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DARING TRAIN ROBBERY.

A Chicago Inter Ocean despatch from Cheyenne (Wyoming), dated June 2nd, states of the most daring robberies in the history of the western Country occurred on the main line of the Union Pacific railroad about 120 miles west of here at an early hour this morning. The actions of the train robbers and the careful attention paid by them to all the details indicate that the ■work was professional. At about three o'clock this morning the engineer of the first section of the West-bound , overland flyer, which consisted of three mail cars, one baggage and express car, and a tourist sleepingcar, observed a danger signal just east oE a wooden bridge, which spans a dry gulch, near a small station known as Wilcox. When he stopped his train three men, all masked and armed to the teeth, climbed into the cab and ordered himself and the fireman down. Tho fireman obeyed, but the engineer, known as ' Grindstone ' Jones, showed fight, ■ and resisted the robbers until one of the robbers exclaimed :

4 Kill the fool,Jßill,' at the same time

hitting the nervy engineer over the head with the butt of his pistol. Jones was then dragged from the engine and left at the roadside, where he afterwards recovered. The fireman was forced to return to the engine, but not until he had, by orders, cut off the baggage and express and mail cars from the rest of the train. This done the robbers ordered the fireman to go ahead. The train was then run across the bridge a distance of half a mile. Two men returned to the structure, and placing several charges of dynamite nnder the stringers attached fuses and blew the bridge to pieces. During this time four other bandits were busy with the express car.

The robbersfirstdemanded admission, and being refused they placed sticks of dynamite under the doors and blew them to atoms.

Express Messenger Woodcock was rendered unconscious by the explosion and was pulled out of the car by the highwaymen, who then proceeded to the treasure safe of the Pacific Express Company. Once more dynamite was used and with terrific effect, the door of the safe being blown off, a hole torn in the top, the roof and sides of the express car demolished, and the end of the adjoining mail car being badly damaged. The express matter was blown into small fragments and the contents of the safe suffered also.

By this time the four men were joined by the other two, and together they hastily stored the bills and coin away in large canvas sacks and, mounting horses which had been tied to the telegraph poles near by, disappeared in the darkness, going in the direction of the Medicine Bow range of mountains, to the south.

The amount secured by the robbers is not definitely known, but it is said that $36,000 in cash and some valuable express packages containing diamonds and other jewellery were taken. As soon as possible the engine was run to the nearest telegraph station and the authorities were notified. Superintendent Harris of the_ Wyoming division of the Union Pacific at once started for the scene of the robbery, accompanied by the United States officials.

At Laramie, sixty nrles from the scene of the hold-up, a posse was secured and started out on the special train, with horses sufficient for the party. They reached Wilcox about 9 o'clock this morning and at once started out over the country. Late this evening no trace of the robbers had been discovered.

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Permanent link to this item

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DTN18990715.2.38.6

Bibliographic details

DARING TRAIN ROBBERY., Daily Telegraph, Issue 9523, 15 July 1899, Supplement

Word Count
593

DARING TRAIN ROBBERY. Daily Telegraph, Issue 9523, 15 July 1899, Supplement

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