Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-08-16

another detective, and placed him
on duty, to work up the line. His
experiences were similar to those
of the first, and failed to elicit
anything substantial.
More recently, Il man living 4
few miles west Of Arcadia-whosc
name | withhold in order to divcst
this article as much as possible of
pcrsonalitics-took upon himself
the task of building regular fence
across the railroad track, which he
did one night, after having warned
me by letter Of his intentions, I'M
less certain demands were COM
piled with. The letter of notifca-
ton reached me the day following
the commission Of the deed and
six or eight hours after the coll
lision occurred.
The west bound passenger train,
then leaving Monroe at an early
hour, struck this fence, scattering
the fence-rails right and left, and
carrying some Of them in front of
the pilot 900 yards, but was fortu-
natcly not thrown from the track.
Had the latter occurred, the con-
sequences would have been serious,
as there were q number of passcn-
gers on board, (asido from the
train men, and among them the
late district attorney of that dis
trict.
It's claimed by the friends of
this man that ne had cause Of
| grievance-which the company
denies but admitting, for the
sake Of argument, that he had,
would such cause have justified
him i'll wrccking 4 train, and thus
enabled him, while accomplishing
his purpose of destroying railroad
property, to likewise destroy the
lives of innocent parties, some of
whom were possibly his friends
and neighbors and in no wise con-
nccted with the road2
Whatever rights he may have
had, which were being disregarded
by the railroad company, would
readily enough have been accorded
him in a civil suit, as it is a we'll
established fact that if a court or
Jury errs at all, it is on the side of
the individual as against the cor
poration.
AS far as possible and with the
utmost expedition, evidence was
procured eliminating the owner OF
the land, who had openly boosted
of what he had done, and .as this
was the first occurrence in which
! such evidence could be obtained
sufficient az was believed to con-
vict-I deemed it my duty to
prosecute the case vigorously, and
| if possible, make an example OF
the offender. An affidavit was
made, the party was arrested and
placed under bond, and the case
presented to the grand jury at its
present session, with all the testi-
mony, including the letter OF
threats.
| / have just had all the papers
returned to me, with the nOtifica-
| ton that 1.-THE GRAND JURY FAILED
TO FIND A BILL"
! Comment is unnecessary, but in
| closing | desire to say something
to the citizens living along the
line of the Nicksburg, Shreveport
and Pacific railroad.
You men of Madison, Richland
Ouachita, Lincoln, Bicnville,
| Webster and Bossier You cx-
pect to patronize this road to. a
greater or less extent, not only
yourselves, but your wives and
your children. Ere long VIC will
be running fast passenger trains at
night as well as by day. Should
some of your wives or children be
hurled into eternity, without a
moments warning, by amiss plac.
ed rail, the work Of some "honest
farmer" who has grievance, real
or fancied, against the railroad
company, be pleased TO recall the
efforts made by the company to
crush out this deviltry, and place
the responsibility where it proper
| ly belongs. Respectfully,
F. Y. DABNEY,
Supt. and Chief Engineer.