The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1909-09-03
LONE MAN HOLDS
UP A TRAIN
Stops PeSlSyEIpTaSS, TeTTOTIzes
Grew and RObS Safe,
ESCAPES TO MOUNTAINS

Lonely Spot Near Lewistown, Pa
and compeo Messenger to Throw
out Bags Of Coin, After Shooting
Conductor In the Handicapped
With About 500.
Lewistown. Pa, Sept. 1.-One OF the
most andacious and startling hold-ups
81 a railroad train in the east for years
took place on the eastern slope oil the
Allegheny mountains. when lone
highwayman stopped a Pennsylvania
railroad express train with a dynamite
cartridge. and at the point OF a re-
volver compelled the crew to carry
thousands OF dollars in coin and Dul-
lion from the express car to a spot
in the wilderness. When the conduc-
tor OF the train attempted to interfere
with the robbers plans he was shot
in the hand and the bold bandit sue
ceeded i'm making good his escape.
Mistook Lincoln Pennies For Gold.
In the darkness. however the rob
Der mistook a bag containing 10000
new Lincoln pennies for gold CON-
and staggered away with IT, leaving
the real gold bullion TO be recovered
by the railroaders.
When the news of the robbery
reached the railroad and express com
pany officials they were deeply CON
corncd az it's holiness. and immedi-
ately ordered every available detec-
tive from the east and west to the
scene In an effort to capture the auda-
cious bandit Bloodhounds were also
put on his track, but with no immedi-
ate success.
Superintendent Preston and other
officials OF the middle division OF the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad have establish
ed headquarters at the signal tower
near the scene in order to make as
thorough investigation of the crime
a. possible The general superinten-
dent and general manager of the Ad-
ans Express company are on the
ground to assist in directing the
search.
The looted train was made up of an
engine. three express cars and two
sleeping coaches filled with passen-
gers. II was running through Lewis
town narrows. a wild and lonely noun
tain gorge through which flows the
Juniata river. when suddenly dyna-
mite cap exploded, and the engine
driver brought the train to a stand
still. When he looked out 20 see what
the trouble was he was confronted
bv a masked figure. holding a revolver
in either hand.
Forced Crew to Carry Loot.
Are there any mail cars on this
train ?" demanded the highwayman.
NO" was the reply of the startled en-
gineer. The engine crew was then
forced at the point of the gun to &C
company the robber 10 the first ex-
press car. where the messenger was
looking out 10 discover the cause Of
the sudden stopping Of the train A
revolver was pOinetd al the messen-
gers head. and threatening TO blow
up the car with dynamite, the robber
forced the messengers Of the two eX-
press cars and engine crew to carry
all the gold and bullion stacked in the
first car to the side of the tracks Con-
P ductor l. r. Poffenberger, of Harris
burg. Pa. who came up while this
work was being accomplished was or
dered back by the bandit, who emp
tied one Of his revolver's at him, one
of the shots penetrating his hand and
the other grazing his body.
Bullion Found Beside Track
Despite the appearance Of three pas
! sengers. who had been awakened by
) the shooting. the robber calmly order
ed the crew back on the train and
, compelled them to steam away leaving
the bullion beside the track. 1t was
recovered later by posse sent on a
special train. II was reported that, in
addition TO the missing pennies, sever
al thousand dollars in currency was
missing. but the express company Off
/ Gals refuse TO announce the exact
Y amount OF their loss.
No clew TO the robbers identity has
, vet been discovered. He is described
, as being about five feet eight inches
in height. and was dressed in dark
clothing and wore a SLOUGH hat pulled
well down over his eyes. When the
train was leaving he called out, Good
bye and good luck. I hope 10 see you
again"
= Agent Hamaker, OF this place, sent
{ q safe 10 the scene Of the robbery TO
E receive the six bags OF pennies on
which the seals had not been broken,
but which had been cut open with a
3 sharp knife TO ascertain the contents
5 and abandoned by the robber in dis
4 o,,ct