The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-02
HAIL IF BULLETS
 FAILS II PREVENT B[C MAIL ROBBERY
Six Bandits Make SpeCtacu- lar Raid on Baggage Sta-
 ton Easter Morning
SpRINGEIEID

SPRINGFIELD. Ill. April 1-- Limited News.)-Federal agents and police throughout Illinois and east ern Missouri were searching fever ishly Sunday night for six bandits who made spectacular raid on the Chicago and Alton station here early Sunday and after exchanging dozens of shots with would-be capturers, es- capped : in automobiles with five pouches of mail.
 One bandit was captured. another is believed to have been wounded and bystander was slightly wounded in the robbery The value of the con tents of the stolen pouches has net yet been determined.
 Fart of the gang made sudden appearance in the station baggage room. James Harney. a driver for the post office. was carrying the mail for the midnight special to Chica go. He had barely crossed the threshold of the baggage room when four armed men, following closely in be hind. ordered him to throw up his hands. Harney and Herbert and John Kirk, both baggag gemen, found themselves looking into the barrels of two revolvers and two shotguns.
 Before the three men could comply with instructions the shotguns had been fired, apparently with no par ticular aim. Slugs spattered the walls. Harney. in the act of raising his hands. was knocked down with the butt end of one of the guns
 While one bandit stood guard over Perkins and Kirk the other three took the pouches from the mail truck outside.
 At this iuncture. A. ". Tyler. a special agent of the Alton, off duty and unarmed, arrived on the scene, having heard the shots. His appear ance was greeted by a shotgun vol ley sThe slugs perforated the wall above his head. Followed a rush by several employees for refuge in the women's rest room.
 Then the banHts noticed Yates ofConnor. taxi driver, watching their robbery of the truck from across the street. A volley of slugs were sent in the general direction of oConnor, and the cab man and others in the vicinity fled forth with.
 Meanwhile the shots were heard by the night clerk at the St Nich- olas hotel, nearby, who notified the police.
 Hold Up Taxi Driver.
 Two of the robbers, after tho mail pouches were secured in automobiles. tarried long enough to hold up Ed ward Bedding, another taxi driver. and a bystander. The few people on tie streets at the time had nearly all been impelled to flee the neigh bordhood by the promiscuous shoot ing. Bedding. suffered a slight flesh wound in the leg, and the two ban dits returned to rejoin their main ps rty.
 Before they could reach the cars. However, two carloads of the Springfield police arrived on the scene. A nip and tuck automobile chase began at once, and running gun battle between the shotguns of the pursued and the reyolvers of the officers lasted several moments.
 The bandits, who had gained their cars, however, made their escape One of the two who held up Bedding ran across the railroad tracks, as he dr opped his shotgun. He also es- caped.
 few minutes later the police had captured the man they claim was his companion, who described himself as George Shelton. 23, and as d he was from Chicago. After impartng this information he .re fused to speak, but the police de- clare he has long criminal record
 Later one of the two bandit cars was found abandoned.
 eight in number. were on the pro- gram by invitation and it is reported that the governor was pleased with the entertainment.