Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1874 — The Recent Express Robbery on the Kansas Pacific Read. [ARTICLE]

The Recent Express Robbery on the Kansas Pacific Read.

Last evening just as darkness was settling over the city there came a report of the robbery of the Wells, Fargo &*Co. express-car on the Kansas Pacific Road, which occurred scarcely two hours before—a robbery so boldly planned and successfully executed as to completely pale any frontier exploit which time has yet recorded. The scene of the robbery is the village of Muncie, a small flag-station on the Kansas Pacific Road, twelve miles distant from Kansas City. Yesterday afternoon a short time before the train was due there a party of five men rode into town and deliberately hitched their horses. As the train caine in view one of the party stepped out upon the track, and, untying a scarf which he had worn about his neck, waved it to the engineer, who at once began to slacken the speed of the train. While this was going on the remainder of the party were placing a railroad-tie upon the track. As soon as the train came to a stop a shot was fired and the engineer was at once ordered to the ground and told to uncouple his engine from the express-car. This he did, but the robbers at once discovered that they had made a mistake and hurriedly ordered him to couple again, which command he also obeyed. They then ordered him to uncouple the ex-press-car from the coaches, which being done they boarded the car, while a portion of them ordered the engineer to his post and told him to pull away from the train. The distance gone is not ascertained definitely, there* being some conflicting statements in regard thereto. Two men effected the robbery. They presented their revolvers at the head of the messenger, Frank B. Webster, and ordered him to open the safe and deliver the contents, which he thinks amounted to some $30,000. As near as can be ascertained, all of the men connected with the affair were large in stature and powerful, except one who was rather short, but stoutly built. They rode bay horses, which seemed to be in an exhausted condition, and the entire party were armed with revolvers and Henry rifles. They were dressed in ' dark clothes, and their manner of execut--1 ing orders showed they were alanped

Md excited. They made bo attempt to disturb the mail, leaving the registered letters <• As soon as the train arrived at this city Gov. Osborn, of Kansas, was notified of the robbery, as were also the officials of the railroad, and in. less than an hour rewards were offered as follows: By the "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Company, SI,OOO each for the perpetrators, dead or alive; $5,000 for the recovery of the property; by Gov. Osborn, $8,500 for the robbers; and $5,000 for the same by the Kansas Pacific Road. — Kantat City (Mo.) Timet, Dec. 9.