The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-02
THE RAILROAD FIGHT IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Two Wooden Bridges Burned-Rumors
of a Collision with Bl0Odshcd Between
the Rival Parties.
PTTTsBURG, Penn, May 1, 1s'


PTTsBURG, Penn, May 1, 1879
Last night, at late hour, Superintendent Pit.
cairn, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, reached
Broadford the scene OF the difficulty between that
road and the Connelsville Railroad, With an addi
tiona force OF men, but found the pr ogress OF resto-
ration by the latter company OF their track already
frustrated by the burning OF two bridges. He, with
his men returned during the night. Squads of men
were posted along the track in the vicinity of the
vexed switch, to sound an alarm in case another
attempt would be made to make the
connection. However, the night passed without
the appearance at the scene OF any considerable
force of the Connellsvle men, and up TO this hour
no further demonstration has been made. The
most exciting rumors prevailed last night in re-
gard to the doings OF the rival railroads. and it is
currently reported that a collision had occurred
between the forces, and that there has been blood
shed. An investigation to-day shows the follow
ing to be the true state of the case The man.
ayers Of this branch Of the Baltimore and
Washington Railroad have been greatly exer.
cised over the severing OF the connection of
the Connellsville Railroad from the Mount
Pleasant branch some weeks ago by the Pc nnsyl-
vania Railroad, and especially as the business
interests OF their patrons and OF themselves were
suffering They accordingly determined to repossess
themselves Of the branch, ana with this end IN
view they secured large squad OF workmen 10 re-
lay the track that had been torn up near Broadford
The telegraph wires at Tinsley's Station, on the
line Of the Southwestern Railroad were cut, and
laborers went to work with will, and by yester-
day evening mad almost completed theswork. They
were assisted by the locomotives of the Connes-
Vile Ra ilr oad and everything working was so ex-
pcdtiously that they hoped to complete connection
before nightfal Suddenly large force,
aGfm tt,o
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad, made
their appearance. The new corners were
quite belligerent in their demonstration, but
in this respect were not ahead OF the party OF the
opposite side, and serious collision was appre-
hended. The Pennsylvania Railroad men first upset
two casks OF coal oil which stood up on two small
geny and Aired the same, and both bridges were
burned. An engine OF the Connellsvle Railroad
standing upon one branch Of the Youghiogeny, was
run on to the main track to prevent its destruc-
tion The men employed by the Connellsville
Company had positive Instructions to. desist
they ceased operations Immediately on al.
pearance OF the rival force. This movement
on the part OF the Pennsylvania party gave them
the victory, and the connection with the Connels-
| vile road was again broken. There were mani
iestatons differences on both sides, and handto-
hand encounter asS seemed imminent but the bel
| bat that must entail loss OF life. With the view
to prevent any further interference with their
rights bill In equity has been fled in the Office Of
| the prothonotary Of the Supreme Court on behalf
| OF the Pttsburg and Connelsville Railroad Com
pany etaL After citing various acts OF Assembly by
| which the Mount Pleasant and Bradford Railroad
Company was incorporated, and the fact that the
plaintlns have been duly constituted stockholders
! by payment OF certain sums OF money for shares,
&c, the bill proceeds to give In detail the history OF
the recent war that Is alleged to have been forced
| upon their road by onlcers and directors OF the
| Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company The
latter in the extension OF It's road from reensburg,
westmoreand county required to cross the read
OF defendants as Fountain Mills, and 1t is alleged
that without giving any notice Of their intentions
they proceeded by force with large gang of men
to tear up the switch OF the plantifYs' road and
| put down their 0wn track, and this course, II rs
averred, has been pursued ever since, until plain
TINS road has been completely taken possession
OF against their will. influence IL Is alleged was
brought to bear on the directors OF the Mount
Pleasant and Broadford Railroad, by which they
were induced to violate their obligations to their
| own company and unite In conspiracy with d.
rectors OF the Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad
Company to defraud plaintiffs out OF possession
| and use OF their road. The Court was asked TO re-
| strain defendants from further proceedings until
an equitable settlement Of the matter can be ar
/ rived at through judicial investigation, asserting
their fears that if this Ia not done there will yet be
serious breach OF the peace and loss OF life and
| property.