Year: 1874




Express Car ON the Michigan Central


Rsilway-Remarkab Pluck of the


Express Agent of the Robbers


Killed, and the Other Escapes With


Nearly 5000.


SINCE the Gad's Hill outrage railroad and
express trains have not been the object of the
attention of the knights of the road to that
degree as formerly. An event, however,
which occurred near Three Oaks, Mich, on
the Goth of May shows that thieves have not
ceased to look upon wellllned money chests
on express trains as something to be desired
Chicago, bound east, on the afternoon OF That
day, two men were observed standing upon
the platform OF the express car, somewhat
unusual position for the peacefully-inclined
traveller, but one to be desired by those whom
necessity compels to journey but whom fate
has relegated to impecuniosity-they were
out of the way Of the conductor.


Through the forests and swamps of South
em Michigan they stuck bravely TO the plat
form until about nine o'clock, when they
reached the vicinity of Three Oaks. While
the train was bowling along ct the rate OF
forty miles an hour they clambered over the
top of the car and descended to the rear plat
form, whence door opened into the express
car. This was in charge of Spencer Heath, an
employe Of the American Express Company.
The robbers were prepared with the necessary
appliances to promote their success, and dis
posed of them in q manner establishing the
belief that they were familiar with the busi-
ness. Having securely fastened the door OF
the baggage. car by ropes tied from the knob


to the railing, they attempted to dislodge the
door of the express car. This they succeeded


in effecting by means of heavy iron bar,


which enabled them to pry it from the hinges


and the interior of the car with its contents


was at their disposal.


Heath, the messenger, occupied seat oppo


site the safe, and, with portfolio on his lap


was engaged in checking and making up hi'


run, or, rather, distributing the valuable'


consigned to his care. The roar and rumble


of the cars prevented his hearing their move


ments, and the first knowledge hepossessed o


their presence was when they stood in threat
ening attitude opposite him. Startled by tn


sight which met his astonished gaze he wa


upon the point of rising to confront the des


peradoes, when the larger Of the couple strucl
him a violent blow with his fist, reinforced b.


pair of brass knuckles, which forced hin
, from the chair he was sitting on to the hoo
In semi-conscious condition. Thoug
! stunned ia a measure by the brutal attac


he yet maintained his presence Of mine
and drawing his pistol as the smaller villai
, , stopped over him for the purpose, doubtless
t of concluding their dastardly attempt by TIL
: commission of murder, fred and, the ba
! lodging in his assailants left temple, he fe
J heavily TO the floor and yielded up the ghos
3 The lights had by this time been extipguishe'
!. and the brave man who had peried his life
discharge of the trust committed to him fain
ed away.


In the darkness and gloom, with his con
e rade dead on the floor and the subject of h
y attack apparently in the same state, the robb
u made hasty investigation of the object
i his attempt, and securing money In packag
9 amounting in the aggregate to S2,7OO swur
e himself from the scene Of strife and robbie
n and death.


h When the train reached Niles the static
=: agent noticed that the door of the car W
a wide open, and upon investigating the my


tery found Heath just emerging from sta
Ie OF unconsclousness, and his opponent In I
Or scrimmage related above lying stark and dc
IN by his side. When he had comprehended
4. situation he turned his attention to Heat
Sc and, after carrying him into the air, by the u
a, a, of some potent remedies he gradually revive
d, detailed the above facts, and expressed his
IN termination to complete the run, which he d
~ though persuaded not to do so.


r. The corpse was carried into the static
"a house and examined. 1t was that of a m
he not more than twenty-five years Of age, vi
x x, light brown hair, fair complexion, an incipit
in blonde mustache, and arrayed in the garb o
he workingman. THIS was evidently Intended
ns zs q disguise, for his skin was white, and har
d. as soft as woman's indicated his occupati


10 have been one not requiring manual lal
&c or muscular exertlon.
Die Nothing was learned as to his identity
'ie cept that in an inside pocket were letters be
he ing the superscription OF Charles Queenan.