Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-05-26

The undersigned feels himself at length called
upon to make public representation, the citizens
of Mirtinsburg, Of the many acts of wanton and
malignant mischief, which have been committed
upon the property of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road Company, in the vicinity of the town---and
to appeal to the parents and guardians of the yosng
persons who have perpetraied these outrages, to
assist in preventing their repetition. Since the
commencement of the work, nearly three years
since, the officers of the Company have been sub
jected to much occasional annoyance, in the per-
Torrance Of their duties, from the conduct of the
boys Of the town; but as boys are mschevous
every where, this to have been expected, and
would not be noticed, but in connec lion with
the recent occurrences of much more serious
character, to which the attention Of the people is
now called, and which are enumerated as follows:
During the construction of the long Bridge a,
Stephens Mil, the tool house Of the Company was
broken open, and number of valuable articles ta-
ken from it,
Since the completion of the same bridge, soma
persons amused themselves by rolling a large cam
non ball along the floor, by which the covering. Of
the brace rods were considerably damaged.
The locks, and chains by which the cars used by
the contractor in his work, confined have been
several times broken, and the put in motion,
the risk of INJURY themselves and the road ms
well as those who were thus improperly using them.
Frequently, OF late, distractions, such as stones
and timber. have been placed upon the track aud
in more than nstance To the great peril Of the
officers of the Company, passing in cas- upon tie
railway.
o.. Sunday last, the valve Of the wuter tank was
forced OPEN and the water let out to the injury Of
the road and the risk of damage or even explosion.
to the engine requiring the water
Last night, a large AMI heavy eight wheeled car,
loaded with materials for the upper par, Of the
line, started from Rogers Mil, down he grade
towards the town, and after running FOR some dis
lance, came in contact with another car, which
was considerably injured by the shock.
BY now many more mischiefs, the list lust given
will be followed up, it is impossible say, unless
an immediate check is given to the career of these
precocious destructives by the vigilance and deter
minalion of the citizens of the town.
Now it is manifest that such conduct cndangers
the lives limbs, and liberty of the thong BOYS
who are guilty of it, as much, more, than the
persons property Of the Rail Road Company
and its agents. Those interested in the safety of
these young persons, have therefore the strongest
conceivable motives to resttain those under their
care. from engaging in such serious frolics The
Company in doing its duty TO ITSELF and the public
will cooperate with the citizens in preventing fu-
ture mischief, by vigorously enforcing the laws of
the State, which have been passed for its pTotec-
ton, and extracts from which are published below,
for the information Of those no are not aware of
the which the Commonwealth has taken TO
provide, by severe penalties, against the commits
sion of such misdemeanors.
The road is about TO be opened in few days, for
public travel and must become great thorough
fare, to the great benefit it is believed, of this
town. How important is it then, that there should
DO point upon the route, which travellers cannot
pass without the fear OF bodily injury, and yet such
place will Martnsburg be considered, if its young
population not instructed, and kept in the duty
Of re.raning from these recreations, which, how
ever they may acquire for those who practice them
the reputation of spirit and ingenuity, must be
fruitful in what would be called disastrous oeei-
dents were they ;he result of malicious design.
BENZ. II. LATROBE,
Chief Engineer B. g. o. II. Road.
MarIinshuyg, May 90, 1912.