The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-30
ANOTHER RAILROAD FIGHT
King Tom Scott vs.. Monopoly
Prince Garrett.
The Pennsylvania Central Beats
the Baltimore and Ohio.
Physical Force and Destruction of
Property Threatened.


Two ''mighty corporations" the Pennsylvania
Central and the Baltimore and Ohio are at war,
and an engagement in which bloOdshed is likely to
result is momentarily apprehended. 1t appears that
a short time ago an attempt made by the South
western Railroad to effect connection with
the Mount Pleasant branch OF the Connellsvi'le
Railroad at Fountain Mills, o small station
between Bradford and Mount Pleasant. The South
western, which is but the Pennsylvania Central,
completed its track to Fountain Mills, and desired
to make the connection; but this was not agreea-
BILE to the COnnellsvile Company, which Is the Bal
timOre and Ohio. Accordingly the latter corpora
ton massed large force of men at the Mills and
checkmated the operations Of the Southwestern
Company. Finding that it was impossible
to carry their point, the latter company ran their
track across the Mount Pleasant branch down
to the terminus. But though the Southwestern
Company were worsted in this encounter they
were not defeated, and kept a sharp look out on
the C0nnelsville company, in ORDER If possible to
catch the latter OF guard.
Yesterday A. o. Linsman, President OF the Brad
ford and Mount Pleasant road, issued an order to
the effect that the Connellsvie Railroad had for
feited all right to their road and that the directors
would, therefore, take possession OF and run it to
Bradford. The issuing OF this order raised great
excitement, 1t at that point that the act had
been consummated which transferred whole line
OF road from the possession OF the Connel sville
Company.
Tom Scott arrived on Thursday and went down
on the Southwestern road rom Greensburg, and
the initiated knew that movement of some kind
was in contemplation, and accordingly we're on
the Q,i Uiye for developments. The ConneIlsville
Company, strange to say, were unaware that d.
rect movement was Intended and took no precau.
lions to concentrate men enough on their leased
road to protect their interests. About two years
ago the PittsDurg, Washington and Baltimore Com
pany leased from the owners Of the Mount Pleasant
road that concern for ninety-nine years. This gives
the Connellsvllle Company connection with the
Mount Pleasant and Central and control OF the ex-
tsnsve freight business of that region. The terms of
the were, effect that the essees of the road
were to pay to the owner OF the Mount Pleasant
branch six per cent per annum on the stock, and
the Connellsville people were to have exclusive
control at these terms. The owners OF the
road were Israel Painter, the OverhOts and A. o.
Tinsman, the latter being manager and controlling
the greater part OF the stock, and consequently,
the road These gentlemen are well known CAPT.
talists of this section OF the country, and the
Pennsylvania road had an eye on this territory,
and controlling, as 1t does, the Southwestern,
naturally its interests were Identical with those OF
the latter corporation.
private understanding had been arrived at be-
tween Tnsman and the magnatcs of the ''BIg Cor
poratiOn - line OF action was agreed upon. The
Southwestern, under the plea that they
had not received cent of the interest
which they were to receive from the
Connellsville road, Thought the time had come
to bring about change. The directors
considering the lease annued, last night, after
waiting till the down train had passed from Mount
Pleasant, proceeded to tear up the connection at
Bradford. The Southwestern Railroad, headed by
superintendent Pitcairn, one OF the right bowers
of that gigantic monopoly, the Pennsy-
vania Railroad, were In waiting with five loco
motives and number Of passenger and freight
cars to take immediate possession of the road. A
full brass band was In attendance, with great
gathering OF spectators, who Justify cheered the
laborers as they piled their picks and crowbars
In the work Of tearing up the rails. The
gang worked earnestly till after dark, when
the last rail was displaced, and the branch was
disconnected with CARROTS road. This concern,
under the fostering care OF the mighty Pennsyva-
mia Central, put on their passenger trains and
freight trains and to-day run all trains on schedule
time. They seem determined TO remain In posses
sion OF the road, and have at each Scott station
n force of $50 men camped out like an army. car
loaded with stores and provisions was despatched
to the men to-day and they have instructions TO
hold the road at all hazards. The men armed
and prepared for desperate work II necessary.
IL is the general belief that the Pittsburg wash
ington and Baltimore Railroad Company will APP
pear with large force OF men tomorrow, and
endeavor to regain possession and repair
the damage done. If they obtain possession
it viii be by force, which will result
in bloodshed. This conflict is between two OF the
greatest railroads OF the land and IL Is to be seen
If King Tom scott will grind down Garrett and his
company to terms OF submission as quietly and as
easily as he does certain State Legislatures.