Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1895 — BOLD TRAIN ROBBERS. [ARTICLE]

BOLD TRAIN ROBBERS.

HOLH-UP ON THE CHICAGO AND WEST MICHIGAN. Train Vu Hanning Light and the Villaina Were Badly Fooled-Got 07.30 and Two Watches—Paaaengera Badly Beared bat Not Molested. Bandits Near New Richmond. Fire desperate bandits dynamited the express car on the Chicago and West Michigan passenger train, due at Grand Rapids from Chicago at 10:30 p. m., near New Richmond, Tuesday night. The robbers secured only two watches and 07.50 in money, bnt their intentions were good. The Allegan County officers were notified, and with daybreak the woods in the vicinity of the hold-up were thoroughly scoured, and liberal rewards offered for the apprehension of the robbers. Not only the Allegan County, but also the sheriffs of Ottawa, Van Buren, Kent, and Kalamazoo Counties have been notified, and the officers say that, unless the robbers have a boat and escaped across Lake Michigan, they will be caught. The train was bowling along at a rapid rate. When rounding a curve at a place in the road that is lined with forest growth Engineer Debbie caught the gleam of a white light waved across the track. He saw by the reflection that the track was obstructed and brought the train to a ■top. As the train was stopped a volley was fired into the cab, one shot narrowly missing the fireman, and the two men were ordered to come down. They refused to comply with the demand, and the robbers, only two of them in sight, did not insist Upon it. The rear brakeman, Timothy Murphy, jumped off the train and ran back to flag any train that might be following. The robbers saw him jump and fired at him, inflicting a flesh wound in the thigh. Conductor E. E. Rice stepped out upon the platform to inquire what was the matter and was fired upon, but not touched. The passengers were not molested, but were dreadfully afraid they would be. Women were in hysterics. The men looked for places to hide their valuables. Even if the robbers had decided to work the train they would not have found much without - a careful search. The passengers were mostly tourists bound for the northern resorts. James Cannon, of Rock Island, and Herman Pew, of Chicago, were on board, and they gave vivid descriptions of the wild scramble for places to hide valuables. Conductor Rice thinks the robbers were amateurs, as they were not disguised nor masked and made no effort at concealment. The leader was a middle-aged man about five feet six inches, with a fnll beard. The other three were younger, and all were roughly dressed. Brakeman Murphy was taken to Grand Rapids and had his wounds dressed. He is not seriously hurt. The passengers were in a desperate panic. The women crawled in behind seat backs and the men got in as inaccessible places as they could. The brakeman hastily returned to the coaches and locked the door after him. With the decks clear for action, the robbers turned their attention to the baggage and express car. Dynamite Is Used.

The firing had alarmed Baggageman V. N. Vaunetta and he had locked his door against the intruders. The robbers ordered him to open up. He refused. Then they applied a stick of dynamite to the side door and blew the bottom of the car open. Mr. 'tfannetta concluded that he had done all that valor demanded and opened the door. The robbers immediately demanded the key to the strong box, and when Mr. Vannetta declared he did not have it they used up another dynamite cartridge and burst it open. The strong box was empty and did not even contain a cent. The train did not carry any express. The robbers left the car in disgust and held a heated argument whether or not to go through the passengers. They finally concluded not to do so, Conductor Rice representing that the passengers were mostly poor people who could not afford to lose what little money they had. The robbers relieved Mr. Rice of what small change he had. about 07.50, missing the well-lined pocket-book which Rice had thrown into the wood box. They also relieved the fireman and engineer of their watches and then with a pleasant farewell to the conductor they gave him permission to move on and disappeared in the woods. This train is patronized every day by wealthy citizens of Grand Rapids and Northern and Western Michigan, whose business calls them frequently to Chicago. The express messenger went out with a “feint” car in the afternoon and was returning on a “dead” trip. There were forty-two passengers. To make sure of a halt ties had been piled on the track half a length ahead of where the engine stopped. The baggage car was not disabled and the train proceeded, arriving at Grand Rapids half an hour late. Albert Antisdell, of Chicago, superintendent of the American Express Company, said his company had lost nothing by the hold-up. “We had no messenger on the train,” said he. “Our night messenger went out on the train that leaves at 11:45.” “Will you send any detectives to the scene of the robbery?” “Yes, we’ll send some men over to help the officers in pursuit of the robbers.” The train was composed of an engine, baggage car, two passenger coaches, and a parlor car.