Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-24
Four Bandits Halt Train
Near Springfield at
Midnight.
LOCOMOTIVES CUTOFF
Dynamite Charges Fail to Blow
Open Safe-PoSSe on Trail
of the Robbers.

Springfield, ILL.,, Dec. PA posse
started early today to renew the hunt
for four bandits who held up the Alton
Hummer, fast passenger train on the
Chicago & Alton railroad, shortly af-
ter midnight near lies station, four
miles south OF here
After uncOupling the engine and ex-
press car from the train and COMPEL
ing the engineer TO take them more
than a mile down the track, the rob
hers made FIVE unsuccessful attempts
TO blow open the express safe with
nitroglycerin and dynamite.
According TO railroad and express
officials, the bandits secured only a
few packages OF small value
The express car safe is said TO have
contained a large sum OF money and
valuable jewelry shipped by Chicago
jewellers 20 Christmas purchasers.
FLAGMAN GIVES ALARM
While the highwaymen were work
ing with the engineer and fireman,
F!agman Smith slipped away to the
lies junction telegraph Office and Soti-
fed railroad officials here and at
Bloomington.
The robbers worked 45 minutes in
the express car, giving a switch en-
gine carrying officers time TO reach
the scene before the highwaymen
could set away. When the robbers
heard the engine approaching they
fed, firing a few shots at the officers
as they disappeared in the darkness.
The passenger coaches and sleepers
stood ON the tracks more than two
hours until the engine and express
cars we're brought back and the train
was started for Kansas City.
FIRE on PASSENGERS.
Il Is believed the highwaymen
boarded the train at lies Junction.
which Is an outer yard OF Springfield.
and an order point. They rode the
blind baggage until a short distance
from tie junction. when they covered
the engineer and fireman with guns.
compelling them TO stop and uncouple
the express car and engine. After fir
ing a number OF shots at passengers
v no ventured out to learn the cause
Of the delay. the robbers compelled the
engineer 70 run down the road some
distance. where they ordered the ex
press messenger out OF his car and
proceeded to attempt to blow the
safe.
Deputies and detectives searching
the country near the scene failed &c
produce any c.ew. Apparently the rob
hers escaped.
$4,000 IN SAFE.
That the bandits we're we'll informed
as TO the possibilities Of plunder II
the train is indicated by a statemen
OF express company officials that th'
safe which resisted explosives con
tanned $4,000 in money, jewelry AM
other valuables. In five distinct eX
plosions the bandits used enough nitro
glycerin and dynamite to blow tn,
state house to atoms.
OPEN EXPRESS PACKAGE.
Failing to reach this treasure afte
40 minutes OF most desperate worl
with members OF the train crew hell
Et bay, the passengers frightened int
spasms and no apparent suspicion
that they would be caught, the bandit
opened one express package contain
ing papers OF no value 70 them an
proceeded to avoid arrest only afte
officers had arrived.
While the train was held by the de'
peradoes, Conductor Boyd OF Chicago
followed by passengers, started I
make an investigation, and they wer
repulsed by the command, Get bacl
there. d-n you" This was mad
very emphatic by accompanying revo
yer shots. After that tn passenger
were content to remain safely unde
cover.
PURSUIT SPECTACULAR.
The pursuit was as spectacular q
the holdup. When FlagmRn Smith ra
back and notified the operator at lie
the latter wired the Alton offices q
Springfield. a switch engine was pres
ed into service and is deputies, polio
officers and detectives sent to th
scene.
Engineer Hanks commanded II
switch engine. To make approach lei
noticeable. he darkened his headllgl
and trusted TO the moon TO prevent
possible collision or accident.
When the engine approached Il
scene, the officers could plainly q
two men at work rifing the expre
package at a point about 200 yar'
from the train. At first the pair pa
no heed to the switch engines arfivi
but when the officers stepped dow
the men fed
FALSE REPORT OF BATTLE.
Early reports OF pitched bait
With the bandits appear TO have be-