The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-27

express safes.
Three safes appeared inpregnable
and were abandoned. After five
charges of nitroglycerin were eXplod-
ed, the fourth safe on the train YVES
wrecked, and its contents barred Dur
ing all this time, probably a dozen
shots were fired by the men, but ex-
cept for a brakeman, who was shot in
the finger when he tried to escape, no
one was hurt.
When the loot from the wrecked
safe had been packed away, the rob-
bers carefully thanked the train crew,
wished them goodnight and disap-
peared into the darkness on foot.
Loss May Not Be Great.
Denison, Oct 27-Officials of the
Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad
whose train No. was held up last
night near Onapa, Okla, and the ex-
press car robbed, would not make
definite announcement early today
concerning the loss However, it was
stated by division officials that 1T was
not probable the robbers made big
haul. This train has not been carry
ing much money since robbery three
years ago when the loot was large.
The express car is being held here,
pending the arrival of investigators
and special agents from Dallas
AT Muskogee, ]. G. McFadden, fire
man, noticed two men at a road cross
ing, just as the train pulled out. He
paid no attention to them. He be-
lieVeS now that these men boarded the
train. The two who compelled the
engineer to stop the train, he said, ap-
peared to be about the same size as
those seen at Muskogee.
When the robbers climbed over the
engine tank to the cab, Engineer E. ..
TIL omas and Fireman McFadden
the men wanted them to stop,
but when Thomas shut off steam they
him to go ahead.
Just across a small stream ahead of
the train Thomas could see camp
fire with band of men around it. At
the approach of the train these men
left the fire and started towards the
engine, which was stopped a few feet
over the bridge They surrounded the
train and commanded the conductor
to have the express messenger open
the door of his car. The messenger,
hearing the conductor, and believing
he wanted an extra steam hose, as one
had broken at PARSONS, Kan, earlier
on the run, opened the door. He
looked into the muzzles of half a dozen
guns.
Charles Hazel. Jr.. a mail clerk, was
hen compelled to go to the campfire
md carry two bottles of nitroglycerin
20 the express car.
In the meantime Brakeman Ed Old
nam had started back to flag a light
freight train, which was following
,lose behind the passenger, but men,
1ers of the gang stopped him with a
;hOt winch clipped the enQ OF MS le1t
humb. He was finally permitted to
lag the train, one Of the bandits go
ng behind him with a leveled gun.
When this same train was robbed |
hree years ago the flagman, instead |
# going back to flag, walked to the |
irst station and reported the hOldup, |
Ind in this case it is believed the pre- |
,aution taken ythe robbers indicates |
hat some Of its members were either |
n the former robbery or very famil- |
ar with it.
AS Oldham walked back, his guard |
old him the intention had been to
top the train north of the bridge, I'M
couple the engine and two express
airs, pull them ever the bridge and
urn the bridge in order that the train
ould not be recOupled.
The two robbers in the cab, how
yer, mscalculated the distance re-
uired to stop the heavy train Most |
# the passengers, it was said here, /
new nothing of the holdup until they
woke this morning. The train was
our hours late into Dcnison.
1t was believed the intention of the
andits was to rob the mail car, in
Shich they thought money was being
arried to the federal reserve bank at