Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-07
CONSPIRACY
To Wreck and Rob the Pay-Train of
the Louisville and Great South
ern and SOuth and North
Alabama Railroad Com
panY.
Montgomery Advertiser. ]

| Montgomery Advertised
| BIRMINGHAM, ALA, August 3, 1878.
EDITOR MISUNDERSTANDING the past ten
| days your paper, together with others In the
State, have published from time to time ''ru-
mors'' of conspiracy organized to wreck
| and rob the pay-train Of the Louisville and
Great Southern and South and North Ala
| bama railroads, somewhere In the mountain
regions on the line in Blount or Cullman
counties. The authorities OF the road, while
| they have been silent, have left no stone I'M
turned to bring the "consplrators' to Justice,
and have successfully worked up" the case,
with the hearty and valuable CO operation of
the citizens living contiguous to the road and
the localities threatened. As the case has
now been thoroughly Investigated by the
proper legal tribunal, and the miscreant
(ringleader) punished to the full extent of the
law, there can be no harm in giving to the
public the correct and full details of the dia-
bolical plot It's publication will, in addi-
ton, show the kindness and loving regard
for humanity, law and order on the part of
the citizens and keen appreciation of the
magnitude of the intended outrage and great
vigilance on the part of the authorities, and
will set wholesome example for future at
tempts of this character. About the fifteenth
of July last a fellow calling himself Sher-
wood, stranger, approached good citizen
of Blount county, MIR. w. g. Reid, living
near Reds gap, and endeavored to induce
him to JOIN in the conspiracy to wreck and
rob the paytrain of the South and North
road, which, it is well known, makes regular
monthly trips ever the line paying off the en-
ployes. Mr.. Reid at once revealed the prop
osition to several of his neighbors and friends,
who advised him to seemingly Ego in" with
the conspirator and get all the plans, if posi-
BILE. This Mr.. Reid consented to do, and
kept his friends posted from time to time.
Thus matters progressed for several days,
when the following plot was revealed, to-
wit: Sherwood, who proves to have an GttdS,
told Mr.. Reid that he was organizing gang
of ten or fifteen desperate characters, like
himself; that a rail was TO be misplaced, or
other obstruction placed upon the track, just
ahead of the pay-train, at some wild, rugged
and mountainous point on the South and
North road, say on Sand mountain, or be-
tween Reds gap and Blount Springs; that
he (Sherwood) was to station himself IN the
bushes, near the obstruction with a rife, and
shoot the engineer as he approached, thus
making sure of death and destruction to all
on board the train; that his confederates
were to be at hand, and, In the confusion,
rob the train of its contents, and make for
the mountain Businesses and the west. Thus
was the plot revealed to Mr.. Reid; but Mr..
Reid having occasion to leave home on bust
ness, and fearing that something might be
done In his absence, went before Judge
Moore, of Brownsville with whom he had
all the while adVised), made the necessary
affidavit, and Sherwood was at once arrested
and placed in Jail, and Mr.. Reid appeared
against him. The railroad authorities were
then informed, and went vigorously to work
to sift the plot and bring all the conspirators
to Justice. With the view to ascertain the
facts and the homes of his confederates (Sher-
wood being now IN jail), the services OF skill
full detectives were secured, and they were
put where they could do the most good.
Sherwood revealed the plot to the detectives,
corroborating Mr.. Reid, stating to the detect
ives that he was pulled too soon, and be-
fore he had perfected his organization, but
that had he been given time he would have
had his plans fully carried out, and the job
would have been a success, and he would
have made ''big haul" Sherwood is a
dangerous character, and halls from the west.
He is about thirty years of age, has the name
of "Jones" in India ink on his arm, and the
print of shackles on his leg. The detectives
say he is travelling thief and gambler,
seeking whom and what he may devour. It
is unfortunate that he was arrested before he
had fully committed himself and perfected
his plans, his confederates secured and the
full majesty of the law indicated. AS it is,
there is no law to punish the fellow as he
deserves; and he can now only be punished
for the intent to commit the felony, the pun
ishment for which is too light for such char
acter. The people of Blount county, how