The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-01
POSSE IN PURSUIT
Of TRAIN ROBBERS
HOld-Up Men Are Thought
to Have Made $4,000
Haul.
Plot Believed TO Have Been
Formed in New.
York.

PITTSBURG, May Posses OF citi-
zens and officers are today securing the
hills in this vicinity for the desperadoes
who last night held UP the messenger
on express train No. 25, on the Panhan-
die division OF the Pennsylvania rail-
roay, and escaped with four bags of
money amounting TO several thousand
dollars
The hold-up occurred near Walkers
Mills. eleven miles from Pittsburg. At
an early hour today it was said that
the robbers had obtained about $4,000.
The officials Of the Adams Express
Company have offered q large reward
for the arrest OF the thieves. The hills
and mountains near here are covered
with a slight sprinlSling OF snow, and
the police say IL is only a question OF a
few hours until the robbers VIII De Ap-
pretended.
Because of their familiarity with the
little details which-helped them IN their
work. the police believe that former en-
ployes are responsible, eiid several Lor-
ner messengers are Icing W4IcICa-
Early today posse of deputy sherl .L.s
found traces OF the men IN the SNOW
and wired for re-enfOrcements-
The messenger Of the car was today
able to give a lucid description OF the
men. He declared ne had never seen
them before. The men, he SAID, were
about five feet seven inches tan, ana
weighed about I40 or 80 pounds. Both
wore rough black suits and derby hats.
Rode in the Car.
It Is suggested that the two robbers
probably slipped into The express car at
the Pittsburg Union Station and hid
behind the trunks. As the train was
passing through the suburbs the robbers
suddenly sprang into the center Of the
car and covered Rossen. the express
man and the baggageman with re-
Volvers-
Throw up your hands," came the
quick grUff order.
Both men obeyed- The robbers forced
ROssen believed ne meant what he said,
chest As he did so one Of them threw
the eXpressman's rifle out Of the door
open that box commanded the
chief robber. Rossen hesiIated until he
felt the cold muZZle of the revolver
being pressed into his check.
DO as i say. quick, or you're Gead
man. said the man behind the gun
ROssen believed he maent what ne said,
and, convinced that he would be killed
II no tried resistance, opened the chest
Then ROssen and the bagSageman
were bound hand and foot and gagged
The robbers TOOK the four heavy bags
OF gold from the chest and waited, ev.-
denJly knowing exactly where they
wished 10 get OF
Just before the train reached Walkers
Mills, the bell rope was pulled three
times, and the engineer brought the
heavy express train 70 a sudden stop,
with the grinding Of air brakes that
WakeD6d most every one aboard.
Victims Were Bound.
The conductor hurried forward and
found the two men gagged and bound,
lying on the floor OF the car. The
robbers had escaped. The residents of
that section We're aroused by distress
signals on the locomotive whistle, and
posses were quickly formed. A section
hand was found who said he saw man
in q buggy, waiting The two men
came up carrying some bags. They
jumped in the buggy and they all dash
ed away There is no doubt that the
robbery was carefully planned, and was
carried out with the aid Of accOmplices
as skilled in their work as the robbers
themselves.