Bandit Wrecks Train; Robs Passengers
NOVEMBER 14, 1929
Train No. 59, the West Coast Limited, was derailed Sunday evening at 7:45 o’clock, on the curve just back of the Baker Ranch stadium, the engine landing on the uphill side, turned over, and the baggage and mail cars upset, the first passenger coach being knocked off the rails and left standing diagonally across the tracks.
The train was not going fast, owing to the curve and the heavy grade, or the result might have been a terrible loss of life had the cars gone down the high embankment.
Engineer R.C. Ball was caught in the cab and suffered severe burns from escaping steam from a broken pipe. R. C. Fowler, fireman, jumped, and escaped with only a few scratches.
Deputy Fire Warden Pierre Daries, who was passing on the highway, saw the train go over, and at once, drove to the scene. A “dead head” train crew of several men who were in the front coach, led by Conductor O. C French rushed up to aid in the rescue of the engineer. The steam had not been shut off and the engine wheels were going full speed. One of the men finally got into the cab and dragged the engineer out and shut off the throttle. Mr. Daries threw out his fire material and hurried the scaled man to the Newhall Emergency hospital where he was given first aid and then taken to the memorial hospital in Los Angeles where it is reported he is doing nicely, though seriously burned.
Examination of the track by the officers showed that a rail had been loosened for several feet and the bolts and fish plate removed from a joint. Both bolts and plate were found lying where they had been dropped after removal. The spot was carefully marked by a couple of empty beer bottles. The heavy engine struck this joint, and leaving the train, tore through the ties, reducing them to kindling wood for a considerable distance before dropping over on its side.
The first intimation of robbery was when a stranger, pretending to be a railroad man told the passengers to go into the last two coaches as an engine was coming from Saugus. Most of them obeyed. His work was methodical. The passengers were excitedly discussing the accident and as they were settling themselves the robber entered. There was quick command to “stick ‘em up and give me your money quick.” Then the bandit walked down the aisle taking the purses as they were handed to him under the threat of the gun. When he had finished with the first coach, he stepped through the door to the next. When the passengers realized that the man was gone there was an excited cry for officers. Constable Biddison and Deputy Constable Thompson rushed up and Thompson hurried to the coach door but found it locked. Thompson jumped off the step and came back into the coach and was directed to the back coach. Here he was told that the man had finished his work and dropped off. The officers searched the surroundings but beyond a track where the robber had evidently landed when jumping off, nothing was seen.
Deputies Stewart, Bagley and Pember, from Sub-station No. 6, Constable Biddison and Deputy Gagnon searched the cars for possible suspects who might have mingled with the crowds but the bandit made a clean getaway. Deputy Thompson went over the hill to Saugus, figuring the bandit may have gone that way, but owing to the darkness could not locate anyone, though subsequent developments showed that the robber actually did go over the hill.
About twenty-five passengers were robbed, but the total amount of loot could not be learned, though so far as could be ascertained it did not amount to more than $400. Among those who were robbed were Mrs. L. H. Wott, of Nogales, Ariz., who lost $20. Mrs. Wott said the robber walked through the car toward the front a few minutes before and she stopped him and to!d him a little girl was in one of the front coaches and asked him to bring her back if he could. He returned in a few minutes, and stopped close to Mrs. Wott saying. “I couldn’t find the little girl.” as he jerked a handkerchief over his face, adding, “Hand me your money, quick!” She thrust her handbag toward him, too paralyzed to think what else to do, considering that a pistol that was flashed in her face threateningly. From there on the robber worked fest toward the rear. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, of Willows, Calif., who were returning home from a visit to England, lost $80. L. H. MacMillan, of Oroville, was relieved of $30. H. E. Pierson, district passenger agent, lost $8.00, and jokingly urged the officers to get the villain and his $8.00. All of the victims described the man as thin faced, sharp nose and blue-gray eyes, with rather a pleasant voice, and weighing 140 to 150 pounds. He wore a light coat and soft felt hat.
Captain Stewart, of Sub-station No. 6, was notified of the wreck, and at once set all the law machinery in motion to find the bandits. Secretary Holmes was the busiest man alive, with the orders that went out, and Captain Stewart, Deputies Pember and Bagley were soon on the scene. Stakeouts were set on all the roads, and the descriptions as given by the different victims checked.
Deputy Barley also came close on the heels of the robber but the latter was a little too quick for the officer, and once outside he easily got away into the hills.
The following is a list of additional victims with their losses: Thomas B. Quinn, Los Angeles, $8; P.J. Anderson, porter, amount not given; Gertrude B, Lawrence,. Williams, Calif.; Anna E. Henry, Maris Brockett, Los Angeles; Roy Gray, Bakersfield; Laura D. Ernst, San Dimas, $20; Dana Hoffman, Hollywood, $20.
Captain Brooks, of the sheriff’s office burglary squad, came up, as did Deputy Glen Wilson, finger print expert, and spent Monday working on the clues furnished. The finger prints were said to be useless, probably on account of gloves being worn.
Deputies MacVine and Kelly, with Pierre Darics, fire warden, put in their time searching the hills adjoining the scene of the wreck Monday forenoon.
A coat, presumably worn by the bandit, and accurately described by two or three of the victims, together with a box of matches and a card belonging to Passenger Agent Pierson, one of the victims, was also found. Footprints of a shoe, with a badly worn sole led to the place where these clues were found.
Undersheriff Wright was also a visitor to the scene of the wreck and was inclined to think that the robber is an experienced hand at the business and that the records will show his trail in a number of jobs recently pulled, including the recent attempt in Simi Valley, the work of which seemed to be the same, but was discovered in time to avert a wreck.
The tools used in removing the bolts and spikes were stolen from the tool house near Saugus and the coat found and identified as that worn by the robber shows the grease marks where the bandit had carried, first on one shoulder and then the other, the heavy wrench and spike bar which were found near the loosened rail.