1873 Train Robbery

A train on the Chicago and Rock Island road was thrown from the track near Adair, Iowa,and the Express agent gagged and robbed.

(Source: The Charlotte Gazette, Drakes Branch, VA, Thursday, July 31, 1873]
Submitted by: Bea. Adams King)

Mrs. R. B Arnold

Mrs. R. B Arnold, of Adair, Iowa, is visiting her sister, Mrs. S. Sherburne. Another sister, Mrs. S. A. Wood, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is expected to join her here, and after a short visit together the three ladies will go to Mitchell, Dakota, to visit relatives there.

[Spirit Lake Beacon July 13, 1883 - Submitted by Janice Rice]

Fiendish Crime in Iowa

Robbers Ditch a Train and Rob the Express Safe

The following are the particulars of a daring train robbery near Adair, Iowa, of which a brief appeared in our paper yesterday.

Chicago, July 22.-The Evening Journal's special from Des Moines to-day gives the following account of the attack on the train on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad, from Supt Boyce, who was on 'the train: The train left Council Bluffs at 5 o'clock, with four coaches and two sleepers, the rear sleeper being filled with a company of aristocratic Chinese on their way to the New England colleges. There were also two baggage express cars, in which was the through California mail and express matter, consisting In short of near 32,000 in the express safe and' three tons of bullion. When about 55 miles west, of Iowa city, about 8:30 o'clock, at a sharp curve on the road and at an isolated spot with no house in several miles in any direction, the train moving about twenty-five miles and hour, The engineer, John Rafferty suddenly saw one rail move from its place about sixty feet ahead of the engine. He instantly reversed his engine and applied the air brakes, and while In the act of doing it bullets came pelting into the engine like hail. The Engine ran Into the bank and turned over, throwing out the engineer John Rafferty and the fireman, the former falling on the latter dead. It is supposed he was killed by concussion, as no bullet wounds are found on his body. The fireman escaped unhurt. The train being very heavy ran about one hundred feet and stopped. the engine ran up into the bank and turned over, and the two baggage cars doubled up and were badly smashed. As soon as the train stopped six large athletic men masked in full Klu Klux style appeared at the express car in which were the conductor, William Smith. Superintendent Boyce, the express messenger, John Burgess and three other persons, and commenced firing rapidly into the car yelling, Get Out of there, d-n ye! Get out of there!

Two bullets passed through the clothes of the conductor. One grazed the skull of the baggage man, and one grazed the side of the head of the express messenger. The inmates jumped out when they were ordered to the rear, under cover of half a dozen Navy revolvers Two of the robbers marched up and down the train, threatening to shoot any person who showed his head on the train saying, ''Get down out of sight, dam ye, or we will shoot you." The robbers then took about two thousand dollars from the express safe, and cut open the mail sacks, but took no letters, then mounted each a horse and rode off across the prairies in a southerly direction, the whole being done in about ten minutes. They fortunately did not, cut the telegraph wires and Superintendent Boyce at once hastened to the station and telegraphed In all directions. Engines and a posse of men were sent out from Council Bluffs on the Burlington and other roads to intercept the robbers in a southerly direction. Their dress and voices indicated they were regular bushwhackers, and they evidently intended to get the usual valuable express mailer sent, by usual route on Mondays, hut which went through on an extra train on Sunday night.

What they did with it.

The robbers during the day stole a spike bar and a hammer from a hand car house at the nearest station. They drew the spikes from one end of the rail and , fastened a small cord to the end of the rail and secreted themselves several rode away and as the engine approached they moved the rail out of place. The promptness of the engineer and the air brakes saved the passengers from harm, as not one injured, nor was one hurt.

Wednesday Evening July 23, 1873 Daily Democrat - Submitted by Janice Rice

Mr. J. H. Garber

Mr. J. H. Garber, Supt. of the public schools of Adair, Iowa, is visiting his cousin. Mr. J. M. Garber

[Newark Daily Advocate Thursday Aug 14,1890 - Submitted by Janice Rice]

Wm. King is improving

We are glad to note that Mr. Wm. King is improving, and hope is now entertained at his speedy recovery. Mr. John Long and his sister Blanche and their aunt, Mattie Merrill, all of Belleville, O., spent a week with friends here. Mrs. Mary Cole, of Liganier, Ind., with her two youngest daughters, Misses Gertie and Viola, spent about four weeks visiting friends here. Mrs. Cole's maiden name was Merrill, and she was well known by many in Licking county. Her husband used to live in the western part of the county, but with his wife moved to Noble county, Ind., 37 years ago, where they have ever since lived. Their family consists of one son and six daughters, three of whom are married. All their daughters have been successful school teachers. Mr. Cole is now a well to do farmer of that place.

[Newark Daily Advocate Thursday Aug 14,1890 - Submitted by Janice Rice]