A TEAM ROBBERY IN KANSAS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3322, 24 November 1883, Page 2

A TEAM ROBBERY IN KANSAS.

The death of Jesse James and the break up of his lawless gang would it was fondly hoped, be the end of trainrobbing in the Western States; but a train was recently stuck up on the very line which was the scene of some of James’ most daring exploits. Three mon boarded the Atcheson-Topeka and Santa Fe express at Coolidge, 500 miles west of Kansas City, shot the driver and fireman, and but for the fight made by the express messenger, would have secured 50,000d01s in the safe, The plan of the robbers was that while two men captured the engine and made the engineer run the train, the third man was to kill the messenger, then rifle the safe while the train was in motion, and then all three were to escape at once at some convenient place between Coolidge and Dodge City. The following was the story told by Patterson the express man: —

“The raid took place at Coolidge, about ten miles east of the Colorado State line, between two and three o’clock in the morning. There is an eatinghouse in the station, and the train stopped twenty minutes, us usual, in order to give the passengers an opportunity to got lunch. When the train stopped, I off some railroad mail which I had, and there being no express to put off and no further work for me to do, I lay down on my box just in front of tho side door on the side of tho car next the depot. After lying a few minutes, I dropped into a doze, and was lying on my buck, with my arms folded over my breast. Both of the doors on tho side of the car next to the platform were open, Baggageman Johnson being seated back of the side door looking out on tho platform: My revolver I had taken out of my scabbard and laid it down, that I might be ready for any emergency that might arise. The pistol lay whore I could lay my hand on it. At about tho time for tho train to start I hoard tho words: ‘Como out of hero you .’ They awoke mo, and I afterwards learned that the remark was made by Conductor Groeloy to a man whom ho noticed getting into tho car. Whoa I awoko I

naturally glanced down the car, and I saw, standing within four feet of me, a man with a pistol in his hand. I was lying with my head towards the front end of the car, and the man was standing near my feet. I did not say a word ; in fact, I did not have time to speak before ho covered me with his revolver and fired. The bullet went over my head, and I could feel the powder burning my face. The man then fired a shot out of the doorway at the conductor. When he fired I realised that a train robbery was going on. With the hope of making the robber believe that he had killed me I unclasped my hands, which were folded on my bosom, and allowed them to fall at my side. My right hand fell on the muzzle of my revolver, and realising that it would never do to allow the robber to see that I was about to defend myself,! worked my hand slowly into position till I had laid hold of the pistol, with my right hand on tho trigger. The robber did not notice this manoeuvre because it is was dark in the part of the car where I lay. Meantime the man was working his way towards the rear of the car, evidently supposing he had finished me, and intending to kill the baggage man, or anyone else who got in his way. As soon as I got hold of my pistol, I sprang into a sitting posture and fired at the robber. I jumped up then and walked toward the man. He raised his revolver as if to shoot again, but it went off prematurely, the ball striking the roof of the car. When I shot at him part of his body was behind the stove. 1 aimed at his abdomen, and I believe that my ball took effect. About this time I saw another man, who proved to be a pal of the first, trying to climb in at one of the side doors. No sooner had I fired than he disappeared, and the man I shot jumped out on the platform from the rear side-door. That was the last I saw of the robbers. I calculated that they would come up to the front side-door, and seizing some freight, barricaded the door. In less than half a minute after the robbers left my car, I heard some shots at the engine. Three were fired in half as many minutes. I stood at the front side-door of car, revolver in hand. Just then Conductor Greely came up. ‘ Have they gone ?’ I asked. ‘ I think so,’ said lie, ‘ but I believe the engineer and fireman are hurt.’ Going forward and returning to me, be said, ‘ They are both killed. The engineer is shot through the heart and the fireman through the neck.’ I then jumped out on the platform, and saw the engineer and fireman lying on the platform alongside of the engine. The fireman was still conscious, and was taken into the hotel, where I talked with him a few minutes. The body of the dead engineer was pot aboard the train aud taken to Dodge City. Before the train left I went into the telegraph office and sent a telegram to Mr Patch. After considerable delay, we got a new engineer and fireman at Coolidge, and started again on our journey, one hour and forty minutes late. At Cimmaron, twenty miles distant, wo met a special train from Dodge City, conveying to Coolidge a sheriff and a posse to pursue the robbers.”

The robbers were all caught by the Sheriff’s posse. The State officials must have a pleasant time of it in the Far West, hunting men instead of the buffalo or grizzly as of old.