Winston, Mo July 1881

Made of durable construction and still standing today, the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad bridge arch provided the backdrop to one of the James Gang’s most infamous robberies.

On the night of July 15, 1881, soon after the eastbound train pulled out of the station at Winston, the robbers began their work. Passengers were commanded to lie on the floor, while seven masked bandits went through the coach shooting wildly.

Conductor Westfall, who failed to obey, was struck in the chest by two deadly bullets. Others who had gathered on the rear platform, dared to peer into the coach during a lull in the firing and a bullet crashed through the head of Frank McMillan, killing him.

Three of the bandits captured the baggage car and forced the expressman to open the safe from which they removed the contents, estimated from $3,000 to $15,000.

The scene of the hold-up was near the stone arch commonly called “the dump,” and the horses were tethered in the woods close by. Mounting them, they galloped away. Although a size-able reward of $50,000 was offered for their capture, they remained at large for many months.

The arch, made of hand hewn blocks, is still visible today from the north side of State Hwy 6, just east of Winston, Mo.