The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-03-21
A TRAMP'S REVENGE.
Dastardly Attempt to Wreck
x. & T. Train on Fri
day Evening.
The ScOundrel Taken in Charge
by Conductor Jim Doyle
and His Crew
And Carried Into Hannibal-What
Led to the Preparation Of
the Crime.

A dastardly attempt was made. Friday
afternoon, to wreck passenger train on
the northern division of the X. Il T., at a
point eight miles this side of Hannibal,
and 1t seems almost miracle that il re-
suited without the loss of life.
Friday morning Conductor Tom Arnold
put a tramp off his nOrth-bound freight
train, few miles this side of Hannibal.
and at the time the fellow gave it out solid
that
HE WOULD SEEK REVENGE,
and i'm substantial manner, too. Moth
ing was thought of the threat, however, at
the time, but subsequent events proved
that the tramp, whose name could not be
learned, had not given utterance to the
words merely as an idle boast.
Immediately on being elected from
the train, the scoundrel set about to
secure his revenge. He could not
wreak vengeance upon the conductor who
had bounced him, SO he determined the
railway company should suffer for the con-
duct OF Its employee. With this object in
view, he secured about twenty-five old ties,
some OF them badly decayed, and placed
them IN the center of the track, for the
purpose of
wRrKiNG THE TH-BoUND PASSENGER
TRAIN,
No. 1J2. which left here at 1920 O'Clock
Friday morning, with Conductor DOYLE i'm
charge and Billy Willis at the throttle. He
then retired to await the result of his
diabOlical deed, but it failed to "pan outn
as he had anticipated.
Instead Of Mr.. DOyle's train being the
first one to pass, it was a north-bound
freight in charge of Conductor WEIGH, the
engineers name being unknown, and ar
rived at the spot at 2:30 o'clock D. m. The
obstruction was discovered, the lever
reversed, and brakes called for, but not
outstanding all this precautiOn, the iron
horse could not be checked in time. and
the ties were run into. Fortunately, the
speed Of the train had been greatly checked,
and instead of the engine or cars being
derailed. the ties were
THROWN FROM THE TRACK.
Search was instituted for the perpetrator
OF the crime, but he had secreted himself,
and the train pulled into Hannibal,
when Conductor Welch reported by tele-
graph the circumstances to Superintendent
Eddy. In this city, who Immediately gave
notice that a reward of $3.50 would be paid
Tor the discovery and capture of the MIS-
creant.
No sooner had the freight left the scene
OF disaster than the tramp emerged from
his hiding place and again proceeded to
pile up the ties as before, being determined
that he would vet wreck tie passenger
train, and he came very nearly being sue
ressful.
A few minutes after four o'clock the
passenger train was bowling along at
HIGH RATE OF SPEED,
when Engineer Willis discovered ahead of
him the piled up ties, at a place where
here was quite a fill i'm the road In an
instant the air brakes were applied and the
ever reversed, but still the train speeded
M and the obstruction was encountered.
he ties being scattered i'm all directions.
The engine ran probably the length OF
even or eight cars after striking the ties
md then came to a standstill. Notwith-
all was excitement, Willis had |
lot Jailed TO notice a man standing by the |
Idle of the track, and he at once surmised |
hat ii was he who was guilty of the act.
de left his engine, and called back to Con-
luctOr Doyle and Baggagemaster Bartlett
ARREST THAT MAN."
t the same time pointing him out. At
rst the fellow exhibited spirit of brag-
docio, saying he had twenty men secreted
ear by who would come to his assistance.
ut he soon wilted and appeared as do
lie as lamb. Although inter, oga,ed as
D his name and place Of residence. he re-
used to divulge either, simply remarking
hat he was "a bad man from Jefferson
'ity."
Among the train men and passengers
ne greatest Indignation prevailed, and for
time ii looked as though the demon
'ould certainly be lynched. Wiser corn-
Il prevailed, however, and he was placed
4 coach and taken into Hannibal and
'cked up.
WILLIS CONDUCT.
The conduct Of Engineer Willis, who
God SD manfully at his post on dutv. is
ldeed commendable, and the BAzoO hopes
2 will come in for q good share of the re-
ard.
From information received yesterday
corning, 4 BAZOO reporter learned that /,
le prisoner will not have q preliminary
until tomorrow morning, as :
is not known definitely whether the
lime was committed in Marion or Rails
'unty.
Some OF the X. & T. officials will leave .
rs city this evening for Hannibal, and
I'll see to it that justice is melted out 20
e would-be train wrecker.
James A. Sewell, A. M,
!. D., of MEDICAL FACULTY LAVAL
Quebec, states: have found
OIO0nS'S Ii4hip'a EvtPo ct ~ RoofI