Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-11-19

BOLD ATTENPT AT ARsOS-ARREsT OF THE
IScKNDIARY-TwO OTHER PERSONS ARRESTED
ON SUSPICION OF CoMPICITY.-It Will be re-
collected that about five weeks since we re.
ported destructive fire in the locomotive
shop of the Cleveland and Pittsburg Rail
road, at Manchester, by which the wood
work of ten locomotives was burned, and
other damage done to the property of the
Company. It was then supposed that the
building had been fired maliciously, and,
fearing that an attempt would be made to
destroy the extensive machine and repairing
shops, the officers of the Company instituted
and have kept strict watch. This vigil
anee was induced, also, by the Observance Of
suspicious characters lettering about the bo-
rough after night, and increased by an un-
successful attempt to fire the extensive block
of buildings occupied by Messrs. Phelps,
Parks & Co., and Messrs. Hall & Spe9r. So
apprehensive had the officers of the Compa-
ny become, that they engaged officer II. NJ.
Haekett, of Ravenna, to watch their proper
ty. Officer Hackett went to Manchester, and,
assuming the name of " Bob Scott" from
Louisville, KY, and representing that he
lived by his wit, he succeeded in ingratiating
himself into the confidence of the class he
suspected. He went to Pittsburg, in COM
pany with one Mcconnell, a former employe
of the Company, who had been discharged
on suspicion of committing certain thefts,
and was his everyday companion, oven lodg-
ing with him. In this way he became
confident Of Mcconnell, and was made ac-
quainted with many of his designs. He as
certained from him that it was intended to
set fire to the machine shop of the C. & P.
Company, and that it would be done at an
early day. The watchmen of the Company
at Manchester were informed of this. On
Thursday and Friday nights of last week,
close watch was kept. About o'clock Fri
day evening the watchmen were attracted by
a noise, and quietly awaited the result. In
a short time they became convinced that
some person was in the carpenter shop, and
one of the watchmen entered it. HIS atten-
ton was soon directed to light near the
stationary engine-the incendiary had just
lighted match, and had actually fred some
shavi-se, 1rbor, tlao watchmau pouneed npon-
his back and caught him by the throat. He
Immediately exclaimed, go! God Pm
done for. Itwas bad company that persuad-
ed me to do this p Officer Richardson took
charge Of the prisoner, who proved to be the
Mcconnell referred to.
Recently, it was found necessary to dis
miss two employees of the company, Geo.
MoOrs, an engineer, and Jas. Rooney,
a watchman at Manchester. Since
the discharge ofthese men, and prior to the
attempt on the machine shops, the assistant
superintendent of the Road, located at Man
chester, received an anonymous letter, threat
ening the company with further injury unless
two persons in the employ of the compa-
ny were at once discharged. Upon compa-
ring the writing in this letter with the sigma
lures of Geo. MoOrs on the pay roll, they
were found to be in the same hand writing.
The attempt on the machine shop aroused
the suspicion of the officers Of the company
against MOors and Rooney, and steps were
Immediately taken for their arrest. Accord
ingly, on Saturday afternoon, these men
were arrested and lodged in the Allegheny
City Jail, to await an examination.
The activity and good judgment of officer
Hackett in ferreting out the designs and Sc
curing the arrest of these parties, are deserv-
ing great credit.