February
10, 1913 – Two robbers tried to wreck a Soo passenger train
that left St. Paul at 8:40 for Chicago this evening by shunting it onto a
sidetrack at North St. Paul. The passenger train collided with a freight train
and cut a boxcar in two. One passenger coach was derailed by the impact;
however, no passengers were injured.
The passenger crew and porters who went to investigate saw two men running toward the plant of the North St. Paul Table Company. They opened fire on them. The would-be robbers returned fire and there was a running revolver fight for several minutes.
Nearly everyone in the village was disturbed by the noise of the collision and the crack of the shots. Charles Kliede, the village marshal, a deputy, and a railroad detective joined in the chase, but the suspects escaped.
Residents of the village said last night that they believed it was the plan to wreck the train and then rob the passengers during the excitement and confusion.
Examination of the switch showed that it had been opened with a key. Detectives will investigate to see whether the key had been stolen from an employee on the road.
The passenger crew and porters who went to investigate saw two men running toward the plant of the North St. Paul Table Company. They opened fire on them. The would-be robbers returned fire and there was a running revolver fight for several minutes.
Nearly everyone in the village was disturbed by the noise of the collision and the crack of the shots. Charles Kliede, the village marshal, a deputy, and a railroad detective joined in the chase, but the suspects escaped.
Residents of the village said last night that they believed it was the plan to wreck the train and then rob the passengers during the excitement and confusion.
Examination of the switch showed that it had been opened with a key. Detectives will investigate to see whether the key had been stolen from an employee on the road.
The passenger train was running at low speed as it
neared the outskirts of North St. Paul. There is a curve in the road where the
switch was opened, and when the engineer was saw the red light and boxcar
ahead, he jammed on the emergency brakes, but failed to stop the heavy train,
the force of the impact knocking a coach off the rails. The passengers aided
the crew in jacking the car back on the tracks. The trip was resumed after a
delay of about a half hour.
Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Train Robbers Fail to Wreck Soo Train. Switch Opened at North St. Paul—Soo Passenger Hits a Freight. Crew Fires on Suspects—Village Posse Is Outdistanced in Chase. Passengers Escape With Jolting—Detectives to Investigate Today.”; Feb. 11, 1913; p. 1.
Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Train Robbers Fail to Wreck Soo Train. Switch Opened at North St. Paul—Soo Passenger Hits a Freight. Crew Fires on Suspects—Village Posse Is Outdistanced in Chase. Passengers Escape With Jolting—Detectives to Investigate Today.”; Feb. 11, 1913; p. 1.
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMHB89_Water_Tower_Tower_Park_North_St_Paul_MN
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records. Both short searches and family history reports.
Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com ® click on Family History
Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com
If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records. Both short searches and family history reports.
Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com ® click on Family History
Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com
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