Train Robbery

LOUISA COUNTY

Posted By: David L. Skipton (email)
Date: 2/8/2010 at 13:30:22

Source: Louisa County Historical Society

On the morning of September 13 last, while Rock Island passenger train No. 11 was passing through the deep cut in Whiskey Hollow, a couple of miles east of Lettsville, the train was stopped by a gang of masked men who flagged the train, climbed into the engine and presented a gun at the engineer and fireman's heads and told them to keep still. The fireman and engineer were made to descend from the engine and watch the gang dynamite the car and blow the safe. The express messenger did not choose to stay and defend the treasure, but fled to the rear end of the car. After blowing open the safe the robbers seized the engine and rode it to a point near Columbus Junction where they abandoned it. They were tracked southward later by detectives but eventually made their escape. The value of the booty stolen was placed at a few hundred dollars by the United States Express Company.