The Washington times., 1909-08-31
LONE HIGHNAYAAN
|. HOLDS UP EXPRESS
NEAR PITTSBURG
Places Dynamite on Track
to Bring Engine TO
Stop.
CONDUCTOR SHOT:
DISOBEYED ORDERS
Bag of Bullion Worth $4,000
Later Recovered on Noun
tain Side.

HARRISBURG, Pa, Aug. 81
Train No. 80 of the Pennsylvania
railroad, known as "The Pittsburg
and Northern Express" was held
up and robbed about 1:3o O'Clock
I this morning by a lone masked
highWayman, at the Lewiston Mar
rows, on the middle division.
The express was stopped by an
explosion of dynamite. The high
wayman, at the point of two re-
volvers, made the engineer and fire.
man descend, and demanded en-
trance to the express car, in which
was over $1,000 in bullion, as wen
as a large amount of Lincoln pen
MES. In this car, at one time. the
highwayman had several men under
his control, while Conductor Pot
fenberger was shot in the right hand
for refusing TO obey an order given
him. The $500 in bullion was later
recovered
The locality where the hold-up
occurred is one Of the widest along
the whole length Of the read. being
merely a narrow mountain pass.
Explosion Under Engine.
The train left Harrisburg at 1901
a. m, and was just entering the
narrows when an explosion Of dvna-
mite under the engine wheels caused
Engineer Donnelly TO apply the
brakes and come TO a dead ston.
The train had scarcely come to a
standstill when a masked man
boarded the engine and compelled
both the engineer and Fireman
Willis to alight, and show him the
way TO the express car.
The highwayman knocked on the
door of the express car and Ex-
press Messenger Harper. on open
ing the door, looked down into the
barrel Of a revolver. The engineer
and fireman, accompanied by the
highwayman. then entered the car.
A loaded carbine stood in the
corner Of the car for use in such
emergencies by the messengers.
and was carefully guarded by the
robber while DOnnelly and Willis
were kept between him and Harper.
The messenger was then directed
10 show where the bullion was kept.
Makes Crew Do Work
In one corner of the car several bags
lay The highwayman compelled the
fireman TO get one OF these strong sacks
and when this was done, directed him to
hold it open while the messenger turn-
bled into il the gold bullion. This done.
ft was ascertained that a large sum in
cents was also IN the car and the high
waym6n again directed the fireman As
well as the messenger, to have these
packed into another sack. Just as the
task was under way, Messenger Clay
ton, of Washington, ID. c., in charge of
the Washington Express car, ignorant
OF what was going on, opened the rear
door OF the Harper car. Before he had
time 10 retreat the highwayman had
him covered, and he was compelled 10
l.
No sooner had Clayton submitted than
Conductor POnenberger came down i'm
the direction of the front part of the
train 10 ascertain Che cause of the DELAY
men and was directed to return TO the
cab of the train and do so quickly Por-
ienberger hesitated IN obeylng the order
and received bullet IN the LETT hand
BY this time the engineer, fireman. ana
express messenger had completed their
" ork of transferring the Illlion and pen
ME FN no rfrrFNr
Willis was directed TO pick up the sacks
The other men in the car We're kent COW
cred while Willis climbed 10 the ground.
Give Alarm At Altoona.
The tracks in the NarroWs are banked
on either side by steep rocks, and willis
was told TO start up the mountainside
with the loot. On arriving at the ton.
the highwayman turned And ordered hin,
back 10 the tram, after thanking him
for his help and wishing him good
luck"
on the return Of Willis the train was
run at fun speed to Altoona, seventy
five miles distant, where the first alarm
OF the robbery was given.
Captain Charles Porter, Of the railroad
police. left for the scene OF the robbery
mountain resulted in the finding of the
sack containing the $500 gOid bullion.
but no trace of the rObbeT-
1t is believed that the highWayman
found the two sacks too heavy 10 carry
in his flight and in endeavorine TO light
en- his load dropped the sack Containing
the bullion. thinking he was dropping
the pennies.
Passengers Were Ignorant.
PITTSBURG. Pa, Aug. S1.-There was
/ surprised crowd of passengers that
eft the Pittsburg and Northern ex
press here at 500 O'Clock today when
Pretty Mantels, S2.so a piece.
Frank Libbey & Co., 9Th & n. Y. Ave.