Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-01
COULDN'T UNLOCK BIG Safes
Adams Express compsny's Bundles
Containing Twenty-Five Thousand
Compelled at Point Of Gun to Help
Robber Handle Money Bags.
(By Associated Press.)

LEWISTOWN. PA. Aug. 3l.-One
CT the most audacious and startling
hold-ups OF a railroad train in the
East for years occurred on the east
ern slope of the Allegheny mountains
early today when lone highwayman
stopped a Pennsylvania RaiIroad ex-
press with dynamite cartridge ana
at the point OF Il revolver compelled
the crew to carry thousands OF dol
lars in coin and bullion from an ex-
press car to a spot in the wilderness
When the conductor OF the train
attempted To interfere with the rob-
ber's plans he was shot In the band
and the bold bandit succeeded IN
making good his escape. an the. dark
ness. however,. he mistcok a bag con-
tanning ten Thousand Lincoln pennies
for gold coin and staggered away with
ii leaving the real gold bullion.
Bloodhounds on the Trail.
When the news OF the robbery
reached the railroad and expsess COM
pany ofiicials they Immediately or
dered every available detective nom
the East ana West to the scene In
an effort 10 capture the audacious Jan
dit Bloodhounds were also put on
his trail but up TO late tonight no
trace of the man had been found
The looted tram was made up OF an
engine, three express cars and two
sleeping coaches filed with passed.
gers. At about ] 30 a. m. II was run
ming through Lewistown Narrows,
when suddenly a dynamite cap ex-
ploded and the engine driver brought
the train to a standstill Then he was
confronted by masked figure holding
a revolver in either hand.
Are there any mail cars on this
trainy'' demanded the highwayman.
No" was the reply Of the engi-
neer.
Crew Forced to Accompany Robber.
The engine crew was then forced
at the point of the gun to accompany
the Iobber to the first express car.
A revolver was presented 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 crew TO car
ry all the gold and bullion stacked IN
the first car 40 the side Of the track.
Conductor l. +. Hoffenberser. OF
Harrisburg. Pa, who came up while
this work was being accomplished
was ordered back by the bandit, who
emp;ied one OF his REVIEWERS at him.
one of the shots penetrating his hand
and the others grazing his body.
Compelled to Steam Away.
Despite the appearance of three
passengers, who had been awakened
by the shooting the robber calmly
ordered the crew back on the train
and compelled them TO steam away,
leaving the bullion beside the track
II was recovered later by a posse
sent on a special train swhen the
IT. in was leaving he called out: Good
bye and good luck; hope to see you
again
II was reported tonight that in ad-
dition to the missing pennies several
thousand dollars IN currency was
missing. but the express company Off,
cials refuse TO announce the exact
amount OF ,heir loss
Agent Hamaker. OF I>ewistown. sent
safe to the scene Of the robbery TO
receive SIX bags Of pennies on which
the seals had not been broken but
which had been cut open 10 ascertain
the contents and abandoned by the
-otber In disgust