The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-01-29
Railroad Robbery Last Night Near
BranchviIIe.
Engineers Close call-Engine,
Baggage and Express Car
Carried Two Miles.
From The State, Jan. %.

LIE HOSG caring QOlQ-up ana IfdIu
robbery that has ever been committed
in this part of the country took place
last evening at 6.56 O'Clock on the
Charleston division of the Southern
railway, beginning at the Sc mile post
and being concluded at the So mile
station, in the exact spot almost that
Barlow Warren is supposed to have
held up the train and single handed
robbed the express car few years
ago. The robbery was wrothy of the
Jesse James gang in its palmiest days,
and in all its details excels many of
that gangs exploits for daring and
boldness. It was performed by a
gang Of six men according to eye
witnesses, and the gang actually
brought the train to station, back
ed wagon up to the door of the ex
press car and unloaded the large
through safe from the car, making off
with it. To make certain that the
enigneer of the train would go back
after the detached coaches one of the
men actually rode mile, then making
the engineer slow down and allow him
to jump off, thus giving the men
time to get away with the wagon.
Only three of the men were disguised
these three had their faces blackened
as if with shoe polish; the other three
attempted no disguise. They used
Winchester rifles and when the train
got here many had the opportunity to
look at the bullet holes in the mail
and baggage cars.
Engineer Reynolds, one of the old
est and most experienced engineers on
the road, came in closer contact with
the robbers than anyone else, and he
did not relish his hour and ten min
utes spent in their company. They
introduced themselves by sending a
Winchester bullet through his close
fitting cap, it barely missing plough
ing its way through his head. The
baggagemaster and fagman also had
narrow escapes from rife bullets as
the baggage car shows. Tie express
messenger, Mr.. A. V. Hall, of Au-
gusta, was forced at the point of a
pistol to open his route safe and hand
over the contents, which were not
more than S25. The big safe he could
not open and it was of course taken
away by the robbders. The train crew
particularly the engineer and the flag
men tell thrilling stories Of the occur
renee.
The entire train reached here last
night about two hours late, and there
were express officials and others at the
depot to see the train and hear what
the men who had passed through such
a thrilling experience had to say of
the affair. Most of the men had quiet
Led their shattered nerves somewhat
and were able to give good accounts.
HEAVY REWARD OFFERED.
Very soon after the occurrence the
express officials here were notified
and Route Agent Richardson was on
the go, making preparations for the
starting of hot chase. About the
same time long distance message over
the 'phone gave the main facts to The
State. Shortly afterwards other mes
sages came giving further details so
that by the time the train arrived most
of the main facts we're known, and
arrangements had been made for the
carrying of bloodhounuds down on
the night train. The governor, too,
W. informed of the occurrence and
promptly offered a reward of $500
for the capture of the parties. He
also sent telegrams to the sheriffs of
Dorchester, Orangeburg and Colleton
c.unties instructing them to use every
{. rort to capture the men, organizing
posses if necessary. Sheriff Martin of
G harleston was also asked to take a
hand as was the sheriff of Richmond
county, Georgia.
CHARGED TO WARREN.
Those Ubo ara familiar with the CON