The San Francisco call., 1909-07-25
A 100000 Job

A $2oo,O0o Job
One of the largest hauls in an express car holdup
that of Lake Shore train near Kessler, Ind
The halt obtained by swinging red light upon
the tracks. When the engine driver slowed down
he shot through the shoulder by of the
II robbers who grouped either side
The passengers and train crew were held at bay
by masked men with rifles while the express car
blown open and the messenger disarIned. 1t
estimated that 100000 was taken from the
safe Before entrance was gained, however, the
messenger succeeded in hiding two strong boxes
containing 100000 in gold coin under coffin and
these overlooked. The robbers lacked the pro-
fessona touch and the affair was laid to Hooser
youths who had been reading penny dreadfus.
similar saving for express company
made about the same time on the Hannibal and St
Joseph railroad, in Missouri, While the bandits
were forcing entrance the messenger kicked
package containing $4,000 under the stove and it
was overlooked. The robbers took $4780 from the
safe and satisfied
Many the unlauded heroes who have stood
bravely to their duty in the defense of property in
express Express messengers have repeatedly
taken the utmost risks in resisting holdups and many
of them have paid for their courage with their lives
The man who undertakes to garrison car in which
hundreds OF thousands of dollars may be slowed
through vast stretches of country where train rob-
bers have been operating displays no mean bravery.
1t is a fearsome thing to hear the pounding of re-
volVer butts upon the doors and command to open
from reckless men who ready to kill and armed
with dynamite Yet, single handed, messengers have
stood off the hercest attacks Their EMPLOYERS do
not ask of them that they give their lives but it is
expected that they will contest the attempt TO the
last inch, and they do it.
Mystery still surrounds the killing of an American
express company messenger in Dallas, Texas, a few
years ago, The train moving through the yards
and the messenger, Concannon, was seen standing at
the open door OF his car as it passed point six
hundred yards from the platform. There was brief
delay at switch and the train drew into the sta
ton. Agents truck to the side of the car but
Concannon did not appear They climbed inside to
ind the messenger stretched upon the floor fatally
injured. There were evidences of struggle His
skull had been crashed with an iron bar The safe
was not locked and $4,000 was missing from it. The
whole affair, murder and robbery, had been accom-
plished within five minutes and trace of the Grim
inal the way he had entered and departed was
discovered.
Joe Shannon one of the best known express
messengers of the country, was in the employ of
the Adams express company for rs years. He pre-
vented robberies score of times the means of
sending p bandits to the penitentiary and killed
two He was overpowered in one attack and was
tied to tree in the woods near Montgomery, Ala.
Five days passed before he was discovered When
he was released his first remark of satisfaction
at having shot of his assalants.
At Corinth Miss. a messenger for the Southern
express company fatally shot through the open
door of his car, but continued to FIRE his revolver
while he lay dying. The robber took large sum
of money from the safe
On the New York Central
Near Little Falls the New York Central a
masked robber boarded the front platform OF the
press car and sawed out panel of the door He
entered while the messengers back turned and
picking up revolver from the top of the safe, fired