Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-09-03
LONE Man HOLDS
UP A TRAIN
Stops sPennsyExpress, ,Terrorlzes
Grew and RObs Safe.
ESCAPES TO MOUNTAINS

Placed Dynamite Cap on Rails In
Lonely Spot Near Lewistown, Pa,
and compels Messenger to Throw
Out Bags Of Coin, After Shooting
Conductor In the Hand-Escaped
With About 500.
One OF the most audacious and start
ling hold-ups OF a railroad train in the
etast for years took place on the east
ern slope OF the Allegheny mohnains.
near Lewistown, Pa, 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 bull
lion from the express car to 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 in making good his escape.
Mistook Lincoln Pennies Eor Gold.
In the darkness. however. the rob-
ber mistook a bag containing 10000
new Lincoln pennies for gold coin.
and staggered away with 1t, 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-
cerned at its boldness. 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
al 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. 1t 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 stand
still When he looked out to see what
the trouble was he was confronted
by 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 to the first ex-
press car. where the messenger was
looking out to discover the cause OF
the sudden stopping of the train. A
revolver was poinetd at 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.
ductor I. 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.
scngers. 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 n
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
cials refuse to announce the exact
amount of their loss.