The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-01
HE WRECKED A TRAIN.
A Southport Desperate Confesses Having Made
an Attempt to Derail Passenger Train.

The first arrest for train wrecking made by
the metropolitan police was registered at the
station house last night. The prisoner is j. L.
Mclaughlin and ungainly and rather stupid
looking fellow, about twenty-three years old,
and the crime for which he is under arrest is
the wrecking of the Jacksonville, Madison &
indianapolis passenger locomotive, which was
thrown from the track last Friday night
by rail which had been placed
over the cattle guards, near South
port The locomotive was ditched, and
it was regarded as miraculous that no lives were
lost by the accident. 1t was suspected at the
time that the attempt to wreck the train was
made by man with whom the conductor had
had some trouble during the previous evening at
Greenwood, station a short distance below
Southport Superintendent Lang, of the
Metropolitan police force was requested by the
railway company to make investigation Of
the case. On Monday Captain Colbert visited
Southport, and information was given him
| which caused him to at once suspect Mclaughlin
of being guilty of the crime.
In the ground about the cattle guard where
| the distractions were placed ON the railroad
| track were noticed the impressions of a broad
| and narrow shoe, evidently worn by the same
| person, on the morning that the wreck occurred.
| This led to the suspicion of Mclaughlin, who
| wore two such shoes 1t was afterward learned
| that on the nioht the wreck occurred McLaugh
| lin had told man named Shobe that he wanted
| to disguise himself, and had remarked that he
would stay with him during the night, so that if
| anything happened he could prove his limo
| cence. Upon this circumstantial evidence Col
| bert returned to Southport yesterday with
| instructions from the chief of police to arrest
Mclaughlin whom the officer had no difficulty
| in nnding
Il could have got away, because l knew you
when you were down here yesterday" remarked
the prisoner as Captain Colbert started with
him to this city.
What do you mean9' asked Colbert
We'll, that's all right-you understand as well
as do"
Mclaughlin declared until after his arrival at
| the police station that he was innocent How
ever, he was taken into the Office of the police
superintendent and was told that it was useless
Tor him to protest his innocence as there was
conclusive evidence of his guilt He was left to
think the matter over until after supper, with
the advice that it would be better for him to tell
the truth. When the officers returned in the
evening Mclaughlin stated that he decided to
give full statement of the matter, and the
following written confession was signed by him.
about one hour before train time I went
down the track. had been drinking. 1t came
into my head to put the rail on the track | do
ness. After | laid the rail on the track [ went
back to Strobles. Before laid the rail on the
track [ borrowed coat and vest from Strobe,
and told him | wanted to disguise myself. After
| went back to Stroble's told him | would stay
all night with him. SO | could say so if | was
arrested. Strobe and | went to the wreck after
it happened, and stayed until they got the engine
| on the track. j. L. MCLAUGHLIN."
| After signing this confession, Mclaughlin was
placed behind the bars. When a Journal re-
porter visited the station house last night he
| appeared to be slightly under the influence of
intoXcants. 1t is said that he has the reputation
| of being rather desperate fellow, but he has
| the appearance simply of being dull, ignorant
| country loafer. He is of ndolent disposition
| and worthless character, and has been supported
most of the time it is said by the earnings of his
| mother and sisters He is suspected of hay
ing committed number of petty
| crimes in the vincinity of Southport A
fear of his vengence, however, inundated
the people living about Southport from giving
| any information against him. There was almost
unmistakable evidence that he had cut the har-
ness on the horses of some young men at a party
a few nights ago, the officers state, hut simply
from fear that he would do further mischief, no
one dared to say anything to him. He has never
been under arrest BEFORE and if his confession
is admitted IN evidence against him. he is not
likely to fail into custody second time soon, as
the crime of which he is accused is very serious
one and the punishment is from two to fourteen
years imprisonment
who is mentioned in the confession of McLaugh-
rest.