Evening star., 1909-05-24
Train Bandits Sought by Fly
ing Squadron.
CAPTURE SEEMS ASSURED
Post Office Force Chosen for Courage
and Nerve Qualifications.
PEDESTRIAN PASSED ROBBERS
Were in Express Wagon-Further
Trace Lost-Big Reward Sets
Dragnet All Over State.

Stirred as it has not been over a train
hold-up in years. the officials of the Post
Office Department have taken prompt and
vigorous steps to capture the robbers and
secure the booty taken by the men who
robbed the Union Pacific Overland Linn
tied train near Omaha last Saturday
night
The office of Chief Inspector Mcmillan
of the Post Office Department is today
one of unusual activity over the daring
robbery. Greatest interest is manifested
in the case.
4 force of postal inspectors men picked
for their known bravery and nerve. is
already on the scene of. the hold-up,
Pacific inspectors and authorities in an
effort to round up the robbers.
This force will be increased by tomor-
row with several more men in whose
nerve and ability the chief inspector has
every confidence.
This force will work directly under the
chief inspector here and will be given
q free hand and a free field, and will be
ton.
General Superintendent Alex Grant of
the railway mail service says he has no
no particulars further than the telegraph
ic advices stating that Omaha and Ogden
train No. had been held up by train
robbers between Ogden and South Ogden.
Men Promptly on Ground.
Inspector Mcmillan says that five men
under Inspector Charles NJ Perkins are
already on the ground. There will be four
morrow morning.
His advices state that there were seven
postal clerks on duty on the train. The
hold-up was accomplished by four robbers
in long coats and masks
The department vas probably never so
we'll prepared as now for such an event,
Mr. Mcmillan says. The frequency of
train robberies and the inability to cap
ture the robbers prompted the department
some time ago to make special efforts to
meet such cases.
On the very morning of the robbery il
man who had been stationed at Boston,
arrived in Omaha to confer with the Off
Gals of the Union Pacific concerning train
robberies and those who might be open to
suspicion in connection with them. 1t was
the intention to organize '.hying SQUAD
ron of picked men. quick of intuition,
experienced, fearless and handy with the
gun.
Such men will be on hand in Omaha
or within the district in which the robbery
was committed at the latest by tomorrow
morning: five are already there and under
the guidance of Inspector Perkins. re-
Sarded as an expert in his line. will be at
work on the case.
Of course. Mr.. McMillin does not care
TO say whether the department has any
particular men under suspicion. But a
photograph lying on his desk of r. p.
Lee. alias Kid Curry, desperate-look-
ing train robber, who was released from
the Laramie penitentiary after a ten
year term for train robbery committed
on the Union Pacific at Rock creek.
Wyo.. in 1898. suggests the impression
that he may be one of them.
Chosen for Courage.
The chief inspector says the depart
ment has learned by experience that train
robberies are committed only by most
desperate men. and that inspectors sent
after them take their lives in their
hands
II is generally a case of who has his
gun up first that determines the result
even when the robbers are caught up
with.
The department has all this in mind In
selecting its flying squadron. Every man
that composes 1t has been chosen with
especial reference TO his ability to take
care of himself in addition to performing
his duty under all circumstances
One man chosen for the squadron is
we'll known in this city. The others are
from different sections Of the country and
their identity is as carefully concealed as
possible because of the danger to them
ShOuld In no disclosed