Milford chronicle., 1909-09-03
lone MAN HOLDS
UP A TRAIN
Stops PGnnSy TerTOriz0S
Crew and RObS Safe.
ESCAPES TO MOUNTAINS

Placed Dynamite Cap on Rails In
Lonely Spot Near Lewistown, Pa,
and compsls Messenger to Throw
Out Bags Of Coin, After Shooting
Conductor In the Handicapped
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 a dynamite
cartridge, and at the point of a re.
volver compelled the crew to carry
thousands of dollars in coin and bull
lion from the express car to a spot
/ IN the wilderness. When the cOnduc-
tor Of the train attempted to 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 to be recovered !
by the railroaders.
When the news of the robbery
reached the railroad and express con-
pany officials they were deeply con
cerned at its boldness. and immedi
Rtely 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
ed headquarters at the signal tower
near the scene in order to 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 to assist in directing the
search.
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
town narrows. a 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 to a stand
still When he looked out to see what
he trouble was he was confronted Z
BY a masked figure, holding a revolver /
n either hand. |
Forced Crew TO Carry Loot. l
Are there any mail cars on this
rain?" demanded the highwayman. I
No" was the reply of the startled en- 2
sineer The engine crew was then Il
orced at the point Of the gun to ac- a
company the robber to the first ex- p
,ress car. where the messenger was o
Ooling out to discover the cause of
he sudden stopping of the train. A q
evolver was pOinetd at the messen- y
ers' head, and threatening to blow II
p the car with dynamite the robber o
orced the messengers of the two ex-
ress cars and engine crew to carry 4
Il the gold and bullion stacked in the
rst car to the side of the tracks. Con- 3
uctor I. R. Poffenberger. of Harris
urg, Pa. who came up while this
'ork was being accomplished. was or NJ
cred back by the bandit. who emp ie
ed one of his revolver's at him. one a,
the shots penetrating his hand and te
le other grazing his body. a,
Bullion Found Beside Track N
Despite the appearance of three pas n
sngers. who had been awakened by \,
le shooting. the robber calmly order h,
/ the crew back on the train and tr
)mpeled them to steam away, leaving ol
ie bullion beside the track. It was IN
later by a posse sent on a
)ecial train. It was reported that. in
ldition to the missing pennies. sever
thousand dollars in currency was
issing. but the express company Off 81
ais refuse to announce the exact
mount OF their loss.
No clew to the robbers identity has ca
It been discovered. He is described frt
being about FIVE feet eight inches =
height, and was dressed in dark fe'
othing and wore a SLOUGH hat pulled stl
all down over his eyes. When the re-
ain was leaving he called out. Good ar
e and good luck l hope to see you be
ain"
Agent Hamaker, Of this place. sent SIX
safe to the scene Of the robbery to
ceiye the six bags of pennies on -
lich the seals had not been broken, Ro
{ which had been cut open with a enl
arp knife to ascertain the contents MI
d abandoned by the robber in dis ma
st. pa