The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1907-10-12

essA8 ~ express CAIs V00 VI
the robbers threw some dynamite
against thu car door. the explosion OF
which knocked hole in the car and
broke AL the glass in the other doors.
Tho robbers called upon me and my
companion to come out. We did so.
but before obeying put my revolver
Just inside the chr door.
They searched US and ordered us
back into the car. We again obeyed,
out - one Of the robbers attempted to
foilow me into the car caught up my
pistol and placing it against the rob.
oers breast. fred, and shot him
through the heart. The robber. while
lying wrfthing upon the ground. fred
twice upon me and then expired.
The second robber and then ex.
changed shots rs he attempted to
drag his comrades body to the engine.
intending to uncouple 1t from the train
and thus get away.
While the robber was lifting the
body upon the engine l secured a
double-barreled shotgun and quickly
hred at the surviving train robber,
He sank to the ground and then sud.
denly sprang up and ran away. On
the following day his body was found
IN q bush about SO yards from the
scene of the attempted robbery. Only
one buckshot had struck the fellow.
but 1t had cut the artery over the
heart.
However. the toughest time ever
had was the express car fight in Mon.
tello. New. in 1882. had carried 4
shotgun ~ express messenger on most
of the lines in Nevada, Arizona and
Idaho and other states. but" after =
pause. Il never had as close q call as
that.
The train got into Montello about
one O'Clock. c bright moonlight night.
The engineer stopped at a switch to
allow q freight train to go by. and
while the train was standing still the
robbers. seven in all, appeared. GOV.
cred the engineer. fireman. and con.
ductor with revolvers, and took pos
session Of the train.
After the freight train pulled out
the robbers entered the engine and
pulled the train down the track. and
then began their attack on the ex.
press car.
They ordered me out OF the car:
refused. and during the night never
spoke to them again.
while they we're consulting As to
the best mode Of attack l barricaded
the doors with the safe. boxes. etc..
aud was prepared for them. They sur.
rounded the car and seven bullets
crashed through the solid sides and
doors. I knew. Of course. that my life
was ut the mercy OF luck or fate. but
never weakened. took up . position
At the side Of the car. and returned
each round Of shots during all that
night. At one stass Of the proceed.
inss the robbers swung my car loose
from the remainder OF the train and
pushed It along tho track 60 yards.
They would then shoot for . time and
retire to consult. and then renew the
attack.
Finally they determined to carry
WIN o00 seN uU0 " SQ0 G0bp 0u0
would doubtless have done 10 had not
the process exposed them too much to
my nre. At about three O'Clock the
passenger train from the opposite di.
rectioo arrived upon the scene. Some
OF the attacking party Immediately or.
dered them TO move on ~ rapidly ~
possible. Deeming prudence the bet.
ter part OF valor. they At once did 20.
running to the next station. where
they secured help and then returned.
arriving At Montell0 soon after day.
light. OF course Il must Be remem.
bered that in the meantime the at.
tack on me was coatinued.
Shortly after daylight came they
gave up their attempt 70 rob the car.
mounted their horses. and left. taking
their wounded companioa with them.
Il was taken to Gan krancisco 70
rest aud recuperats. while 10 men II
all pursued the highwaymen.
The express company offered . ~
ward Of $1,000 each for them. and avs
Of them were captured. namely:
Brown. Kelly. Walkes. Dolan0 and
hurry. and sent to prisoa In the city
Of Carson. New. tor . long term.