Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-09-07
The Hob Nailed Boots.



Many years ago. when Western rail
road travelling was not the safest in
the world, and when all moneys due
from the East IN payment for West ern
produce had TO be sent in cash by the
mails, there occurred not far from
Ihicago each time. several accidents
IN consequence of trains being thrown
OF the track. during which the mail
cars were broken open and the bags
robbed TO very large amount. These
accidents happened within six miles of
the Golden City" ani was caused by
the Michigan Southern running into
the Illinois Central mail train. if
remember rightly. striking il at right
angle, and not only cutting it into to
parts, bu, making a complete wreck OF
both trains.
The loss in every way was large.
and the conductor and engineer were
Killed on the spot-thc former living
with his face upwards close 10 the
mail train-which it was afterwards
discovered had been torn open and the
gold and silver II contained carried or
Mr.. Pinkerton, the grca, Western de-
teciive, who was then beginning one of
the most remarkable anu successful
careers known 10 police history. VA,
sent for 10 investigate the robbery.
and he discovered on the face Of the
dead conductor OF the train the imprint
OF nail head, such as was usually
worn by English laborcrs IN the soles
OF their heavy boots. he then exam
incd the ground. and was lucky enough
10 hnd a complete imprint of the sole
OF the left boot. containing double
row OF nails, all OF which were alike on
the conductors face. He made also
another important discovery - that
there Serc three nails wanting in the
impress on the earth, showing that
three must also be wanting on the sole
Of the boot that made IL.
Mr.. PInkerton's theory SO far was
this-that the robber was in 50 grea,
hurry 10 force open the mail car that
he set his left foot upon the face of the
dead man without knowing it. and
thinking, no doubt, that it rested upon
the earth and that one of the nails
"hob-nails" he called them-having
started from the leather, was more
prominent than the rest, and 50 left
its mark behind it and with il se-
cret clue for the detective. Unfortu-
nately, before Pinkerton came on the
ground, there mad been SO many peo-
nj ..ts he. 4, 4.
down hard in the neighborhood Of the
calamity, and he had no chance of
tracing the hob-nailed boot, and dis
covering its owner.
lie had made some important dis
coveries, however, during this diff
cult investigation. lie had found out
that the robber, whoever he was, wore
boots nailed with hob nails in a pecu-
liar form round the soles, with three
missing and that the boots were Of
English make, and the wearer of them,
therefore, was probably an English
man, and that the lett boot had made
the impression on the face OF the dead
conductor and on the ground. This
was all the clue that he had to the
robber; but meagre rs it was he did
dispair Of hunting down his quarry.
He did not believe however, that the
collision of the trains was purposely
caused, but that it was an accident,
and that the robbery was sudden evil
inspiration on the part vi the robber.
Eighteen months passed away, and
Pinkerten, although always more or
less on the watch, had well-nigh for
gotten the hob-nailed boots, when one
fine morning he received a telegraphlc
despatch which summoned Lin 10 an
other accident, within twelve miles Of
the city Of Chicago. On his arrival
be found a great concourse of persons,
officers, men and passengers about the
wreck, and he Immediately ordered
rope TO be played out and guarded by
the company's servants, while he made
an examination of the ground, and a
search for the hob-nailed boots, if, by
any chance, they might figure upon
this scene also He first examined the
locality where the obstruction was
placed that overthrow the train, and TO
his great joy and surprise there was
the old boot mark with the many hob
nails and full impression also of the
right boot.
OF course he said nothing, but be-
gan to make detOurs in all directions
TO see if he could pick up the retreat.
ing trail. He thought it most likely
the man would 60 boldly towards the
village after he had laid his trap, and
SO he fastened on till he came to uit
of grass leading to the main road on
the heights above. Here be stumbled
upon the foot mark once more, and
proceeding right and left upon line
with this discovery, he found the ad-
vancing foot too. The grass, however,
threw him off all further trail, but he
had proved that the same man who
had a hand in the previous robbery
had planned the present disaster also
and better still, that he came from and
returned to the village Owing to some
accident elsewhere, this train was late
by several hours. 1t was an early
morning train, and the desiga was
clearly to throw it of the lines and rob
the mails, but il WAS defeated.
Mr.. Pinkeston remained privately
in the village, putting up at the chief
hotel and passing for salesman Of dry