Trial of Oliver Curtis Perry starts tonight

In the turbulent era of post-Civil War industrialism, a stream of bandits, robbers, and anti-heroes captured the public imagination. Headline grabbers such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; and the notorious James Gang often stole the national spotlight.

Not to be outdone, New York carved out its own niche in the media parade. On a chilly February morning in 1892, Oliver Curtis Perry disturbed the peaceful countryside and entered the ranks of infamy by staging a spectacular train robbery. Perry, only in his mid-20's had already established himself as a public threat, being a convicted felon, and a suspect in a prior train robbery.

Known as a 'ladies man' and for being adept at escaping from law enforcement, Perry's newest adventure contained all the ingredients for an eye catching drama: armed robbery, a wild chase scene, and the ultimate triumph of persistent law enforcement officials. His daring exploits on the morning of February 21, 1892, provided the usually tranquil county of Wayne, a brief moment on the national stage.

Saturday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m., and October 17, at 2, the Wayne County Historical Society will present 'One Train Too Many: The Story of Oliver Curtis Perry.'

The script for the production, written by Andrea Evangelist, will chronicle the exciting, and often bizarre events of Perry's life from 1891 to 1930. The performances are in the second-floor courtroom of the Wayne County Courthouse, on 26 Church Street, a handicapped-accessible location.

Actors for the two-act play are: Pam Walker, Sherry Gibbon, John Gibbon, George Dobbins, Sean Dobbins, Winston Dobbins, John Harris, Jerry Frey, Burt Ford, Bob Mead, Ernie Evangelist, Randy Mitchell, Tom Shear, Jake Emmel, Joel Evangelist, Nancy Frey, Cliff Hunt, Stuart Smart, Bob Schick, Martin Williams, Shirley Ford, Kathy Mater, Jane Kiernan, Stan Herdman, Hugh Mater, Irene Brown, Patty Youngman, Dave Hannan, Bob MacDuffie, Robert Stanton, Mel Years , Bobby Paliotti, Jean Stoep, John Zornow, Bob Bittner, Dave Howard, John Salone, Dick Kleisle, Leslie Mitchell, Jake Bouwens, Charlotte Pitrella, Margaret Jones, Sue Bouwens, Dawn Jendrick, Katherine Kraus, Jimmy Tiberio, Eddie Marriott, Micky Sergent, Pam Hannan, Karen Kehoe, and Matt Killips. Larry Ann Evans directs the production.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $2.50 for children under 12, and may be purchased at the Old Jail Museum on 21 Butternut Street, or Dobbins Drug Store on William Street in Lyons.

Call Andi Evangelist at 946.9340 or Sharon Lubitow at 946.3367.

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