New Britain herald., 1924-06-13
Robbers Use Gas Bombs

Robbers Use Gas Bombs The train carried more than 70 mail clerks and guards, all armed, but only those in three cars were com. pelled to face the guns of the rob- oers. Those cars carried the regis ] tered and first class mail. The robbers forced their way into The cars by breaking windows and throwing bombs filled with chlorine gas. The clerks and guards, nearly , overcome as the deadly fumes. were forced 10 open the door. and allow the robbers to enter.
 officials are certain that the holdup was arranged by men thoroughly nmlliar with railroad and railway mail clerks work.
 Two Bandits On Train
 At least two Of the robbers con. eealed themselves aboard the mall special before it left Chicago. The train had just gone through gond- out and was travelling close to so niles an hour Two men, carrying Flashlights and pistols came from their hiding place between the tender and the frs coach, crawled across inc swnyins coal tenasr and into the on. gineers cab. The muzzlo Of one weapon was pushed against the back of Engineer s. +. Waite Of Milwaukee. The other bandit covered the fireman. E. J. Riddle, also Of Milwaukee.
 Ordered To Stop
 "A half mile down the track yonll see a red light flashed on the west side" the man back Of the engineer said "You'll stop the train. 1T you don't you're done"
 The train roared on with slackeu- ing speed as the bandit had orderps slow application Of the brakes. Just where the Buckley road. popular auto route between Chicago and Lib- ertyvills, cut the track. a red light ilared close 10 the west rail.
 Now jerk it." the bandit yelled into the engineers ear.
 Before the train came 10 a full stop q third bandit cut the air line.
 stopped Across Read
 or the eight cars of the train only one contained registered mail. The bandits directed that the train be slowly backed 90 that the car was stopped across the auto road. Clerks in the car saw two automobiles on the east side Of the train and two on the west side, sensed something was wrong and, according to their orders. sxtinguished all lights.
 When they refused 10 open the doors the bandits hurled gas bombs through the windows, and against the deadly fumes the courage of the men and their pistols were ineffectual.
 Outside they were lined up with The engineer. fireman. conductor and lagman.
 Two other cars likewise were bomb sd "ith gas and the occupants forced put. hands above their heads, for air.
 I-se Gas Masks
 The pouches sought were found ,nly in the middle coach, however. The leader Of the robbers. a stocky ellow wearing a gray suit. donned yas mask and forced one on the chief nail clerk.
 Knew What They Wanted
 T want the federal reserve ship. nents to Milwaukee, Minneapolis. St. 'aul. Helena, Butte, Seattle and ;pokane." the leader announced. T Iso want for my own special purpose, sack you have consigned to Round D. Mont"
 Even the mystery bag labelled iRound-Up. Mont" vas obtained.
 AS ths bandit leader and the chief Jerk flung the pouches 10 the ground. he other bandits forced the mail Jerks to carry them 10 the waiting ut omobiies.
 several discarded masks. a bottle f nitro-glycerine and a quantity Of ynamite we're found discarded at ths ide Of the track after the robbery. hose and a deep pool of blood. etf- cntly from the wounded bandit were be only tangible cievs the robbers sft
 More than 50n armed men quickly ere put 10 work on the robbery. hey included every available agent [ the Milwaukee road, all the post nice inspectors Of the Chicago Mill aukee offices. squads of police from llicago and Milwaukee and a num- er Of posses.