N&W in 1910--BS&C

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
January 23, 1910

MAY HAVE INTENDED TO ROB PAY TRAIN
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Four Men Armed With Winchesters Called on Engineer to Stop But He Did Not Obey
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        Les Coleman and an engineer took $12,000 on a Climax engine yesterday morning after No. 4 passed Devon and started up Knox Creek on their way to the Ritter Lumber camps where the money was to be used to pay off the men.  When the engine had run about a half mile four men with Winchesters crossed the creek and called to the engineer to stop the train.  Les Coleman, who was riding on the tender with a Winchester, spoke to the engineer, telling him to drive ahead at full speed, which he did while Mr. Coleman kept the men covered.  Whether the men were out to rob the train of the pay roll is not known but it is singular that they should be out at such an early hour.  Mr. Coleman was there with his rifle, and many of the people think that the men were frightened off by the fact that instead of stopping full speed was put on by the engineer.  Mr. Coleman fired a few shots to frighten the men as the train went by.

[A bit of the 'ol wild west on the Big Sandy & Cumberland narrow gauge.  Even at full speed a Climax would not be much of a get-away engine.]

Gordon Hamilton
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