The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-23
HELD UP A TRAIN.
Four Bold Bandits Operate Near
st. Joe.
Rob the Burlington Express
Car Last Night.
GOT ALL THE MONEY.
Reports Differ as to the Amount
Secured.
Armed Citizens Search in Vain
for Robbers.

Kansas City, Sept. 23.-A special to
the Times from ST. Joseph, Mo-, says:
Four masked men at 10 O'Clock last
night held up westbound Burlington q
Missouri River train No. Al, five miles
north of this city.
The safe in the express car was dyna-
mited and the car wrecked. officials of
the road say that the safe contained but
little money.
Other reports say that 1t contained
from $1,000 to $4,000 in money. Every
thing in the safe was taken and the men
escaped in the darkness with horses. A
posse was organized and is in pursuit
of the bandits. Not a single shot was
fired. The train was stopped by means
Of red light. The engine and express
car were uncoupIed from the balance OF
the train and moved half a mile farther
on where it was dynamited.
The train was in charge Of Conductor
Harvey, who hurried to the city and
gave the alarm. The officers lost no
time in organizing and making tina
start. 1t was necessary for the entire
train to be brought back to the city
and new train made up which left at
o'clock
According to reports received from the
scene of the h0ldup, the instant the train
was stopped two of the robbers climbed
into the engine and with drawn weapons
compelled the engineer and fireman to
obey orders. One of the men uncoupled
the engine and express car from the bal
ance of the train. The party then climb
ed into the cab and the engine and car
were run up the track The explosion
followed. AS soon as the safe was dyna-
mited, the men rushed to the wrecked
car. 1t is asserted they did not get a
cent as a result The train was loaded
with passengers for the west and the
holdup created a panic.
The train was in charge of Conductor
Harvey, of st. Joseph. AS soon as he
saw the robbers he ran back down the
track and secured a handcar on which
he came to ST. Joe and notified the Off
GERS. Policemen and deputy sheriffs to
the number of fifty were taken at once
to the scene of the holduD. armed with
riot guns, but the robbers were gone
The hills are being searched but
without success uD to midnight. One
of the robbers is reported to have been
hurt, the extent of his injuries not be-
ing known. The train was held up near
a grading camp and was witnessed by
a farmer who went to his -house and
teleDhoned to AmazOnfa. the nearest
station. Citizens there armed them
selves and started to the scene of the
robbery. but the bandits were gone
when they arrived
According TO the report made by the
railroad officials and the express mes
Senger. no money was in the safe and
the robbers got nothing.
REWARD FOR ROBBERS.
ST. Joseph, Mo-. Sept. 23-The officials
of the Burlington Railroad company in
st. Joseph announce that a suitable re-
ward will be offered by the company for
the arrest and conviction of the four
masked men who help up the Portland
express north of St Joseph last night
The railroad and express officials still
insist that the robbers got no booty.
Posses are securing the country adja-
cent on both sides of the river today but
so far without success. 1t has been
found that one of the robbers boarded
the tender of the engine at st. Joseph.