The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-03
M0RGANFIELD FREED
Celebrated Train Robber Finishes
Term in Pen.
EVENT RECALLS SENSATIONAL CASE
Train Robbery Occurred at Aqua
Creek Trial at Stafford c. II.


train robberies that ever occurred
In this country, was liberated from
the State pcnltentiary AT Richmond
after having served his full term
OF Is years.
Morganfield is but little more than
so years of age. but he looks much
older. lie. however. has not lost
mis- nerve and spirit and during his
entire term he was one of the most
closely watched men in the prison.
Chas j Searcy was Morganfield' S
partner in the holdup lie turned
states evidence and got off al ten
years. Searcy has not been heard
Of in this section since his liberation
about eight years ago. Morganfield
ever since his arrest has harbOrcd
ever since his arrest has har-
bored the greatest animOsity to-
wards Searcy and has declared that
he will kill him on sight for turn
ing States evidence.
The robbery was one OF the
greatest sensations ever known In
1t occurred just north
of Aqua Greek on the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg d Potomac
H r. Morganfield and Scarcy had
been in Fredericksburg. They were
travelling through the country on
foot. but in appearance and in intel
Hence were far ahead Of the ordi-
nary tramp.
The train which was held up was
the same one that corresponds with
the 1901 schedule at night now
from this city.
From here Morganticld and
Searcy went To Brooke station and
had evidently worked out well the
plan of the holdup. At Brooke sta
ton they hid in the shadow OF the
pickle factory building there ana
when the train stopped at Brooke
on its way to Washington, just be
fore 10 o'clock al night, they jump
ed on the tender OF the engine un-
As soon as the train started they
climbed over to the cab OF the en-
CINE and before the engineer or
fireman was aware OF their presence
a pistol was pointed in the engi-
neer's face and he and the fireman
were at the mercy OF the robbers
They commanded the engineer 10
stop the train just north OF Aqua
Greek The men fired a number oil
shots. and while one kept guard oy-
er the engineer and fireman the
other went through the train. the
passengers were thoroughly fright
ened. believing from the shots tha'
were heard that a number OF men
were engaged in the hOldup.
Morganfield had all of the pas
sengers scared and holding up thell
hands and succeeded in getting thel
money and valuables and then went
TO the express car. where the door
was blown open with piece OF dy'
Mantle He made the express
messenger open the safe and tool
what money il contained.
The work was quickly done anc
together with their booty Nor
Garfield and Searcy after Orderin'
the engineer TO uncouple the engine
from the train jumped on the en-
CINE. through open the throttle ah'
after the engine had gone 100 yardi
or more jumped off and made thell
way through the country on 100
Al night The engine went WIG
down the road and as II passe'
Whitewater at terrific speed th'
operator wired TO Quantico TO 1901
ont for a wild engine Thefmessag
was received in time to turn th'
switch and ditch the engine, ah'
but for this quick action the "ll'
engine would have crashed into
passenger train and probably hav
caused great loss of life and o'he
damage.
The late Capt Birdsong. so wei
known at that time. was the con
ductor on the train.
An engine was sent for the car
left standing on the track AZ Aqui
Creek and the train went on I
Washington. which it finally reaci
ed with its passengers, who ma
been thoroughly scared. but Wer
greatly relieved 10 reach Washing
ton alive. 81.
Among the heaviest losers by tn
robbery was the Adams Express C
The celebrated Pinkerton brother
and other noted detectives wer
nut on the case.
Morganfield and Searcy wer
through the country on loot an
hurled a part OF the stolen proper
* in the woods Of Stafford. In
was later recovered. as Searcy aite
his arrest was taken over the rou'
in a drag containing detectives an
Mr.. W Seymour White who was Con
monwealth's attorney for StaiIol
at that time. In the lot were
number OF bonds and other Valu'
BILE papers which had been take
from the express car
They made their way to the SoutheI
r. r. early the following morning, ma
inc travelled on foot a long distan'
during the night. There the two me
separated, each boarding the train, ar
made their escape, getting out OF VI
GINA. cLo
Searcy was later arrested at Cumbe
land Md. where he got to drlnklr
and he talked freely while IN salool
n did not take the detectives long
oat the information which led to Il
arrest Morganfeld was finally locate
on a train near Cincinnati and disco
ering that he was being suspecte
he Jumped from the train while II vi
moving rapidly and broke his leg' OF
he did not succeed in getting aw;
from the detectives. He was arrest'
and brought TO Virginia.
Roth men were tried in the Count
court of Stafford county. The. la
Judge Chas. II. Ashton was the JUDI
who sat in the case and the prosecu
inc attorney was the late W. Seymo
= White, of this city. Mr.. Z. l.. Ne
nedy was the sheriff.
The trials attracted attention fro
= all over the country. Searcy turn
States evidence and got of with
sentence of ten years in the penlte
tiary. He had no attorney.
Morganfield was tried later ana
account of his broken leg he had to j
r reclining y on cot in the cOurt-rOc
during the trial. He was a man
wonderful nerve and grit and all throul
the trial. Notwithstanding his crippl
condition. he was closely guarded a
, watched. His attorneys were the Ia
VIM A. little, Jr., and Mr.. Shay,
Cincinnati.
Both trials consumed many days a
! LARGE crowds were in attendance un
! il closed. There were many promine
! witnesses and the head officers oil
|. Adams Express Company were IN