Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-08
4 TR1MP'S FIGHT WITH 4 RAIL
ROAD.


Costly Litigation for the Pan Handle.
| The sCquittal of John Nichaels in the U. S,
! Court al Cincinnati, on charge OF ohstruct-
| the U. 5. mails, opens up long line OF liti-
CATION that will prove rather costly to some
| body. On the night Of April 10, 1884, the
express train on the Dayton and Western
| branch OF the Pan Handle road was thrown
! from the track as it was about 10 cross the
bridge which spans the Little Miami river,
about four miles west OF Xenia The acci-
dent was caused by loose rall. and the en-
giue dashed into the side OF the bridge and
then down into the river The engineer,
John Thomas, was instantly killed John
O'Connell, The fremon, was terribly crushed
and burned, being disfgured for lite.
The express messenger and baggage master
were badly burt, and several passengers re-
ceived injuries. The general impression at
the time of the accident was that the section
men, who had been working at that point
during the day, had lett the rails in an inse-
cure condition.
The railroad officials did not accept this
theory, and hired detectives to work on the
case. In a few days they had two men under
arrest, a Cincinnati man named Coleman ard
h.chaels. The detectives finally concluded
that Michaels was the guilty man. He was
bound ever 10 court, aud after the grand jury
hsd fully Investigated the case, they refused
to find an Indictment against him, and be
was discharged. He was again arrested
and taken before the mayor, but was
azain discharged. MIchaels was then arrest
ed on a charge of obstructiog the u s. mail
Although Michaels was stranger and but
tramp, the citizens here who were familiar
with the case felt that he was being perse-
cuted. Michaels attorney communicated
with the Swiss Government (the accused be-
ing Sweae), aid, receiving the assurances
of support, decided TO follow the lead OF the
railroad company, even though it led TO the
U. S. Supreme court
When Michsels was last arrested, be was
hurried out of Xenia on a special train, but
before. he left he had time TO confer with his
attorney. and suits eggregating $50 600 for
false Imprisonment was filed against the rail
road company. Michaels spent ten months
in prison before he was tried
This is not all, however; as it has been es-
tsblished in the courts that the accident was
caused by the negligence of the railroad en-
pioyes, number of damage suits will follow.
Mrs. Thomas. wife of the deceased engineer,
has filed a suit for $4,000 damages, and this
will be followed by similar suits from injured
passengers. President Long. of Antioch
College demanded $4,000 damages DR.. Ag-
new, of Philadelphia, says he is injured for
life.
1t is also hinted that Michaels will COM
mence proceedings against some OF the de-
tectives Tor conspiring against his life, it be-
ing alleged that on the night he was taken to
Aeuia from Dayton, an effort was made to
raise a mob to take bis life.
Michaels was first lodged in jail al Dayton
and, though there sre two railroads between
the two cities, he was taken from there by
the detectives to Xenia in carriage at night.
Larry Hazen. the well-known detective, was
actively engaged on this case). At Alpha,
small village near the wreck, through which
the party was to pass, large crowd was col
lected with a lighted bonfire and quite
loud and threatening denunciations against
Michaels were made. This is said to have
been instigated by the detectives to scare
Michaels INTO q confession; but no attack
was made, and the whole affair may have
been but 'he idle curiosity of country people
TO see the prisoner, and the boisterous noise
common TO such crowds. This case has ex-
cited much interest ill this and adjoining
counties and will be eagerly watched to the
close.