The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-25
On the Trail.

for a runaway clerk in the black face and
coal-stained garments Of collier, or in the
guise Of laborer in the iron shed' tmay
be assumed, therefore, that many strange
incident has come under my notice in the
course of so long service, and some Of
these ! may occasionally present to the
public. One in particular remember well,
as practically illustrating remark made
in the Times on the conviction of Muller,
that crimes of conspicuous character are
generally committed by the class that is
least suspected. was called one evening
to quell disturbance between several
golfers and party of Irishmen. The col
Tiers, it appears, maddcncd with drink, had
asSailcd the latter, driven them into
dwelling, and would have killed one or
more but for the opportunc arrival of the
police. The night afterwards | received
note from the railway authorities that
coal train had been thrown off the line by
some miscreant or other, who had placed
slcepers along the rails. Knowing that
golfers working at distance invariably
return by these trains, and remembering
the struggle of the night before, | at once
concluded this to be an attempt at Irish
revenge, and pursued my investigations
accordingly. .s..
a few nights after, another coal-train
was thrown off the rails; as in the former
case, however, without harm to the men;
but this second attempt spurred me on, so
that certain suspected persons were speed
lily in custody. But soon found that these
were not "my men," 1t is useless for me
to expatiate on the unerring signs by which
innocence invariably asserts itself. The
IriShmen were violent men in their cups,
but most certainly incapable of the afro
cious act of which they were accused.
Scarcely had a week passed when the
whole neighborhood was thrilled with nor
ror. At distance of twelve miles from
the town where lived there was another
town, to which our tradcSmcn reSorted In
numbers every Wednesday TO market. In
the evening, the last train, as usual, bore its
numerous passengers TO their homes. TWAS
summer time, and .merrily they dashed
along the rugged bank Of mountain river,
winding in amongstthe hills. But soon the
picture was changed turning curve in full
career, the engine left the rails, and cutting
deeply into the embaDkmcnt, rolled on its
side, fortunately having continued just
sufficient time in progress to break the
shock Of the carriages. There was an
awful cry of lamentation, wild medley, a
hurried scene men and women seeking to
Chamber through the opening above the
locked doors, too intent on personal safety
to think Of anything else. Most were
bruised and. all were frightened. While
messengers were dispatched to the nearest
station, others searched along the route for
the cause of the mishap. 1t was soon
found. The scene of the accident was
curve, and the rail nearest to the river had
been forcibly removed. The miScreant-
for it was soon seen that villains hand
had been thcre-had fortunately been igno-
rant of mechanics. He had taken up all
the rail by the ravine-for | have omitted
to mention that there was a steep preci-
pice at this point-and naturally thought
that the train, with its load of human life,
would have tumblcd over. The rail next
the river was the "saie " one, and so the
engine simply plowed along towards the
scrap Of the mountain.
When the details Of this lucky escape
reached me, felt that my reputation was
at stake. This was evidently No. Three
of the diabolical attempts of the same
hand. The first inquiry made was, Who
drove the train And one or two questions
of a similar character put me in possession
Of this important fact, that the driver OF
the train and the driver Of the coal-cnglne
trains at the time the trucks were thrown
off was one and the same person. Now,
then, for the driver" said /, and marched
TO his lodgings. ! found him il quiet, in
offensive sort of young fellow, not likely
man 10 have a malignant enemy. lie was
unmarried, and somewhat fresh to his
duties on the line, not having been in the
position very long. We at once touched
on the subject of the accident, but ! found
he was quite at sea as to the cause.
"Hayc you an enemy" said !, cor any
one who cntcrtains any malice against
your
No; he thought not.
"Iou are unmarried, lbelleve I!
Yes; he was.
Occurring, perhaps?" suggested.
He confessed to the soft impeachment.
"Havc any objection to tell me who the
lady is ?" inquired |, for we police officers
are sometimes obliged TO override delicate
-rupleS. He mentioned the name of
,uung woman residing at a farm house six
miles down the valley, and within half
mile of the scene of the accident. | drew
q long breath, but kept my own counsel.
90, so the damsel lives there, does she
Now, has she any other sweetheart besides
yourself !"
He thought there had been one, car
penter; but, quoth the diver complacently,
smoothing an incipient beard: She has
no lover now but me-"
"Where docs this carpenter live p
"About half mile from the farm" he
answered; and with that | left, fully salts
fed that was on the trail.
The morning after, and at the scene of
the accident, had found a large thick
stake, cut evidently from the adjoining
wood. This had been used TO pry up the
rail from the sleeper. Examining II
infinitely, saw that it had been cut re-
Gently, and that with a nOtehed knife.
So, with this idea uppermost, | started
on the mission, and after pleasant drive
reached the little hamlet where the car
penter lived. The district was very noun
famous and rugged and as mounted the
winding road towards the house, could
see the monotone of the river near which
so narrow an escape had taken place.
Wonder was the scene. Was the criminal
here? The door was soon opened to my
knock, and by the carpenter himself, cool,
selfpossessed young man, who seemed 10
read nv errand in 4 moment, yet asked me
what | wanted without the change OF
muscle. | entered into his little room, and
told him | had suspicion he could en-
liqhten me on the cause. Of the railway &C
cident.
.,.,Jn,t. ba had heard of it,