the safes and took the contents. They then
went back to the passengers and relieved
them OF their money and jewelry Many of
tne passengers threw their money, jewclry
and transportation into the grass and rocks
An engine and coach will be returned to the
scene with the passengers in order that
they may recover their property.
One of the robbers addressed remarks to
Engineer Rutland, who did not understand
what was said. and before rutland could
ask him to repeat his remarks the robber
struck him blow with a Winchester rifle
breaking the stock of the gun. Rutland will
De able to handle his engine through to the
terminal. but his head is badly swollen. No
passengers or trainmen were hurt The
conductor has been instructed to secure the
names and addresses and losses Of the pas-
sengers and Special Agent Brown has been
instructed to go to the scene Sheriffs of
the county In which the robbery occurred
and in the surrounding counties have been
notified
The train is the most important that is
operated on the narrow gauge line carry
ing passengers for Gunnison, Lake ,-i,y
Ouray, Telluride and other mountain towns
in the western slope.