Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-13
WORK OF ROBBERS.
A Train Derailed on the Cen
tral Pacific.
Some One Had Tempered With
the Track.
A Pullman Sleeper Thrown Over a
High Embankment.
The Passengers Miraculous Escape from
Death-Half Dozen Injured but
No One KiIled-List of
the Wounded.
Associated Press Dispatches.


CoLFAx, CAL, Oct. 12.-The west
bound fast mail train ON the Central
Pacific left the track three miles west OF
Colfax at o'clock this morning.
The train consisted of four sleeping
cars, one baggage and two mail cars.
One sleeper broke from the train and
rolled down the embankment about
fifty feet. The porter Of this car was
badly injured. The train had between
80 and 100 passengers, many OF whom
were scratched and bruised, but no fa-
talities are thus far reported.
The cause of the accident was the
loosening OF a rail on curve, which is
believed to have been the work of train
wreckers. The bolts ard nuts had been
taken out of the rail, and it spread
apart when the train ran over it. The
track was torn up, and the ties were
splintered for a thousand feet. The en-
gine and baggage cars got oyer safely,
but the mail car jumped from the rails
without leaving the roadbed. The
sleeper Shoshone jumped about half
way across the track. The Pullman
sleeper Santa Cruz was thrown down an
embankment sixty feet, and badly
smashed.
About fifteen passengers were in the
coach at the time, but none were seri-
ously hurt. They were extricated from
their uncomfortable position, where
they were almost smothered, by the
train men, who cut holes in the side OF
the cars. 1t is claimed that goods to
the value of $4,000 or $4,000 are still in
the sleeper, consisting of jewelry and
diamonds. One woman was almost suf-
located before she was released.
The injured list is as follows:
w. G. Farnham, destined for Los An
geles-Left shoulder injured.
Mrs. Schenck, Denver, Colo.-Bruise
on forehead.
George Pritchard, Missouri, destined
for Modesto--Laceration over one eye.
]. A. Amos, porter of car Santa Cruz,
East Oakland-Injury to right thigh.
G. Coggswell, Newark, N. J.--Contu1
sion OF the back.
Mrs. Annie Mclaughlin and child,
San Francisco-Mother bruised on left
cheek, and child on forehead.
The wreck is supposed to have been
the work OF train robbers who were try
ing to rob the mail car. Railroad De-
tective Ben True is engaged in search
ing for the perpetrators. 1t is said he
has good reason to believe he knows the
men, but Mr.. True will not say any
thing about the matter. The Dalton
gang are supposed to have had hand
in it,
The passengers were transferred and
taken down about IL O'Clock. Much
harm was done to the road bed and roll
ing stock, and it was miracle that no
lives were lost. The track is now clear,
and trains are running on time.
SACRAMENTO, Oct. 12.-Trains from the
wreck are just in. Proofs are accumu-
lating that the wreck was deliberate
attempt, with the purpose OF robbery.
Officers are securing the country in pur-
suit of the scoundrels. The passengers
in one of the coaches caught a glimpse
of one man who rushed off.
SAN Francisco, Oct. 12.-The South
ern Pacific company has offered re-
ward of $4,000 for the arrest and conyIc-
ton OF each person connected with the
derailment OF the express at Colfax this
morning.