Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-02-05
BRANCHvlLLE ROBBERY.
Express Safe With Contents Intact Found in
the Edisto River.

Charleston, S. O., January 28.-
According to the latest advices from
Branchville, developments concern
ing the express robbery, so far as
made public, are not important.
1t is known that after securing the
express safe the robbers went to the
house of negro named Kearse and
impressed his mule and wagon. The
party then conveyed the safe to a
point on the Edisto river, some six
miles from Fifty Eight. Utterly fail
ing to open it, they threw the safe
into the river, where it was found
this morning. The amount of plum
der secured amounts, therefore, to
about $l3, enough to cover the cost
of ammunition expended.
BUNGLING WORK LOOKS LOCAL.
The bungling work of the robbers
and their want of expert knowledge
point unmistakably to local talent.
1t is said that some clews are in the
hands of the express officials, but
these are not given to the public.
Governor McSweeney has urged
the sheriff of Orangeburg, Colleton,
Dorchester and Charleston counties
and Richmond county, Georgia, to
combine forces for the capture of the
robbers. The sheriff of Charleston
county this morning sent to the
scene of the robbery posse Of well
armed men, and prepared for the
chase.
The express officials here refused
to-day to make any specific state.
ments concerning the amount of
money contained in the safes. They
stated, however, that the through
safe contained less than $500.
GOVERNOR TO OFFER REWARD.
Columbia, January 2S.-At day
light this morning Governor Nc
Sweeney telegraphed the sheriffs of
Dorchester, Orangeburg, Colleton
and Charleston counties to organize
posses and begin search for the rob-
bers who held up the Charleston
Columbia Southern Railway train
near Branchville last night. At the
same time express officials left here
with two noted man running hounds.
These were augmented by blood
hounds kept at the O,angeburg and
Dorchester jails. Sheriff Dukes, of
Orangeburg, was on the scene after
the robbery with posse and the
chase began.
The dogs picked up the trail of
the robbers and went off rapidly.
Before midday the posse believed
they were pressing the outlaws. The
dogs came to the Edisto river and it
was evident the wagon had been
backed up to the bank. Search
under the water revealed the safe
stolen from the express car. A rope
was attached to it and it had not
been opened.
Express officials refuse to state the
amount of money recovered. The
pursuit of the robbers continues.
The Governor will to- morrow pub
lish proclamation offering $400 for
the capture of each of the men. The
seven men are staying together and
struck into the Edisto river swamp.
All are armed with Winch hesters.
They riddled the tender, express and
baggage cars last night.
INCIDENTS OF THE ROBBERY.
While She train was held up two
men guarded the doors of the pas
senger coaches. They said they had
no desire to rob the passengers-only
wanted the money from "that id
express company"
One young man seated by young
woman to whom he was attentive
attempted to quiet her alarm when
the fusillade of shots began by draw.
ing revolver and assuring her he
would save her from harm. When
the guard thrust rifle barrel through
the door he, with the others, sought
shelter behind the seats.
A rifle ball parted the hair of
Engineer Reynolds in the middle.
There ia universal belief that,