The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-15
A FIENDISH CRIME.

PLACING AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE PATH OF
SWIFT RUNNING RAILWAY EXPRESS TRAIN
WITH INTENT TO THROW IT FROM THE
RAILs-THE cULPRIT's CONFESSION.
BY TELEGRAPH To THE HERALD
BUFFALO. N. ". August a. 1879.
week ago yesterday Detective Hugh Battle. of
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern and the
Central Railroad, arrested a man named Harry
Locke claiming TO hail from New Castle. Pa. on
suspicion Of having attempted to wreck passenger
train on the Lake Shore Railroad This fact not
made known. however. until to-day. the prisoner
having been kept in confinement with the expecta-
ton that he would make confession. He did SO
this morning The particulars of the circumstances
which led to Locke's arrest are that early in the
morning OF Wednesday, the 9th inst. the engineer
OF freight train going west on the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southern Railroad. about four miles this
side OF Angola discovered railroad tie lying
the east bound track. Knowing that the
passenger train which arrives here at thirty-fve
minutes past four A. NJ. would soon be along. and
that serious accident would be likely to he
Immediately reversed his engine. halted his train
and reported to the conductor what he had
The train hands then went back
and removed the obstruction just in time,
the passenger train. travelling at
high rate of speed. wa: not far distant,
but slowed down and came to standstill on seeing
the lights of the train flashing along the tracks.
In the meantime despatch had been received here
from the station agent at Angola. stating that
giving his Harry Locke there. who
claimed to have seen two men place the tie on the
track. and had attempted to flag the passenger train
but without being successful. his information
was impaired to Detective Battles. He telegraphed
to the station agent to detain the until his
rival and then. taking the Toledo express leaving
here at seven O'Clock in the morning, went up to
Angola.
LocKE's STORY.
On arriving there lie interviewed Locke. who said
his occupation that OF sailor. He sailed from
Liverpool May 22 board the bark Peter Creerar
a common seaman. was wrecked of the coast of
Newfoundland. picked up by passing steamer and
brought to Montreal. from which place he went to
Buffalo by rail. paying his fare. When he arrived
here his FUNDS were exhausted. He tried to get a
berth board vessel to 20 tar Erie but not
a member or the Seamans Union and failed. He had
no money wherewith to seek membership in the
country to see il he could get work in
the harvest fields. Going as far Big Tree Corners
he obtained employment for four days and quarter
the farm OF Mr.. p. d. X. Saunders This three
weeks ago. After completing his abors on the sauh-
til a week ago Saturday, when he took train far
Big Tree Corners, and from there started to walk
lowing Tuesday he took the track of the Lake Shore
Railroad After walking q short distance he
lay down alongside the track and tried to
and walked as far as the nineteen mile post where
he again lay down near the track and fell asleep 1t
was then about midnight. and moonlight. He was
subseque awakened by the rumbling of freight
passing by. After the train had passed he sat
up and overheard the conversation Of two men sit
ting alongside the track not far from him. One of
them SAID ''I'll be damned if don't get even with
the -" On his companion asking .'How?" the
other fellow replied By putting tic on the track.
They then got up walked east short distance to
where there was pile Of ties. one OF which, seem
ingly very heavy one, they removed and
placed the track. One Of them. whom We
will designate as No. g. then said "Ain't you going
~, lab Ne
sponded. "No. that's enough. At the speed they
travel that will throw them into the ditch. II We
take it on Hadn't we better 60 now r. said No q
no., said No. 1. 81 am going to wait until see the
train coming SO as to make sure thing Of it,.
and in doing 50 made some noise. One
Of the men said. What noise was thatY"
the woods" Locke claims that he then quietly got
over the fence running parallel with the railroad
road and returned to the track that the passenger
train coming and, taking of his coat, he waved
it In the air expecting to attract the attention of
the engineer who failed to see the signal ana the
train Numbered by. going. as Locke believed to de-
and told his story to the station agent, who then
telegraphed to Buffalo
A DIFFERENT sToRy-LocKE coNFEssRs HIS GUILT.
Detective Battle thought Locke's story rather
"gauzy." and accepting it with many grains of al
lowance concluded that it would be well to hold
Locke for while and what the future would
develop This course appears to have been wise and
judicious. He brought Locke to Buffalo
prisoner without the man actually understanding
what to be done with him, and locked him up
one OF the private cells at Police Headquarters,
where he still remains. Last night Locke
marked to prisoner in another cell that
he had thought he was being held q Witness
but now believed he booked the principal
and that the police had "got to- him This
morning he sent for Detective Battle. and when that
officer visited him he stated that it
ceaing the truth any longer He said he the
who placed the tie the track. aud his previous
story untrue with regard to tho two men. He
did however try to stop the train. On being asked
what his object he said he out or funds
and saw no prospect of getting money
He was Respondent and tired of living, but
did have courage to take his life he concluded
to commit the dastardly crime of wrecking train
and getting into prison. The police do not believe
this was his object. 1t was thought he simply
playing old game Had he been successful in
Rigging the train tue passengers. on seeing their
narrow escape from injury and possible death. would
have opened their purses well their hearts,
and prompted by feeling OF generosity and
appreciation. would have presented him with
a substantial recognition OF the service performed
by him. Then he would have had funds
and gone on his way rejoicing at the happy result
of his clever scheme. The prisoner is about thirty
FIVE years of age Although in conversation evil
dencng some considerable intelligence. his appear
ance decidedly against him. He is cross-eyed has
u very unprepossessing countenance, and looks like
the genuine tramp that he probably is. He will be
taken to Angola tomorrow for arraignl ent and ex
IN before u Justice of the peace.