Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-28
TEN ROBBERS LOOT
EXPRESS CAR SAFE
Katy Gar Robbed by Band of Men
in Oklahoma in a Most
Methodieal Manner.
TRAISMEE ARE TIED TO TREES


OKLAHOMA CITY, Ok, Oct. q.
A band Of ten robbers held up Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas passenger
train Nc. 8, southbound from Chi
cago TO San Antonio, near onapa,
about a. m. today, tied up the crew
with ropes, placed a guard over the
passengers and looted three express
cars. They held the train two hours
and went about their work with mil
itary precision. They sent back a
detachment, which stopped freight
train coming up behind and placed
the freight crew under guard to pre-
vent interference.
Pursued by Officers.
Express officials refused 70 tell the
amount Of loot taken ny the robbers,
who escaped into the woods and marshes
in the vicinity OF onaps, and were
today being pursued by peace officers
Of a dozen counties and hundreds OF
citizens organized into posses. The train
robbed often carries large amounts OF
money and securities.
Despite the robbers methodlcal efforts.
their plans went awry. and they took
away the contents OF only one safe.
Three other safes defied their attempts.
The men made no effort TO modest mails
or passengers.
Members of Crew Captured.
The band. II is believed. boarded the
train at Checotah. north Of the scene
Of the robbery. After passing onapa, a
station without telegraphic facilities at
night. the train was In a sparsely set
tied territory near the Canadian river,
affording wild forests and marshes for
escape. Here the robbers climbed over
the baggage and mail cars into the en-
gine. They forced the engineer and fire.
man to stop the train. They routed the
conductor from the passenger coaches
and the other members OF the crew from
baggage and express cars. All were lined
up by the track. Some OF them were
tied to trees while members OF the gang
stood by.
Work was then begun on the express
safes. Three safes proved lmpregna3le
and were abandoned. After five charges
OF nitroglycerin were exploded the fourth
safe was opened.
During this time probably dozen
shots were fired by the robbers. but OK
cepting q brakeman. who was wounded
in the finger when he tried TO escape,
no one was hurt
When the loot had been packed away
the robbers thanked the train crew,
wished them good night and left
work Like Trainmen.
All the care OF trained railroad men
were exercised TO prevent wrecks. I'm
doubtedly aware that they were on the
main line they sent guards Doth to the
front and the rear 10 flag any train
that might approach. II was this eau
ton that led to the stopping OF freight
train In the rear and eventually to the
spreading OF the alarm OF the robbery.
The robbers guarding the freight train
crew were foiled by the engineer, who
escaped and ran seven miles to Checotah
where he summoned assistance. Before
officials could reach the spot all the
band mad fled.
Nothing OF Value Taken.
ST. LOUIS. Mo-. Oct &c. ID SUM
ney. general manager OF the Southern
division OF the American Expross com.
pany. said nothing OF value was IN the
safe which was blown by the men who
robbed the Missouri. Kansas q Texas
train in Oklahoma early today, He said
no had been informed that the robbers
took package Of claim vouchers and
railroad ticketA