The Washington herald., 1908-05-01

Pittshurg, April So.-By holding up Ex-
press Messenger n. Rosehen, of the
Adams Express Company, and a baggage
man. at the points Of revolvers. and later
making their escape, bearing four bags
OF gold coin. two unknown men tonight.
between Carnegie and Walkers Mills,
perpetrated one Of the most daring train
robberies ever attempted east of the
Rocky Mountains.
The first section of train No. %. on the
Panhandle Railroad, due to leave Union
Station at $50. but starting ten minutes
late was the object Of attack It COM
prises through express cars and sleepers
from New York 10 St Louis.
Beyond shraden. while passing through
Ingram and Grafton, the messenger was
held up.
The robbers must have boarded the
train at Union Station. as it had made
20 stops since leavins.
Express Messengers Covered.
They kept the messengers covered with
Fevolvers until past Carnegie. and in the
vicinity of Walkers Mills where they
J stopped the train by pulling the cord
Seiziug their pIunder. they disappeared.
I after tying ROsehen and che baggage
man.
After the robbers left the train. it con-
1inued to Water Tower. located one mile
west OF Walkers Mills. Here the mes
sengers and conductors Of the train re-
ported the robbery to the operator at
Water Tower.
According 10 the messengers statement
10 the operator, the men must have
boarded the express car at Tie Union Sta
tion Whiie it was being filed with bag
sage. They hid behind TWO big trunks
ana maintained sleRce untiI after the
train passed CarHegie
Order His Hands Up.
Holding two revolvers the thieves
emerged from their hiding place.
Hands up they shouted, and the mes
senger and baggageman stood with their
hands above their heads.
The messengers repeating rifle was
standing in the corner and one Of the rob-
bers threw the weapon out the car door.
! open this box one Of the men COM
manded. The messenger hesitated. but the
thieves held the revOIvers close 10 his
head and commanded him 10 be quick
He opened the iron box and they then
ordered him and the baggageman TO
walk to the south end Of the car The
thieves got four bags. containing gold and
paper money.
loss is
Gals here refuse TO make statement.
Other things than money were not
taken.
Securing rope the messenger and bag
gageman were tied hand and foot Just
as the train entered Walkers Mills the
engineer received two violent pulls of the
emergency cord. Both the passenger and
4 Pullman conductors curious to know
81 what caused the stop, ran back along the
track. The light of the baggage car
shOne out into the darkness
Find Messenger Tied.
When they approached they found the
messenger tied. Quickly Hberating the
messenger, the conductor ordered the
train run TO Water Tower.
The engineer gave several long and
loud blasts Of the locomotives whistle
This attracted almost every man in the
little town OF Walkers Mills 20 the rail-
road. II was explained to them by the
engineer and conductor what had hap
pened, and they hurried 70 their homes
for weapons. and. forming posse, start
ed on the tran OF the thieves.
The messenger was able TO furnish an
excellent description of the robbers. Both
men were well dressed. one wearing a
mustache. It is declared that the rob
bers headed for the place where they
threw the money from the car and that
after securing the bags they took to the
4 woods, near Robinsons Grove, which IS
about one mile north of Walkers Mills.
II is The opinion of the detectives and
railroad men that the robbers had we'll
planned the robbery Walkers Mills where
the robbers left the train. is the most
lonesome spot on the Panhandle Rail-
road.
Detectives Sent For.
Word was Immediately telephoned to
Detective NJ. Richard Conley at McDon-
aid. about ten miles west OF Walkers
Mills, and he too, with a party Of depu-
ties. started in pursuit OF the thieves.
Within a few minutes Of midnight coun-
~ detectives were notified of the robbery
and caught a train for Walkers Mills.
Posses on horseback were. organized and
are securing the country. Officers Of the
entire section have been notified to be on
the lookout. The community has been
thrown into fever Of excitement.
Familiar with Conditions
The remarkable familiarity shown bv
y the train robbers with railroad affairs
and the movement Of the express pack
ages it IS thought viii constit .e q
,lew. They are said TO have plcl #
- heir booty without hesitation
81 y knowing exactly what they
A section hand said he saw T., robbers
enter a buggy on the Noblestown road
not far from the station. lie said that a
third man stepped from the buggy and
assisted the thieves and the money into
it. and that the team of horses headed
g for Gregg Station. near Walkers Mills.
An operator who was working in the
q pumping stations at Greggs was request
ed TO keep a lookout for the buggy, while
Alderman Allison. Of Sturgeon. and his
Aeonstables are also guarding the road
'aturday speelaI-Roses, zoe Fer Dor.
Blackstone, 18th and II sts.