TRAIN ROBBERS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1924, Page 4

TRAIN ROBBERS

AII.MOURED VANS IN U.S. NEW YOIIK, Sept. 2. With riot guns belching blank uiirnuinition while brilliant calcium Hares illuminated the scene, six “bandits” were routed at Tilly Foster (New York) during their attempt to hold up a New York Central train containing one of tiie Post Office Department’s newlyequipped bandit-proof mail ears. ’I he attack and the subsequent sham, battle were staged in the presence of Government officials, photographers, and newspaper men to demonstrate the efficiency of the car’s defensive devices. As a, result of tlie showing made by the defenders of the car agents of the Government said that 100 mail coaches will he equipped with similar attachincuts. These consist of riot guns, Ining shields, battlefield flares and shot spreaders, super-imposed on a car built of steel. The hold-up was repulsed without casualty to the tram crew hut of the six liiake-liclieve bandits, tlncc were “killed.” two were “captured,’ and one “escaped.” The “robbers.” all of them employees of the New York Post Office on special diitv, made their attack at a lonely spot. After the train, consisting ol an online and four mail coaches, had hew brought U a stop by the waving of a red lantern, a “bandit” .lumped into the OII'MIIO cab and another undid the coupling which fastened the locomotive to the train. As the engine pulled along the rails alone, the live reniaini„,r ‘robbers” blunt'd away with rifles at the mail ear in which were the two clerks ready for battle. At once four riot guns protruded through portholes at the side and spread shots in all directions. At the same time the calcium Hares were thrust through other portholes and gave tlie scene a mid-day brightness. ~, , , „ The "bandits” then decided to close in and rushed beneath the ear. As tliev did so guns appeared through the floor of the coach and directed streams ,f theoretical buckshot, which '" c >e caught two Feet from the ground by conical deflectors. These sent the lead f|viii<r in all directors at the height of a mail’s knee. By this time three of the attackers were “dead” beside the rads and two of them surrendered. Ihe bandit who had stood guard over the engineer and (vj'enum was driven oil and disappeard. The great Idly Jester mail robbery, was foiled.