Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-29
DAMAGING EVIDENCE.
Wilson and Dowden Have a Hearing
on a Train Wrecking Charge.
HELD in $4,000 BAIL FOR COURT.
The Engineer and Brakeman Tell the Story
of the Obstruction.
WIN. DOwDENs VOICE WAS RECOGNIZED

Magistrate Gripp's Office on Grant street
was crowded Yesterday when John Wilson
and Willard Dowden were given hearing
on a charge of having fastened plank on
the Pittsburg, Virginia and Charleston
Railway tracks at Lostock station, near
Coal Valley. George Wheatly. railway
detective, was the prosecutor. The prose-
cution was represented by Mr.. Scott, of Hamp'
ton, Scott & Gordon, and the accused by
Messrs. William Hunter, William Rear
don and Major Montooth.
John Cook, the engineer, and Charles
Bindley, brakeman of the train, testified to
the engine striking the plank and leaping
upward like a goat in consequence, and to
the shaking up aud fright of the passen-
gers.
o. r. Scott, storekeeper, testified that
he had heard some persons at work pulling
hemlock pianks from platform at the
store. He stuck his head out of the win
dow, but did not recognize anyone by ap-
pearance. The party acted boisterously.
Witness did not recognize any voice but
that of Dowden. He said he had met him
frequently in four or five months, and felt
sure he recognized his voice. Two planks
were taken. Scott's story did not vary
materially on cross-examination.
Josh Simpson testified that on the night
of July 20 he was at The Ten-mile inn,
about 300 wards from Snodgrass' store, at
Davis saloon. He saw several people
there. but was only acquainted with one of
them, named Gales. Witness pointed out
Dowden as one of the party he saw there.
John Gibson and West Miller were with
the party.
THE GANG WERE SINGING.
Thomas Davis, of Moss Side, knew Will.
SON and Dowden. They came to his place
about 10 o'clock and left before II. He did
not know which way they went after leav-
ing. After going from his place they went
across the road and sat down and began
singing, but at witness request stopped, he
stating that if they were friends of his they
would not make disturbance, and they
went down the road.
Christopher Stokes. of Coal Valley, one
half mile from Lostock station, testified that
John Wilson boarded with him, and he,
Wilson, told witness that he had gotten
into some trouble about board that had
ing away; said also that he had been drink
ing, but did not say he had put the board
on the track.
Samuel Matthews, of Coal Valley, deposed
that he knew John Wilson and Willard
Dowden, but had never spoken to Wilson.
Dowden told witness he, Dowden. was in
trouble on account of plank having been
put on the railway track.
George Wheatly testified that he had
arrested Dowden, and with Constable Muir
ply had arrested Wilson. Wheatly de-
MED that he had induced the accused to
confess. and he and Mr.. Reardon had a
rather sharp alteration.
OUT OF PURE DEvILrRY.
Wheatly finally admitted that he had
talked with Reardon about the case, but
had not said anything compromising. Will
son said they had done the work out of pure
devilishness while drunk. They then went
into a stone quarry and took sleep. Wilson
told his trouble to Stokes, and got him to
take him across the river. where he went to
the residence OF an aunt. Witness denied
that he had told the prisoners that it would
be better for them to confess. Wilson said
he had assisted to do the job.
Mr. Reardon demanded to know if
Wheatly had ever been sworn before, and
the latter refused TO see the relevancy of the
question until Alderman Gripp advised
him to answer, when he said: "Of course
have been"
Counsel for the defense suggested that
81, 500 bail was too high and that $500 would
be sufficient, but Mr.. Gripp refused to
lower it, stating that the matter could be
brought before court on Saturday, and a
wait of that length would do no harm, and
the prisoners were remanded to Jail.