Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1892 — SHOT BY HIGHWAYMEN. [ARTICLE]

SHOT BY HIGHWAYMEN.

Train Robbers Resort to Murder ami Flee Without the Plunder. One of the most daring attempts at train robbery that ever occurred in Florida took place at 1:80 o’clock tho other morning on the Jacksonville, Tampa, and Key Wost lload, just north of Monroe Junction, four miles from Sanford, Fla. Tho West India fast mall, which left Tampa carrying two oxpress oars, tho United States malls and some passenger coaches, was boarded at Monroe Junction by four men. When just north of the junotlon and while the train was running at about live miles an hour, two of the men got on the engine and presented revolvers at tho heads of Engineer Dumas and his fireman, ordering them to keep quiet at the peril of losing their lives. The onglneer and ilroman being taken by surpriso could do nothing but obey, as he determined action of the desporadoes showed they meant what they said: The two other men entered tho express oars, which were occupied by Messenger W. N. Saunders and Special Agent I. M. Cox, and attempted to ovorpowor them. The two expressmen, although taken by surprise, made a desperate resistance and the robbers then deliberately shot Saunders, two balls taking effect in his broast and hoad, killing him instantly. Mr. Cox had his man at bay and was about to subdue him, when tho other robber, after killing Saunders, fired at Cox twloe, one ball hitting him in the arm and the other hitting him in tho faco, tho ball penetrating to tho Jo ft eye. His nose also was shot nearly off. The dosperate villains then hurriedly and without securing any booty jumpod from the oar, fearing that the noise of the firing would bring the train hands to tho rescue, and fled to the woods, which aro particularly dense is that section. There was between $35,000 apd $40,000 in tho safe.