The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-01
Six Men enter into written Agree
ment 20 Wreck md Rob Pay Train
on the Jeacrsonville Railrond-Ar-
rest Of Four OF the ConApirnlors.


rest OF Four OF the Conspirators.
one Of the most horrible conspiracies that
we have ever heard Of, had Its dsnouement
yesterday. Some ten days ago six men, two
of whom we do not moution for tho reason
that they have not boon arrested, the other
four named Hughes, Kinney, Buck, and
Durkett, and a seventh named Collier, en-
tered into written conspiracy to wreck and
rob the pay traiu on the JeHersonville rail.
road.
The particulars Of this conspiracy, as near
as we can gather them, are about as follows:
A written agreement was drawn up, setting
forth the plan Of the robbery This plan con-
tenplated the throwing Of the pay train fro IN
the track at point near Slate Cat, some ten
miles out from Jacksonville, the murder, II
necessary, Of all those upon the train, and the
robbery of the paymsster's safe Of its contents,
which 1t was thought would DO from twenty
five to thirty thousand dollars.
The article Of agreement Was Of the most
terrible character. It bound each conspirattr
to commit murder as we'll as robbery. 1t also
stipulated that II any Of the conspirators were
wounded Ia the affair so as TO DO unable to
get away, his companions wero to kill him
and thus put 1t out Of his power to inform
against them. 1t was further agreed how the
money was to be divided, the share Of each
being specified.
Aho uAih was " W tuTO"u ITO" TRACK
by removing or loosening one or more Of the
rails. 1t was also agreed that II there were
moro than the usual number Of persons with
the train that the oonspira.ors were to FIRE
upon and kill them just as the train was reach
ing the place where 1t was to be wrecked.
The details Of the whole affair were set forth
in the most concise and distinot manner.
The seventh oonspirator mentioned above,
Collier, itseems, became frigl tened at the emo.
.,.sN rrn f tha -. ~
formation OF tho conspiracy to the. superin-
tendent Of tho road, Horace Scott, Esq. Itwts
at once determined TO send out the pay train
on the usual day, and to add to It a baggage
car, In which several we'll armed and cOura.
geous mon were to DO placed, prepared and
instructed to shoot down tho conspirators at
sight
Bdrk.tt, one Of tho conspirators, was n
brakeman on the train, and when tho baggage
car was hitched on Monday night he became
alarmed, and Immediately informed his CO. con
spirators what had been DONE and they fear.
ing that they would be over. matched in nun
bers abandoned the conspiracy. 1t is proper
to say that tho conspirators had solemnly
sworn to kill any Of their number who might
betray the plot. Fortunately the human ma.
ture Of one Of them reyolted at the horror;
he gavo information Of the plot, and q whole,
sale murder and robbery was thus prevented.
eiuuy ofopoVh, hueh's NWuose parents
are very respectable and live at BsdtordJ,
Kinney, Back, Burkett and Collier were ar.
rested at JefIersonville-th latter 10 be held
as n witness The officers were after the
othor two, and they wore probably arrested
Last night.
Altogether, this is ono of the most horrible
conspiracies we have ever heard of The place
selected for the accomplishment of the bloody
designs Of tho fends was u retired locality,
vol suited to the purposes of the bloody vii,
lHins. We do uot know what punishment the
law awards to such crime, but il ever there
was an instance in which the death penult,
was just, 1t certainly is in this one. AL the
mon engaged in the conspiracy, except two,
have been, or were until yesterday, in the
employ of the company -New AHany Com.
arcrci0t.