The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-29

Express Agent Who Participated HOup Gangs Tells
About Experiences

7 HE death last week OF Luther A
Fuller, for fifty years an employee
of express companies. twenty-five
years OF which were spent I'm st. Louis
as superintendent of the eastern diVi-
SION of the Pacific Express company.
recalls the stirring times through which
ne passed when outlaws and despera-
does were riding free lance the western
country. then i'm its infancy and very
81 arsely settled, robbing banks and
Eolding up trains with startling regu-
Iarity and with slight fear OF arrest
says The st. Louis Republic
~ADuring his administration the James
Toys, Youngers. Daltons and other
bands of outlaws of lesser note were i'm
their prime. and finally wiped out. and
ne played a conspicuous part in free
ing the country of these bands of des-
roradoes. In many cases he personally
conducted the searches for the robbers.
and there is no case on record where
nc ever went after them that he failed
IN landing them in the penitentiary
and recovering part. If not all of the
money stolen from his company.
An illustration of the respect in
which the outlaws held him is the story
ca the installation of the overland
wagon express service between Mis-
scuri City and Excelsior Springs in 1856.
The people OF Clay county had petit
toned the Pacific Express company for
the overland service. but the company
heSitated because that county was the
home of the James boys. the MiIlers.
Hites and other members of the James
ard Younger bands and il was cOnsid-
cred an invitation for losses through
Eold-ups and robberies to install the
service. But, upon representations by
the citizens of the county that the SER
wee would be protected, Mr.. Fuller sent
Lis chief clerk, Charles W. Walters
now broker and financial agent. with
Offices in the Continental Bank build
Ing, i'm this city to look over the pro-
posed route and talk with the people
Being apprised of his coming. a COM
mittee of citizens. headed by Justice OF
the Peace Vance, a man who knew
every citizen of the county. and was in
the confidence of the James band, met
MIN ana introduced him to every menu
Der of the James band residing in the
county From them he secured per-
sCBal pledges that the service would
not only be not disturbed by them. but
that they would guarantee that it
would never be disturbed. with this
assurance the service was esta bIished,
and continued for more than six years.
until the Wabash railroad built into the
county. without molestation.
However, shortly after the overland
service had been abandoned. Jim
Cummings and his band made an I'M
successful attempt at robbing q Mis-
souri, Pacific train at Missouri City
and it was I'm this hold-up that Jim
Cummings lost his leg and was cap
tured. The 'hold-up probably would
have been successful but for the vigil
lance of Clay county citizens. who still
felt an obligation 20 the company. One
of the members OF Cummings band
informed Justice OF the Peace Vance
OF the plans. who. in turn. informed
the express agent at Missouri City and
through him the general office In ST.
Louis.
As a result Mr. Fuller placed his
chief clerk. who was also route agent
OF this division. upon the train in
charge of a posse of guards. They rode
on the engine. and when the outlaws
stopped the train the guards started
the battle which ended with the cap
ture Of the entire band. including the
Gne who had Informed on them This
informer worked hand in hand with the
company and was shot on the spot by
Cummings while the battle ragged IL
was planned that all the outlaws use
red bandana handkerchiefs for masks.
hut by arrangement with the company
the inforTner WAS 10 wear a white
handkerchief that he might not be
killed by the guards.
AS he drew his white handkerchief
from his pocket and attempted to mask
With II. Cummings. ever alert Tor