The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-01
Miscellany.
Iron Chambers's journal.

Iron CAamberss Journal
1 am a Police Superintendent in large
iron-Inaking town, and for upwards of twenty
years have had the care of a populous coery
district. The peculiar avocations OF the peo-
pie supply ample disguise for criminals in hid
ing Who would look for runaway clerk in
the black face and coal-stained garments of
collier? 1t may be assumed, therefore that
many strange incident has come under my
notice in the course of so long service
One in particular remember well, as prac-
tlcally illustrating a remark made in the
Times on the conviction of Muller, that
crimes OF conspicuous character are gener-
ally committed by class that is least suspect
ed. was called one evening 10 quell dis
turbance between several golfers and party
OF Hishmen. The golfers, it appears mad
dened by drink, had assailed the latter, driven
them into dwelling, and would speedily have
killed one or more, but for the opportune ar
rival of the police. The night afterwards. |
received note from the authorities that
coal-train had been thrown off the line by
some miscreant or other, who had placed
sleepers along the rails. Knowing that COL
Tiers working at distance invariably returned
by the trains, and remembering the struggle
Of the night before, at once concluded this
10 De an attempt at Irish revenge, and pur-
sued my investigations accordingly
A few nights alter, another coal-train was
thrown oil the rails, as in the former case,
however, without harm to men; but this sec
oiiu attempt spurred me ON SO that certain
suspected persons were speedily in custody
But | soon found that these were not my
men" Its useless for me to expatate on the
unerrIng signs by which innocence invariably
asserts ITSELF The Irishmen were violent in
their cups, but most certainly incapable of the
atrocious act OF which they were accused.
scarcely had week passed when the whole
nelShborhood was thrilled with horror. AT
distance OF twelve miles from the town where
live, there was another town to which our
trddesmen resorted in numbers every Wedl,es-
day to market. In the evening, the last train
as usual, bore its numerous passengers to
their homes. 1t was summertime and mer-
rily they dashed along the rugged bank of a
mountain-river, winding in amongst the hills,
But soon the picture was changed; turning
curve IN null career the engine left the rails,
and cutting deeply into the embarrassment, roll
ed on ITS side, fortunately having continued
Just sufficient time in progress to break the
shock OF the carriages. There was an awful
cry OF lamentatlon, a wild medley, a hurried
scene: men and women seeking to Chamber
through the opening above the locked doors,
100 intent on personal safety to think OF any
thlng else. Most were bruised and all We're
frightened. While messengers were despatch
ed for the nearest station, Others searched
along the route for the cause OF the mishap.-
IL was soon found. The scene OF the ACCIDENT
was curve, and the rail nearest the river had
been iolclbly removed The mIscreant-.or
II was soon seen that Villains hand had been
there-had fortunately been ignorant of me-
chanlcs. He had taken up the rail by the ra-
Vine-ior have omitted to mention that
there was steep precipice at this point-and
naturally thought that the train with It's load |
othuman lie would have tumbled over. The |
IN ngIy Al, a. s
the engine simply ploughed along towards the
scarp OF the mountain.
When the details of this lucky escape
reached me, felt that my reputation was at
stake ms was evidently Number Three of
the diabolcal attempts OF the same hand
The hrst inquiry made was Who drove the
tralnF and one or two questions OF similar
CHARACTER put me III possession of this mpor-
tant tact, that the driver OF the train and che
driver OF the coal-engine trains at the time
the trucks were thrown of, was one and the
same person.
NOW, then, for the driver said I. and
marched TO his lodgings. | found him qui-
et, inoHensiVe sort OF young fellow, not like
~ man TO have malignant enemy He 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 sub |
Ject OF the accident, but found he was quite |
at sea as 10 the cause.
itave you an enemy said /, .'or any one |
who entertains malice against you?'
No; be thought not.
lou are unmarried, / believer
Yes; he was.
Touring, perhaps?' suggested
lie confessed to the soft impeachment.
Have you any objection TO tell me who the
lady is?' inquired / for we police officers !
are sometimes obliged to override delicate
scrupies.
lie mentioned the name OF Young wo-
man residing at farmhouse six mics down
the valley, and Within half mile OF the scene
Oh the accident. L drew a long breath but
Kept my own counsel
"Oh, 50 the damsel lives there, does she p
Now has she any other sweethearts besides |
yoursell?'
lie thought there had been one-a carmen
ter; put qaoth the driver, complacently
smoothing an incipient heard: 'She has no
lover now bat me-
Where does this carpenter liye?a
About half mile from Lie farm he an
swered; and with that / LETT. fully satisfied
now that was on the trail
The morning after, and at the scene of thu.
accident, had found large thick stake. cvL
eVidehtly nom The adjoining wood. This Fad
Deen USED TO pry up the rail from the slice ner
Examining it infinitely saw that it had been
cut recently, and that with notchel knife.
30, Win This idea uppelmost, l started on
INC mission, and alter pleasant drive reach
ed tue little hamlet where the carpenter lived
ne district was very mountainous and rug
geo ana as L mounted the winding road to- |
wards the house, could hear tie monotone |
OF Inc river near which so narrow an escane
had taken place. Ionder was the scene. Was |
the Criminal helep The door was soon OMEN /
ed 70 my knock, and by the carpehter himself, |
cool, self-posscssed young man, who seemed |
ar. al ~,
what wanted, without the change of a mus |
Gle. entered into his little room, and fold |
nun 1 hau suspicion he could eniighten me |
on the cause OF The railway accident
NO. he couldn't; he heard OF it, like the
rest,
Would be allow me to search him?
certainly and forthwith various articles !
were IN my hand. On bis person | tound two
pocket KNIVES, each Of which would have /
, selyeu 10 cur tle stake AS paEsed mo- !
inent and held them in my hand. he needless
y observed "That knife" pointing to onel
4 only put into my pocket this mopairq q. as i
generally keep it at h0me.r | onaned the |
knife, Ihe blade was notched; and looking
up from the article to the carpenter, CAUGHT
his eye. We knew one ano hers thought in |
an instant; but he accompanied me TRANQUILITY
enough to the town. At the trial the knife
figured ID evidence various corroboratino
matter satisfied the jury OF his guilt: he was
tonnf guilty, and sentenced to seven years
transportation. Ittufned out afterwards that
he loved the farm girl, and was melted by
jealousy to the act which so nearly caused such
frlghtlul accident. For all know. the driv-
er still dwelIs in single bessedness, tor the
maid is still maid, as rosy-cheeked as ever.
and, it is said, is waiting for the eApe nters
return
PRACTICAL JoKING.-We had no idea they
had such wags away up in Wisconsin. The foi,
lowing anecdote we pick up as an astr,,y:
Joe and Commodore Rodgers, brother black
smiths, in Whitewater Wis, have a great rem
utation for being practical jolxers Last sum
mer Joe bought an old fashioned churn for the
purpose Of manufacturing their own butter:
and as the Commodore was a widower, and
lived With Hoe oil oh 1..-' ~