The morning call., 1892-07-09

The trio referred 80 yesterday who threw
the switch cut coEsis led of Roe French
Frank and boy named Figanini, the son
OF the notorious woman who keeps the
place on Folsom street where Roe was ar
rested. Ga the night of the attempted train
wrecking, after they were bifflrd by the
timely discovery of Wilson, they determined
to raise the wind somehow. When every
thing was quiet at Ocean View they broke
INFO the Scandinavian saloon there and got
away with considerable plumber.
The ATTEMPT to throw the train off the
track was dastardly one. and the young
but hardened criminals never stopped TO
think Of the awful consequences in the
loss Of life and limb. Il is not thought
that any attempt was TO he made to hold up
the express, but the suppOsit0n is that in
the confusion they would be afforded ample
opportunity to rifle the pockets and bag
gage OF the passengers. The switch was,
OF course locked, but IL worked on a simple
lever, and they found no difficulty ia turn
ing. They removed the fsh-plates from
several OF the connecting rails. smashed the
lever rod bolts AMI then swung the tracks
out Of line. keeping them in place by
1amming tsh-Dlates into the angle between
the rail and switch.
James Roe. alias Wilson, one Of the men
accused OF having tempered with the switch
with the intention OF wrecking the train
for the purpose of robbing tile passengers
during the excitement following its deTail-
ment, was seen in the tanks Of the City
Prison. where he is confined, by a reporter
yesterday afternoon.
Roe is being prosecuted on several charges
which are pending against him and took
the matter very eoOly.
lie denied that he had anything to do
Win the opening OF the switch, but frankly
admitted he had his hands full trying TO
get out Of two other scraDes. He is at pres
ent confined with Frank Gallagher. alias
the 'Zua," who is member Of the same
gang, and who was arrested upon a charge
OF larceny few DAYS ago for stealing some
jeMelry from Sixth-street pawnbroker.
Roe is charged with embeZZement on The
regular book at he prison for driving off a
wag0n-lo Of fruit belonging to Jack Muir
ply, peddler, living at 1877 York street.
and for which he failed to make any re-
turns. Murphy had him arrested in conse-
quence and is now prosecuting the case.
An additional charge of burglary was
placed opposite his name on the detinue
book. The police think that be and Gala
gheT are The men who broke into and burg
lariZed the Scandinavian saloon, kept by
Charles Joriing, at Ocean View GU June %,
the same day the attempt to wreck the train
was made. Among other things some tools
were taken, with which the recreants are
supposed TO have broken the lock of the
switch in order to throw il open and 10 re-
move the sh-plates from the rails.
They had been frequently seen together
by the police, but when arrested denied that
they had ever met before.
When interviewed by CALL reporter in
the City Prison yesterday afternoon Roe
admitted that he had been living at Ocean
View from the 10Th 10 the 18th OF June, and
said be had gone there in search Of lob.
He also admitted that he had refused a lob
from Contractor f. J. Mccormick az Baden,
who offered him work, giving as an excuse
that he had been severely cut in the heel Of
his right foot and was scarcely able TO walk
at the time.
Roe's inconsistent stories are not credited
by the police, who say he was arrested about
SIX months ago for robbing a man Of con-
siderable money, when he gave the name of
Wilson. He was subsequently acquitted on
the charge, owing to lack of evidence, but
Is known to be a desperate criminal. He
states he is only Is years CT age. but looks
much older lie has typical hoodlum look
on his face and has ali The appearance Of
being "hard" man. despite his youth.