, 1872-12-02
TWO FIENDS.

Track-Ifracnlous Escape from Ter.
rtble Disasters.
From the Hartford {co,,n.) Times, Nou. 27.
The guilty wretch who, on Monday night,
placed heavy obstructions, four times in sue
cession, on the Hartford and Springfield Road,
near Enfield, with intent to throw different
trains off the track, was arrested On Tuesday,
short distance this side Of Springfield. He gave
the name Of Horace Blakeslee, and claimed
xohsd to si'0ns Is in RG9tsn Pfs Fs~ R'' Hs4s Hsy
where be says he vas born. He has also worked
in Springfield He is shout IS years Of age.
His villanous and repeated attempts at the de-
struction Of freight and passenger trains we're
at Warehouse Point. This was on the sunset
train up from this city, which train he e.4tered
in an intoxicated condition, and inclined to be
rude and insulting at Windsor Locks, and re-
fused to pay more than fifteen cents fare. This
payment only took him to Warehouse Point. and
there he was forcibly put of.
His first attempt was on the next train down
the o'clock express train, full Of passengers
going to New York. He placed pile Of heavy
ties across theItrack at q point near the Enfield
bridge, where the road passes along an embank
ment, only few feet from the river. The de-
sign evidently was to throw the train down the
embanlment and into tho Connecticut. Fo,tu-
nately the watchfu1ness OF the engineer, and the
instantaneous operation OF the useful modern
air brake, enabled him to stop the train without
crash.
This wicked attempt was not enough. While
the express train Was waiting to clear the track,
came along, and found second pile Of ties q
short distance north Of this place, and on the
Same track that the express had just passed
over. The scoundrel had gone along and re-
the conductor telegraphed Superintendent
Davidson, in this city, that there we're OBJ
structions on the track, just south OF Thomp-
sonyille. The despatch Was instantly received,
1.L IL F~31 1~A-
sengers, had left the depot here. Mr. David
son instantly telegraphed to Windsor Locks to
stop this train, but it went laundering BY that
station while the Telegram was being received,-
nal. The engine vent on. and hit 3 railroad tie
and post-throwing of the former, and car1y
ing along the latter. It ProHuded on one side,
and caused q peculiar motion, and the engineer
81, s7ackened speed, SO H. that, o. 1n .5 5sacling
form, and threw of the engine and tender, at
distance Of 100 feet from the point Of con-
tact. The strain unloosed q rail- and this threw
off the baggage and drawing:room cars, which
ground. The engineer and fremen remained at
their places, and nobody vas hurt.
A train from Springfield Was promptly sent
down, to take along the passengers in case of
delay.
Tie aisarranged train was adjusted rs soon as
possible, the Springfield train not being used,
and aignal men were sent back down the track
to warn au oucoming freight train from this city.
They met 8 man walking up the track, but said
nothing to him. After passing him they found
third lot Of obstructions on the track. By
their signals they saved the freight train.
4 wrecking train had now started out from
this city, by Mr. Davidson's direction, amply
equipped with men, jackscrews, and tackle, and
headed for the scene. After crossing the Ware
house Point bridge they came upoa nine differ
ent ties; which had been freshly placed across
the track at different places. The rascal meant
to make thorough work Of it, and to have wreck
ed four trains il possible.
The excitement around Ihompsonsille now
became intense. Fortunately for the villain he
WAS not recognized, or he would have been
summarily dealt with. Hard work succeededin
restoring everything to rights, with some delay
Of trains; and then began the hunt for the
rogue.
He was found as shove stated, next day. He
had apparently stopped in ThompsonviHe over
night. Deputy Sheriff Lord OF IhompsonVll!e,
acting with Superintendent Davidson, vas the
party who found him. this side Of Springfield.
He professed to know nothing OF the crime, but
ha hoota hanO taken off and brOuPhE to thn /