Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-09-04
LONE MAN HOLDS
UP A TRAIN
Stops PennSyE TeTTOTlzGS
Grew and RObS Safe.
ESCAPES TO MOUNTAINS

Placed Dynamite Cap on Rails In
Lonely Spot Near Lewistown, Pa,
and compeIs Messenger to Throw
out Bags OF Coin, After Shooting
Conductor In the Hand-Eseaped
With About 500.
Lewistown. Pa. Sept 1.-One Of the
most audacious and startling hold-ups
Of a railroad train in the east for years
took place on the eastern slope OF the
Allegheny mountains. when a lone
highwayman stopped a Pennsylvania
railroad express train with d dynamite
cartridge. and at the point of a re-
volver compelled the crew 70 carry
thousands of dollars in coin and bull
lion from the express car 70 a spot
in the wilderness. When the conduc-
tor Of the train attempted 20 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 For Gold.
In the darkness. however the rob
Der mistook a bag containing 10000
new Lincoln pennies for gold coin.
and staggered away with it, leaving
the real gold bullion 10 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 holiness. 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
Cd headquarters at the signal tower
near the scene in order 20 make as
thorough investigation Of the crime
as possible The general superinten.
dent and general manager Of the Ad-
ans Express company are on the
ground 90 assist ~ directing the
search.
The looted train was made up OF an
enCine. three express cars and two
sleeping coaches filled with passen-
gers. IL was running through Lewis
town narrows wild and lonely noun
tain gorge through which flows the
Juniata river. when suddenly a dyna.
mite cap exploded. and the engine
driver brought the train 10 n stand
stu When ne looked out 10 see what
the trouble was he was confronted
by masked figure. holding a revolver
In either hand
Forced Crew 70 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 az the point OF the gun 10 &C.
company the robber 20 the first ex.
press car where the messenger was
iooking out 20 discover the cause of
the sudden stopping Of the train. A
revolver was poinetd az the messen.
gers head, and threatening 10 blow
up the car with dynamite. the robbey
forced the messengers Of the two ex.
press cars and engine crow TO carry
al the gold and bullion stacked in the
first car 10 the side Of the tracks. Con.
ductor !. r. Pofenberger. 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
sengers, who had been awakened by
the shooting. the robber calmly order.
ed the crew back on the train and
compelled them 10 steam away leaving
the bullion beside the track. Il was
recovered later by a posse sent on a
special train. II was reported that. in
addition 20 the missing pennies. sever.
al thousand dollars in currency was
missing. but the express company Off.
Gals refuse 10 announce the exact
amount OF their loss.
No clew TO the robbers identity has
yet been discovered. He is described
as being about five feet eight inches
IN height. and was dressed in dark
clothing and wore a SLOUGH bat pulled
well down over his eyes. When the
train was leaving he called out. Good.
bye and good luck. ! hope 10 see you
again"
Agent Hamaker, OF this place. sent
a safe 20 the scene OF the robbery TO
receive the six bags Of pennies on
which the seals had not been broken.
but which had been cut open with a
sharp knife TO ascertain the contents
and abandoned by the robber in dis
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