Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-09-13
Blew Open the Safe But Express
Officials Say That They
Got 10 Money
REPORTED THEY COT $4,000.
Robbery Occurred at Same Point Chi.
cage Car Barn Bandits Attempted
One Two Years Ago.


dts pcrpetrated a successful hold-up Of
q passenger train ON the Rock Island
near Let's shortly after midnight this
morning Express officials say that the
robbers secured no money though the
safe was blown open and the contents
taken, averrlng that the safe con-
tanned merchandise Of some value COM
pany papers in transit, etc, but no
money
ON BANDITS TRAIL,
Three special trains on which are
posse, OF railroad and express COM
pany employees and a number Of OH
GERS were rushed to the scene Of the
robbery Immediately upon the receipt
Of the news, going from Muscatine,
West Liberty and Davenport Horses
were procured In the country surround
ing Columbus Junction, and IN that
town, near which point the robbers left
the railroad. Mounted men with blood
hounds are securing the country In ey-
cry direction. while trains that passed
through Columbus Junction or nearby
points from the time Of the robbery
are carefully inspected by officers 10
ASCERTAIN II the bandits are undertake
ing to escape In this way. The engineer
and fireman Of the train furnished pref
~ accurate descriptions Of three Of the
men,
SECENE or HOLD-UP
The robbery occurred at Whiskey
Hollow, six miles out OF Muscatine. and
near Fruitland. The train. known as
No. II. IL a through Chicago and Kan
sas city train. The robbery was at
the end Of a sharp curve and exactly
where a similar hold-up was attempted
two years ago by the Chicago carbarn
bandits The engineer as the train
rounded the curve, saw a red lantern
on the track and stopped the train.
Immediately the engine, express car
and baggage car were boarded by the
robbers, apparently five IN number A
fusllade Of shots was fred along the
sides Of the train 10 prevent lnterfer-
ence by passengers. The messenger OF
the express car was compelled TO open
tho door The car safe was dyuamited
and the contents taken after which the
engine crew was compelled TO return TO
the passenger coaches the engine cut
on and the robbers mounting II, ran II
west through Let's and 10 within two
miles OF Columbus Junction, where the
engine was left standing on the track
FAMILIAR WITH RAILROADS.
The manner in which the robbers
handled the engine, their knowledge Of
the fact that Let's was closed sta
ton at night and the selection Of a
point contiguous to Columbus juno
ton 10 abandon the engine. convince
the officers that the robbers or some
Of them are experienced railroad men,
Express Messenger MaCguire, who
had charge OF the car, wired this
morning that the safe was a local one
and that the car had not been dam
aged. and that he was now on his way
to Kansas City with the train.
Division Supt Quick stated that the
safe was opened at Davenport and that
the money directed to that station was
left there. The only other place where
the safe would be opened would be at
Trenton. Mo. All money intended for
Kansas city goes over the Alton,
Two packs n bloodhounds are work.
ing upon supposed trails of the rob
hers. The one near Columbus june
ton struck trail three hours after
IL was made by the robbers.
message received from the posse
states that the hounds are following
the trail and going In the direction Of
Delta upon the Mississippi where tht
country Is oyergroWn with stunted
timber