The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-09
ATTEMPT TO HOLD UP L. & N FAST TRAIN
 IS WIPED IN THE BUD BY OFFICERS
Chief Bodeker Tipped Off and Posse Waits For Men At Spot Appointed Collier Fatally Wounded and Jim Raper Slightly Shot Age Herald Reporter On Scene Gives Vivid Descrip ton of Encounter For Others
By JACK BETHEA

that the road was good enough, so it was planned for Friday morning Thursday night at o'clock the auto mobile with the five men left Birming- ham for Trafford and the officers pre- pared for action.
 All this time the detectives had been keeping cases on the gang and Thurs day evening a party of eight men quietly assembled in Chief Bodekers office. They were Chief Bodeker, Enoch Warren and James R. Daly of the Bod eker staff: T. w. Naylor and l.. Me Neill. postoffice inspectors; NJ B. liar Ian, Sr.. M C. Blackburn and ]. L. Civ ins of the Louisville and Nashville rail- road and two Age-Herald reporters They secured an automobile and went a few miles beyond Boyles, alighting there and sending the machine back to Birmin gham.
 From this point the party proceeded on foot. It was necessary to walk about three and one-half miles and it was hard work The night was so dark that one was constantly in dan ger of falling on the treacherous foot ing. Doggedly the eight men in single file plodded on. Smoking, conversation and profanity were strictly prohibited. All one could do was stumble along and think.
 A few minutes after midnight the party arrived at Black creek. Cautious investigation disclosed that the men sought had not yet arrived. Chief Bod eker deployed his men, assigned each his task and all retired to the pine thicket which fringed the railroad track.
 The next three hours seemed inter- minable. It was bitter cold and the men crouehed on the damp ground shivered silently But two things broke the mo- notony of the hours. the pa assage of sec ond No. going north and southbound freight train. As morning approached the air became chiller and dew began to fall to increase the discomfort of the watchers.
 cautious peek at watch showed 3 o'clock. still no sign of the expected automobile and the men began to lose hope and under their breath indulged in vain wishes to bedclothes and eats Just as everyone had almost given up. the faint exhaust of an automobile was heard to the south. Instantly every man was on the alert. There were untitled clicks as hammers drew back ready for instant use.
 Lay Down on Ground
 Chief Bodeker made every man lie flat on the ground and enjoined move ment The automobile drew nearer It's hea dlight lit up the surrounding woods as 1t rounded a curve in the road, but tho chief had forseen this and had his men far enough back. The machine crept up the road with the engine throttled down. It disappeared
 In few minutes-it seemed an hour 1t reappeared, this time headed toward Birmingham. Again it crept by the posse and stopped probably 90 yards down the road. The driver raced his engine to prevent it's getting cold and killed it. The officers did not move. There was the glPam of g ri fla eb1io-ht uln the road. Ten minutes went by, then a man was heard pushing his way through the weeds to the railroad track Shortly after the click and snap of the telegraph wires as they parted under the cutters was heard. The time for ac- ton had come.
 The plan was to take the two men in the automobile as soon as they had fin- ished cutting the wires, then wait un- til the others came and capture them as they alighted from the train. Chief Bod eker took Daly, Warren and McNeill and went to the railroad track to wait for the coming of the engine. Givens, Harlan, Naylor and Blackman surrounded the au- tomobile. They crept through the weeds IS silent as Indians. Not a stick broke under their feet and the first warning of their presence to the men in the auto mobile was the order to surrender What transpired Is told above After
 
 there had been hitch and that the men up the road had not carried out their par, of the programme, Chief Bodeker assembled his men at the automobile. Col Her, the heaviest man, was lying on the ground to the sde of the road, his back against tree. Handcuffed to him and facing the opposite way was Raper. Collier was grooming and calling on the Lord to save him. Raper advised him to buck up.
 Tn this kind of a game you either win or lose." he said philosophically. We lost Don't lose your nerve, Tom Yes but you ain't shot like I am. I'm shot bad. Boys, please get me to a. doctor. hope the good Lord will save me-"
 Raper never batted an eye or gave a groan despite his hand which must have been agony. Once he asked the men to cut out a buckshot which was troubling him particularly.
 Wounded Taken to Birmingham It was decided to take the wounded men to Birmingham in their own car Jim Daily was to drive, but he had trou- ble in starting the engine. Raper was loosened and fixed the spark and throttle properly and then cranked the machine Daily drove to town. It was a drive few of the party will forget. Collier s right arm, crushed by shot. kept falling out of his lap and Enoch Warren, stand ing on the running board at his side, he besought to put it back in a more com fortable position. The bumps on the road which were unavoidable drew heart rending groans from hin. He pleaded l to be hurried to doctor. and when speed was increased screamed in agony over 1 the bumps.
 Raper. in the seat beside him and hand cuffed to him. took matters calmly. He discussed with Chief Bodeker another time when he had been shot. Keep your nerve, Tom," he said turn I ing to Collier. Eve been shot worse n you are and got over it. Only groans answered him. Raper was not questioned until the city was reached. | The men were hurried to the city jail, where pr. Whelan was waiting. A super fcial examination told him that Collier was seriously wounded and an ambulance was summoned and the two were hurried (C0ntisued on Page Ten.s