The sun., 1872-03-27
4 rnKorrLE-rALrL TANIAc.
= Newburgh Boy'' Ruiin- Passion Josep'
Wheetcr'a Mad Freaks -- iinHutinu IL

a Fewburgh Roy'e Ruiiu3 Passion Joseph
Wheeter'a Mad Freaks - iinnufinp the
Round IIou-c aud stealing Locomotives.
Corr rCspOndcnce of The sun.
NEwBURCn, March 2G-Josoph wheeler,
who was recently arrested for malicious mis-
chief in cutting some Erie palace car cushions
in Jersey CITY, IL native of this city, and Is
about twcnty-thrcc years Of aye. His mad ez-
ploits would constitute an eycntful chapter
Wheeler is one of large family. His father *
a pattern maker. and through his influence the
son was plnccd In the Washington Iron Works to
Innrn tho fnnchinist trade. This he managed to
stick 10 for some time, but he always manifested
u strong dcsirc to become rallroadcr. Finally
he left the iron works and FOR months ne ran
upon the Ncwhurgh branch trains ~ th" Erie
without salary, hoping that some vacancy would
occur that he might he regularly cmployed.
Wmlc ON these trains he performed thc duties
Of hrakemnn and htcnan rrntuitnusy SunSc-
uucntly he obtained the position OF extra hre-
man ON the Eastern division from Fort JerVls ="
Jcrsey CITY. This he held Tor hort time nsk-
ING hfs home here In Newburch with his father
aud mother. II was when on visit hone thNt
he committed the dreadful act Of running OUT
am engine ON the main road uf the Ncwuurgh
branch In the face of the incoming trains ltis
mission for becoming a railroad engineer t0irlN
ran away with his good sense. Many cuniccturcd
that he was Insane, but the real cau-t pl tlr act
wns rum and an lndclible wish to make of him
self railroad engineer. .
Constantly and continually would he loiter
around engines. the round house. and nc ,r3in =
when an engineer or fireman, or whoever had
Temporary charge Of an engine, would ALLOW MN
tO pull open the throttle valve. blow the whistle
throw over the reverse lever, or perform any
little act about the engine.
In a state of intoNica'ton one night and when
everything was quiet about the round house.
depot tracks and depot, and when every coal
train had started on its outward journey, young
Wheeler quietly and ClandcstineV opened q
switch. hOppCd uDon switch engine ~, fred her
M. and then run her over the branch with light
ming lapidity as FAR ds .hingtunNilo' u niiies
from NPwburgh Whether IL was the approach OF
loaded coal train, ur the giving out uf the en-
zinc water and the exhaustion Of her steam
that made him abandon her. Il not known. At
heels across the Colds. leaving the engine stand
INK the main track and directly In the face ol
the approaching coal train. As good luck would
have II the head light % ~ wHs burning, and
Engineer Sccly ~ the coal train. an old and
watchful engineer, coming down the Grade and
around a curve, observed the light called for
brakes and lad his train stopped WITHIN q lew
feet OF the stolen cn-iue. HAD not Mr.. Seely oh
served the liLht. a terrible accident would have
| happened.
Mi. Seok Jumped upon the engine. gagged her
| water and found she hSl nome. \ largo wood
| fire was burning in the furnace. To save The
boiler he Immediately drew the fire. Iir then
| opened the switch ~ the Mu-ifinciuuNlilc sta
| tion, placed the stolen engine upon the side
| track, and pruceede To Ncwbuigh with his
train.
rested and confined I'D thc county Jail In this
| city for several months. lie was finally released.
| whether because nothing could bc proven
AGAINST him. or because the Eric Company
know not. During his confinement and after
| hiS release lac repeatedly swore that he would
have revenge for the treatment he had received.
without giving the Eric follts considerable
trouble In watching their engines and Wheeler 8
movements. lie has not becn seen here since.