The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-02-24
How the Train
Was Held Up
By BEVERLY WORTtiINCTON
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

""S SooH 'eOHe"u 10 one, ana 6nall
all save about dozen passengers ha
dropped of. The country becomin
arid. nothing to look at outside an
nothing 10 do Inside. some Of us 10
together to talk. There was a Methc
dist minister IN white cravat and
woman dressed In calico, an lrishma
with a red head and q cOlOred man
others there were. but these four ar
especially impressed on my memory
We had exhausted every topic ",
could think Of and were pininR TO
something to break the monotony O
the journey when the conductor cam,
in and said To w:
Were coming to a place. a cut anf
curve In the rmd. where there IL 4
possibility of the train being held mn
IT you people have any valuables thai
you don't care to lose you had bette,
dispose Of them In some way BY which
they won't show up"
How do you know the train il like.
~ to be held up!" asked the Irishman.
man goi on ut the last station
who said that his little daughter, only
twelve years old. had heard some men
laying plan. They had agreed that
they would go through this very train
and at the cut two miles beyond Rae.
coon. There's only one cut about there.
and there's u curve In it."
why don't you ~ back p asked the
woman. trembling.
Because there's no certainty about
the matter. ! don't know how well
can depend on the information. II I
backed at every such report. throwing
the roads schedule out. I'd soon get
my walking papers,
where's the man who told about
this?"
I'm the baggage car"
One or two Of the passengers went
forward to interview the informer.
while the others began to take meas
ufes to put their valuables in places
where they would not likely be found.
We had left Raccoon and would be IN
the cut In few minutes. The woman
unlocked her dress In front and cram
med III pockethOok. The freshman.
thinking that she would not be likely
to be forced To disrobe. asked her IL
she would kindly take charge OF roll
or bills for him. She consented. No
one OF the other passengers-tfcy were
al men-seemed to be satisfied to keep
MS valuables on his person, SO one by
one they went to the woman and ask
Ell her TO be their temporary safe de-
post. She was very obliging. but, not
having room where she had put her
own pocketbook. she suggtisted that
they tie up their goods In their hand
Kerchiefs and she would pin them
on to the waistband Of her petticoat.
This seemed SO admirable a plan
that every man In the car came to this
lone woman and begged the protection
OF her skirts for his money. watch and
lewelry OF every kind. She was lit.
orally loaded down with them. having
n circle Of suspended articles around
her waist.
The news that the train was likeIy
10 De held up was carried into the
next car back-there were bur two
passenger cars-and half a dozen per-
sons came into our car to learn about
the matter. There was no more room
TOT vaiuables under the woman's skirt.
OUT the minister stepped forward with
plan. much to the relief of these
newcomers. Taking or his silk hat.
he said
am carrying funds for the church.
and. knowing Of the danger Of being
robbed In this wild country. had :
false top put In my hat. have room
Ior what money any Of you msy wish
% secrete."
de took out the false top and nut II
PACK again on all the money there was
eft unprovided for.
but there was. no room In the c,arpv.
nan nat except for money. The col.
req man opened worn suit case thar
ooked as II It would scarcely hold to.
elmer to complete the journey and
mong the contents. some soiled under
,o!hes' MD a fifty cent piece and two
ickeis. all the money he had. This
eened to those passengers whose
PATCHES and jewelry had not been TAX
care OF the acme Of fine hiding
'aces. No robber would expect TO
I'D anything In that suit case among
Negroes soiled underclothes. Couse-
uently the goods that had NOT vet
cen hidden were dumped into the tat
red receptacle,
ny Inc time the last article had been
ored away the train reached the cut.
ne passengers held their breath
lille passing through 1t and, breathed
gam on reaching the other end. When a
icy We're congranlatins themselves a
getting through safely there was a
rk on the bell rope. and the train q
lddenly came to a stop.
The passengers turned pale and kent
e'r seats except the clergyman, the y
oman and the negro. They went to
e door. apparently to see what had g
opened. But they did not stop there. n
our horses stood saddled bes.ide the r,
hck. The three passengers mention. y
= Inc negro holding on to his suit 81
sr' jumped from the car and on to
horses. The fourth horse was
o"nted by the informer. Waving nm II
adieu. they put spurs to hi
cir horses and were soon host to OF
wv In wood. 10
BY fhundor" ..,..- a.. =