Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-23
$4,000 REWARD
For Daring Electric Car Rob-
bers at Los Angeles.
Board Car, Shoot Right and Left, Kill
ing One, Wounding Several.
Secure No Plumber and Escape-Vcry
Meagre Description.

Los Angeles, Cal. March 22.-Three
masked robbers attempted to hold UP
:, car on the Los Angeles-Pacific Elec-
trio line running between Los Angeles
and Santa Monica, about a mile west
Of the city limits, last night. and after
a pistol duel between G. w. Hender-
son, one of the passengers and one OF
the robbers. the other two highway
men began shooting right and left
through the crowded car. One passen-
ger was killed and three wounded.
The dead-H. A. Griswold of Manson,
Iowa.
Thel wounded-J. C. Cunningham of
Los Angeles, shot through the left
thigh; thigh bone broken; serious.
Ellis Pearson of Sawtelle, shot
through left leg.
DR.. G.. H. Bowles of Los Angeles, shot
through left hand.
1t is believed that one of the robbers
was badly wounded.
Mr. Griswod was a wealthy citizen
of Manson. Iowa. He came here sew
eral months ago with his mother for
the benefit of his health.
The holdup occurred at the head of q
deep cut. The robbers had placed a
steel rail, large bench and cement
barrel on the track.
Charles Curry, the motorman, saw
the obstruction when the car was sew
eral yards from it and at once turned
off the current and ran slowly to the
place. The moment the car stopped
three masked men sprang from the
weeds alongside the track. One board
ed the front end of the car and the
other two the rear end. The first men
commanded the passengers 10 put up
their hand and when one of them did
not comply. he fired shot. Hender-
son then opened fire on the robber.
The robbcr turned his gun upon
Henderson, but as he did so he was seen
to bend over and cry out as if in pain.
Then, Strengthening up, he began
shooting at the passengers on the front
seats. One of his bullets struck Ellis
Pearson in the left leg. Henderson
continued firing and the robber was
seen to fall. The two robbers who had
entered the rear door, commanded the
passengers to put up their hands. and
most Of them did so. Before the rob-
bcrs could search the passengers the
shooting began on the outside of the
car. Then the other two robbers began
shooting right and left among the pas
5engcfS.
Gri3wold VAS seated about the mid
die of the car with his back toward the
robbers. At the command Hands up"
he tried to hide his watch and one of
the robbers. thinking he was about to
draw n gun, fired point blank at him.
The bullet struck him in the back of
the neck and he fell over into the lap
of his aged mother, who was at his
side.
DIR. G. II. Bowics was near the front
door and at the command of the rob-
hers he raised his hands. When he had
them in the air one of the bullets from
:: robbers revolver struck his left hand
and shattered the bones. After empty
ing their revolvers, the robbers backed
out of the door, sprang off the car and
disappeared.
The car ran rapidly to Sawtelle. the
nearest point where medical aid could
be secured. Griswold Ssexpired before
the ear had gone a mile. He, diAy1iot
speak after he was shot and whests his
body was lifted from the car at STINT a
Monica his watch was found undershis
scat. His mother was covered with his
blood and was almost insane with
fright ana grief. AT Sawtelles Eearsoll
was taken to his home. The other
wounded persons were taken TO Santa
Monica. -
Henderson,, who had fired at the
robbers. snrang from the car and ran
across vineyard. He saw two of the
robbers climb into n buggy and drive
toward the city.
officers were sent to the scene. but no
trace of the robbers was found. Ow-
ing to the confusion practically no de-
scription of the men was secured
The general manager of the company
stated. tonight, that the company will
offer reward of $1,000 for the capture
of each of the robbers. The highway
men secured nothing from the passen-
gers.
Inside the car We're so or more pas
sengers and more than 10 shots were
fred. Bullets were found imbeded in
the woodwork in many places when the
car reached this city.
HEAVIEST OF YEAR.