Year: 1874

NAA ACA III AAiC -AAil ASeth LA pa CcS
ing east, on the Michigan Central Rail-
road, short distance east of New Buffa-
10, the whole affair forming one of the
boldest crimes recorded in the history of
the Northwest. The taain was the fast
night express, which left Chicago at 5:I5
P. M, and came through over the Air
Line division. The train left Chicago
on time, and gained somewhat, SO that
passing through stations it frequently
ran more slowly than usual. Mr.. S. B.
Heath was the express messenger in
charge of the car, medium sized man.
who has been in the employ of the
American Express Company for eleven
years. The express car was next to the
engine, and was only occupied by the
messenger, being lighted by single can
die, and all the doors being locked. Sew
eral thousand dollars in money was in
the safe, and fhe messengers chair was
placed in front Of il, where he sat and
sorted the parcels.


When the train arrived at Michigau
City, the railway employees noticed that
three men we're loafng about the express
car, who perhaps got upon the front
platform there. The train started out
and reached New Buffalo full on time.
perhaps a little in advance. The mes
senger, on leaving the station, sat down
in front of his safe and commenced
counting and asserting packages of mon
ey, the usual preparation for leaving
packages at various stations. Nothing
unusual transpired until the train had
run few miles, when, though the doors
were locked. Heath saw mans foot
near the safe and comprehended in an
instant that he was in danger of being
robbed and murdered. He had no time
for reflection, however, as before he could
raise his face so as to see that of the in
truder, he was struck violent blow in
the forehead blythe man standing near
him, who put out the light, and, seizing
a package of money, darted to and out
of the front door, the lock of which was
afterwards found to have been forced off.
Before Heath, who had been partially
stunned by the blow he had received.
could do anything to prevent the escape
of the first man, he was attacked bv an
other, who had also got into the car, and
was doubtless desirous of sharing in the
spoils. A terrible struggle ensued be-
tween the fellow and Heath The latter
had a revolver in his pistol pocket, but
the hammer got caught in the cloth, and
for long time he was unable 10 get it
out. The robber had large knife, but
1t slipped from his hand when he first
attacked the messenger, and he never re-
gained possession of it. The two men
closed and struggled in the darkness all
over the car, each striking the other re-
peatedly, and endeavoring to disable his
| opponent. At last, after receiving some
severe injuries himself, Heath, who was
then underneath, succeeded in getting
his revolver out, and shot the robber
through the head, the ball entering near
4 VIZ NNA' hC AC4tOs WIS lfOl
killed, but he was completely disabled,
and ROLLED off the messenger upon the
floor, where he lay unconscious until the
train reached Niles.


The messenger, who, from the blows
about the head and body which he had
received from the two men, had been


very badly hurt himself, and was cover
ed with blood, became unconscious also
as he fired, and knew nothing more


until the train rolled over the long


bridge just west of Niles. The rumbling
seems to have restored him to his senses.


and as the train ran into the station at


Niles, he called for assistance, being too


weak and prostrated even to rise from


the floor. The station and train men


poured into the car and found Heath


covered with blood, lying on the floor
| Near him was the man whom he had


shot, just gasping his last. He died


within few seconds after the men at the


station entered the car. He was large


powerful man, altogether stronger mar


than Heath, and but for the loss of his


knife, would undoubtedly have killed


the messenger very quickly. At the las


advices from Niles no one had been found


who recognized him, though the country


in the vicinity was thoroughly aroused


and detectives from Chicago were there


Most of the express company's money
was found in the safe, but one package


containing 81, 200 was discovered lyinl
upon the floor, where it had been throw
in the scuffie, but just how it is no
known. The front door of the expires


car was found to have its locks forced of


and the men had evidently entered from


the front platform. So great is the nois
made by the running of these heavy ex
press trains that the quiet forcing of tn
: door by the robbers had been entirel
, unheard by Mr.. Heath, and the two me
r were literally upon him before he wa
e even aware that intruders were With
4 the car. The man who escaped carrie
t off with him 81, 200 in money, and seem
$ to have left his companion to his fate
= Where he jumped from the train has nc
a yet been definitely ascertained, but it wa
: probably at Three Oaks or at Gallon
: stations some distance west of Miles, an
- through which the train, being somewha
4 ahead of time, ran slowly. 1t is though
;, by the railway men that he could hav
s jumped off safely at either place. 1t
), said that the employer at Three Oak
a saw two men ride away from that static
= very soon after the train passed through
It going towards the Southern Railwa,
d It may be that the man who escaped wa
n Joined at Three Oaks by some confedel


ate and driven towards the other line {
railway in carriage


n Heath has not sustained injuries of
Ia dangerous character, though his head
:. badly cut and bruised, and he will be !
a poor shape for business for a week or q
= He has been threatened with vioient