How to Repel Train Robbers
Without an exception, so far as I have ever seen or been able to ascertain, the express train is made up in the following order, viz., engine, tender, express or baggage cars, second-class coaches, first-class coaches, and, possibly, sleeping cars. This may safely be asserted as the “make-up” of trains west of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers–the most fruitful field of operations for train robbers. The general plan of attack is for one or possibly two members of the band to board the “blind-baggage” or forward platform of the car next to the tender, at some small station or other stopping place; then, at the opportune moment, to climb over the tender and cause the engineer, at the muzzles of their guns, to stop the train at some appointed place–usually some long trestle or deep ravine. Then either the engineer or fireman, or possibly both, are made to dismount from their cab and go back to the express-car, and call upon the messenger to open the door. If the latter does not comply promptly with the request then the door is forced by battering or by explosives. Successful thus far, the only other doubt that remains to be cleared away is as to the amount of money and valuables that the messenger has on this run. As to how well the robbers have guessed in the past, let the “Profit and Loss Account” of the several express companies show.
All of this devilish work has occupied but a few minutes, and then the train moves on, with the passengers and other members of the train crew possibly in ignorance. Had they known, however, doubtless the result would have been the same, for unless forewarned the railroad and express companies are rarely forearmed. And this must naturally be so, for, in the first place, the train has been brought to a stand-still on the trestle, so that no aid can come from the rear coaches to the front; and, in the second place, the train is lighted, and renders conspicuous as a target any brave man who dares to sally forth. The robber is covered by darkness, and, I doubt not, a tree or a boulder besides. Should the express car fail to yield what they may consider a fair reward for their boldness, then the robbers turn their attention to the passengers. This, though, is believed to be the exception rather than the rule. In such an undertaking the chances for a large amount of booty are very small and the danger is very great.
In all raids upon express cars, it would seem that at least three points must be considerd by the robbers, viz.: 1. Danger; 2. Probability of a “big haul” of money and valuables; and 3. The number to share in the division of the stolen goods, or the individual gain. As to the prominence that is given to these three considerations, it matters not in this article, but the smaller the number of men that can accomplish the deed, the greater will the individual reward be. Personal gain is the incentive. Such a body of raiders are not out in quest of health or sport, but personal gain, pure and simple. The histories of such crimes would fix the number in the party at from two to five. Even one man, buoyed by a forlorn hope, has been known to attempt to hold up a train.
The Hon. Wade Hampton suggests, in his valuable paper,* that proper and adequate laws for the punishment of such criminals be enacted, that properly armed guards be placed on the car, that the car be made invulnerable, and, lastly, that bloodhounds be used to “run to ground” the robber.
Of the second and third suggestions, I question the real beneficial effects. It may safely be assumed that the “point of attack” is the engine and then the express car. Why then not separate them as much as possible, by putting the express car the last in the train? Have alarm bells in each coach and sleeper, which can be rung by the express messenger when he is directed or requested, at this unusual time and place, to open the door of his car. In each coach and sleeper have, in a glass-front case, similar to those now in use for the axe and saw, two repeating shotguns, each magazine containing five buckshot cartridges, thus giving from six to twelve most effective weapons into the hands of the train crew and passengers. The alarm bells should be electric, though it is believed that the ordinary cord bell could be made to serve the purpose. When the messenger sounds his tocsin of war, there would soon be a sufficient force of brave men at the express car to give the robbers a warm welcome. For the latter to cover the engine cab and each door and side of each coach or sleeper, would require a force of men too great in numbers to make “the divide” profitable. Besides the greater number of accomplices or principals, the greater the chances of a capture and the possibilities of some one turning “state’s evidence.”
Under such an arrangement in the make-up of a train, should the rear or express car be the sole point of attack, then the first step would be to cut this car loose from the train, and then loot it. The automatic air-brake would give the alarm to the engineer, and he, in turn, to the coaches; or, better still, the concealed electric wire could be so arranged as to sound the alarm when the car parted from the train. Should the engine, as in the past, be the first point of attack, then the crew and passengers (armed) have the advantage of being between the forces of robbers, and, with every probability, can throw the greater number in the fight, and, Napoleon-like, repulse or defeat in detail.
Under the present order of things, the crime of “holding up” trains has become one of almost daily or weekly occurrence. And why? Because two, three, or four men can successfully effect it, and the ill-gotten gains are large. Render the act one more difficult and dangerous of accomplishment, and the attempts will be less frequent. It matters not how invulnerable the car, so long as it remains in the train near the engine it will offer but slight resistance to the robber and his stick of dynamite.
To have one or two special guards on every express car would not only entail a heavy expense to the express companies, but more helpless beings can’t be conceived of than these guards securely locked inside of the car while the determined and desperate robber outside is deliberately lighting the fuse that so soon will aid him in his hellish designs. Verily their hands are tied when they are placed inside the car, and the robber resorts to dynamite. To make the proposed change would be comparatively inexpensive. Indeed, by a mutual agreement between the railroad and express companies, this extra expense might be made very small.
The modern vestibule now in use on some of the wealthier roads of the country is an important factor in the solution of this problem. It is a safeguard to the travelling public against the raids of the train robber, and especially advantageous is it, or it could be made so, for the express car (when the last in the train) to have this connection to the main body. It furnishes a comparatively safe line of communication for the defensive party, and especially valuable is it if it prevents the robber from cutting off the express car from the train.
The principle of the suggestions herein offered first presented itself to me while stationed in Oklahoma Territory, the train robbers' paradise. Having been ordered to take command of a small detachment of United States soldiers to guard the funds of the paymaster while going from the express office to the post, the question at once presented itself as to how best to post the detachment so as to prevent an attack or capture by road agents. Usually there are two conveyances–the one for the paymaster, his clerk, and the funds, the other for the guard. The following plan was always adopted: The conveyance carrying the funds moved out first, and the other carrying the guard followed, but never closer than 100 to 150 yards in open country. If the country became rough and rugged, then the distance was diminished, but always with this object in view - to keep far enough away from the funds to compel the attacking party to divide its forces in order to hold up, and at the same time to ensure the guard’s being at all times within striking distance. This principle I would apply to the proper guarding and protecting of express trains, except that in this case the defensive party has the advantage of position.
The use of bloodhounds would undoubtedly be valuable after the act is committed, but we must render it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for the express car to be robbed, if we would put down “Brigandage on Our Railroads.” As long as the aphorism “Nothing succeeds like success” is applicable to this criminal practice, then just so long will desperate and depraved men follow it.
Jno. T. Knight, First Lieutenant Third U. S. Calvary.
* North American Review, December, 1894.
Serial: The North American Review Volume 0160 Issue 459. February 1895.
Title: Notes and Comments. pp. 248-A009.
Specifically: How to Repel Train Robbers. pp. 254-256.
Author: Jno. T. Knight, First Lieutenant, Third U. S. Calvary.
Collection: Journals: North American Review (1815 - 1900).