The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-09-03
BOLD TRAIN ROBBERY
Lone Bandit Makes Daring Hold
Up of Train in Pennsylvania.
TAKES PENNIES; LEAVES GOLD
Robber Carried Away Great Loads Of
New Lincoln Pennies, Thinking They
Were Gold Coins.

were GOl0 &olnSs
Lewiston, Pa.-One of the most au-
dacious and startling hold-ups of a.
railroad train in the east for years,
occurred on the eastern slope of the
Allegheny mountains, when a lone
highwayman stopped Pennsylvania
Railroad express train with dyna-
mite cartridge, and, at the point Of
revolver, compelled the crew to
carry thousands of dollars in coin and
bullion from an express car to a spot
in the wilderness.
When the conductor of the train at
tempted to interfere with the robbers
plans, he was shot in the hand, and
the bold bandit succeeded in making
good his escape. In the darkness,
however, he mistooll a bag contain
ing ten. thousand new Lincoln PEN
MES for gold coin, and staggered
away with it, leaving the real gold
bullion to be recovered By the rail
readers.
When the news of the robbery
reached the railroad and express com
pany officials they were deeply con-
cerned at its boldness, and immediate
ly ordered every available detective
from the east and west to the scene
in an effort to capture the robber.
Bloodhound were also put on his
track, but no trace Of the man has
been found.
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
ton narrows, a wild and lonely noun
tain gorge, through which flows the
Juanita river, when suddenly dyna-
mite cap was exploded, and the en-
CINE driver brought the train to a
standstill When he looked out to
see what the trouble was, he was
confronted by a masked figure, hold
ing a revolver in either hand.
Are there any mail cars on this
train?' demanded the highWayman.
NO" was the reply OF the startled
engineer.
The engine crew was then forced at
the point of the gun to accompany
the robber to- the first express car,
where the messenger was looking out
to discover the cause Of the sudden
stopping OF the Train.
A revolver was pointed at the mes
senger's head and threatening to
blow up the car with dynamite, the
robber forced the messengers of the
two express cars and engine crews
to carry all the gold and bullion
stacked in the first car TO the side
of the track
Conductor Pffenberger 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 revolvers at him, one
OF the shots penetrating his hand and
the Others grazing his body.
Despite the appearance Of three
passengers, who mao Oeen awakened
by the shooting, the robber calmly
ordered the crew back on the tram,
and compelled them TO steam away,
leaving the bullion beside the track.
1t was discovered later by posse
sent ON a special train.
When the train was leaving, he call
ed out: "GocdDy and good luck; |
nope to see you again.
No cleW TO the ROBBERS identity has
yet been discovered. lie is described
as being about feet 8 inches in
height, and was dressed in dark cloth
ing, and wore SLOUGH hat, pulled
wei down over his eyes. Re mad a
slight foreign accent.
agent Hamaker of Lewiston sent a
safe to the scene of the robbery to
receive SIX bags of pennies, on which
the seals had not Deen broken, but
which had been cut open with a
sharp knife to ASCERTAIN the contents,
and abandoned by the robber in dis
gust.
st. Louis, Mo.-The robber who
looted the express car Of the Penn
sylvania tram at Lewiston Narrows,
Pa, missed a chance to acquire
half-million dollars or more in gov
eminent funds. Oscar l.. Whitelaw,
sub-treasurer Of the United States at
st. Louis, said that the FIVE iron safes
in the car were filed with currency
to that amount
Mineola, Iowa--Two masked men
held UP the cashier of the Mills Coun-
ty German Bank here, and escaped
! with $1,000 in cash. The cashier ana
two customers were kept in the back
room of the bank by order of the
robbers, while the second man took
the money from the safe and coun-
ter. The bandits fed afoot, and went
east along the Wabash Railroad to.
ward Silver City, near which place
thoxr diaanneared into a corn field