Train robberies used to be quite common, but things did not always go
how the robbers might have hoped. From 1900 reports -
A train of the Burlington road from Omaha bound for
Kansas City was stopped on the night of Oct. 3 about three miles south of
Council Bluffs, Ia., by two robbers who had boarded the train at the last
station; and after compelling the engineman to move three cars some distance
forward, away from the rest of the train, the robbers attacked the express car.
They compelled the engineman to blow open one side of the express car with dynamite,
but while they were doing this Messenger Charles Baxter went out of the car on
the other side and succeeded in shooting and killing the robber who was watching
the engine. The other robber then ran away, without getting any plunder. Press
despatches state that Messenger Baxter has received $500 from the railroad company,
and will receive $1,000 from the Adams Express Company. The money was well earned.
It is to be regretted that numerous other affairs of the kind have not. offered
an equally good opportunity for recognition of bravery.
Commented the Railway Age editorial - A few more
Charles Baxters in express cars would put an end to the crime of train robbery,
which has hitherto so seldom met with any resistance.
Soon thereafter it was reported - The Burlington road has adopted a policy which
might be followed by other roads top advantage. It offers a reward of one
thousand dollars for the frustration of a train robbery or for the capture of
killing (with emphasis on the killing) of a train robber. It is stated
that as a consequence all of the train men on that road go fully armed, and as
a result train robberies which have recently been quite frequent on the Burlington, will be few
and far between,. It is suggested that if the offer was extended in both
amount and terms to cover the train wrecker, a still further point would be
gained.
New Zealand
was not immune from hold-ups but one was captured on film as it happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQbXeAycblU
Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ