Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-02-19
BOLD THEFT ON
FLORIDA FLYER
Masked Robbers Throw Ex-
press Safe From Nov
ing Train
ESCAPE IN TWO AUTOS
Messengers Disarmed, Bound and
Gagged and Locked in Car-Rob.
bers Jump of at Franconia.

Two masked white men last night
boarded the first section of train No.
81 Of the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad Company, due
in Richmond at 1910 o'clock this
morning, and, after overpowering the
express messenger and locking him
in the car, threw the safe from the
doorway of the car and escaped on
heavy grade running up to Fran
COMA, Fairfax county, short dis
tance south of Alexandria.
1t is supposed that the men got
aboard the train in Washington
which arrived at the Union Station IN
Alexandria at $50 o'clock. 1t was
while the train was nearing Franconia
that they entered the express car
and ordered the messenger to hold up
his hands. The messenger was
powerless to aid himself, and was
overcome. The robbers then at
tempted to blow open the safe, and
being unsuccessful in this threw it of
as the train was running at slow
speed upgrade. 1t is not known what
was in the safe.
The train arrived at Byrd Street
Station Richmond on time, and it
was discovered then that the mes
senger was locked in his car. Tele.
graph wires flashed back the infor-
nation, and it was learned that two
automobiles had been stolen near
Franconia soon after the time Of the
robbery, and it is supposed that they
were used to carry off the safe.
The messenger was released when
he arrived in Byrd Street Station
and continued with the train. He did
not know at the time, it was said,
how much money the safe contained.
According to his story, two masked
men entered the rear door Of his car
soon after leaving Washington and
threatened him with reyolyers if he
did not give them the key to the safe.
He refused. and was, bound and gag
cd and thrown into corner of the
car. There he watched the men work.
They were unable to blow the safe,
and, when nearing Franconia, where
the train necessarily had to Slow
down. they picked up the safe and
hurled it from the train. :. Then they
dropped off.
The messenger, was released when
he arrived in Richmond, but the train
remained only long enough for him
to give rather disconnected story.
The authorities of all the counties and
cities between Richmond ani Wash
inGton We're notified and were asked
to look out for the robbers. 1t was
learned afterwards that two auto
mobiles had been stolen near the
scene of the robbery.
Express Messenger Chambliss was
in charge of the car, and Messenger
Williams. was returning home dead
head. Both men were held up.
According to Messenger A.; Y.
Chambliss, who detailed his eXperien-
&C huNiedly to Southern Express
Company officials in Richmond during
the few minutes that the Jackson
vile Express remained in that city
the two robbers broke the glass door
Of the express car as the train was
slowly making it's way on an upgrade
near Franconia, and thrusting two
pistols through the apertures, or
dered him to come forward and open
the doors.
There was nothing to do but obey
Express Messenger NJ. NJ. Williams
who was i'll, was lying down. In hi:
excitement, Chambliss called .loudl!
TO Williams to come to his assis
tance. The robbers threatened hin
with instant death if the doors wer
not opened Immediately, and Cham
bliss reluctantly. opened one of tn
doors.
Immediately upon gaining en;ranc
the robbers covered Chambliss, fore
ing him at the same time to unlocl
Continued on Page Four)