Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-03-16

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Exploits of Two Detective oficers--A Pre-
I cious Sooundrel outwitted by Pair or
Peddlers.
Somo tmo ago a dastardly outrage was COM
mitted OH tho Marietta & Ilillsborough Railroad,
whereby tho lives of hundred or more passen-
gors wore jcopardizcd. A portion Of the road
twelve miles from Marietta, Is built Of trostle
work. One night rail was removed. and, as
consequence, tho ongino and tender were thrown
of tho track and down an emhankment dis
tance Of some thirty feet. The engineer fortu-
natcly discovered that rail had been removed in
time to reverse his engine: no stood nt his post,
and as tho engine went over leaped for his life,
proyidcntially landing in quagmire uninjured.
This act of daring saved many livoS; for at the
moment tho reverse brakes were applied, the en-
gine pitched forward leaving the train standing
in safety upon the track. Mr.. Olando Smith, re-
ceiycr of the Company, determined that the per-
son who had deliberately planned this Wholesale
slaughter, whomsoever he might be, should be
icrrctcd out and brought to Justice. tio nccor
dinghy secured tho services of detectives VIM.
Rcany and Larry lIazen. of tho Independent Po'
lice. to undertake tho task. They agreed to do
their best, but Ind before them most unpromis-
ing Job. Suspicion rested upon no one and turn
who're they would thore did not develop itself tho
smallest possible clue by which their actions could
DO governed. >.
y
themselves rs book peddlers, aud pass over tho
entire county roundabout whore the not was COM
mitcd, and solicit subscribers for popular heb
domelal hoping by this means to effect somo
luophole through which thcy could crawl to q sue.
cessu result
They first proceeded to Vincent Station, apoint
two niles west of where tho rail was ripped up,
and there commenced canvassng for subscribers.
meeting with such good fortune in obtaining
names, that llnzcn proposed to Reany in u joou.
lar manner that they should give up tboir osten-
siLlo purpose for the adopted ono, as tho latter
seemed the most lucrative avenue.
For four. five and six days they continued their
rorpatetic wandorngs. soliciting namesand con-
vessiug with tho farmers. concerning the accident
Every ono had heard Of 1t, and all were familiar
with the particulars, but none seemed TO know
person that would DO guilty Of such m act. But
il is u long lanc that hns no turn, thought the
peddlers and for two days moro they continued
the search, and finally in n moment unexpected
they overheard n sly remark that one Meeks owed
the company grudgc and was mean enough to
do anything for revenge. Dying mon never catch
ed Mt strnws moro frantically than did our two
lcldlers clutch at this ntelligence; deep in their
bosnms wns it buried lest somo adverse wind
should blow it out of reach, or some evil fate filch
it from their possession. To allay suspicion they
waited IA day before calling on the suspected per-
SON They then marched directly to his house,
md had tho good fortune to fnd him ut home.--
Prospectus after prospectus was spread before
the nstonished vision OF Meeks and Rcnny, gab-
blod with such unceasing garrulty, and was 80
extremely polite. especially to the wife nnd ba-
bles, that nothing was mistrusted concerning their
true occupations.
Mccks. after being much prevailed upon, final
ly said that he would gladly become subscriber
To the work, but did not have the money. The
Railroad Company was in his debt, and AS 1t had
been sold out, he was afraid that his claim would
be sold out too but. said he, striking table with
his clcnehed fist the force of which ratified ON to
the loor an earthonware pitcher and three tum
bers, IN get even with em." Here was point
at ouce and by delicate maneuverng, and dex-
tcrons management of their tongues, tho pcddlers
led the unsuspccting farmer on until he had not
only acknowledged having made tho above at
tempt, hut threatened another at no very distant
dnv llc said the officers of the road had sent out
some men to try and discover who had done the
deed But" continued lie, chuckling Mt his ap.
parent safely II mn ieetie too sharp tor them
The conversation between the trio wns kept up for
somc time. and not being able IN make any kind
oi trade, ut the instance Of Meeks the peddlers
went out into the yard for the purpose OF looking
Ut n colt, which Moeks said be would sell them,
and take as part payment thereof two copies Of
their paper, the "London Art Journal
The scene in the barn yard was indescribab'y lun-
ny. One of the peldiors mounted the spirited
Bucephalus, and being unused to bit aud bride.
the animal cavorted in manner that landed his
rider in neighboring field and then pranced
about in true menage style. requiring the most dill
igcnt exertions on tho part of tho other two TO
keep from within rca III of his heels.
1t was agreed to purchase the horse, and llagcn
told Mecks to deliver it TO them Mt Marietta tho
next day, but this Mecks refused, saying that he
wished not to visit Mnrietta; they then arranged
to have the animal delivered Mt Vincent Station.
where the nnsuspecting Moeks came the following
morning.
When tho officers disclosed who they were,
Meeks made IL desperate lunge to pass through
the window, but he was seized by llazen, and be-
fore two words could be spoken, his wrists were
bound by pair of hondcuffs he was then placed
upon a hand chr and removed to the Marietta Jail.
When tho pedders:.bad thrown of their masks
and assumed their true faces and characters there
was great stir in the village. One old lady, u
relative of Meeks, approached Reany. and said
You naughty man, you yilc nasty fellow, amt
you ashamed OF yourself, to 20 around the country
deceyng people with such nlonstrous lies, steal.
ing into our houses with honey on your lips. to
spy into private affairs. whilo We extend you
kind welcome. Why, continued the old lady, her
face fairly infaming with rage, If my son John,
who has been constable of this town for three
years, should be guilty Of such mean, contemp-
tible. despicablo trick, would disown him.
Thank God concluded she, fetching long drawn
sigh and relapsing suddenly, no such villainy ex-
lists among the members Of my family. Reany
tried to explain matters and molify the woman's
wrath, bat his efforts to pour water upon the
troubled waters only made them boil the worse,
and he wisely left her to think of matters as she
might.
Mecks has boen examined, and was required to
give bail in the of one thousand dollars to
answer tho charge before the Court Of Common
Pleas.