Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04

CELINA, OHIO, Jan. 31.-An extra
freight train on the Lake Erie & West
ern road Numbered through Fort Re-
covery at tremendous rate last even
ing, and few loungers at the depot
thought that there was more than the
usual number of tramps on board. AS
the caboose swept past the station agents
office, Conductor Reed was seen to flip
small piece of paper out of the window,
which was partly open. The little wad
OF paper fell on the platform, and was
4 picked up by a bystander, who, moved
by idile curiosity, carried it over to the
lamp which swung over the door of the
baggage room.
" proved to be half of an old en-
velfpe, on which was written in almost
indfcipherable letters the following
message to Station Agent Brounlee, Of
thiF place: "Gang of tramps taken pos
session of my train. For Gods sake get
q party of officers together and help"
Here the message broke off, Conductor
Reed having evidently been unable to
write more. IStation Agent Brounlee
s9nt message to Marshal Woods.
4hen dispatch was received from
conductor Need at the next station,
saying the trHmps had almost beaton to
death Tom Weldon, a brakeman.
by this TIME Marshal Woods had as
fembled posse of citizens and had
fstarteu toward Mackinaw Junction, a
little over mile from here. They had
Just arrived there when the train, as is
the custom pf all trains whether passen-
4 ger or freight, slowed up. Before it
came to stop the tramps saw the posse
and a wild break for the timber on either
side of the track was made Marshal
Woods dashed towards the nearest OF
the tramp9, yelling to the posse, "Don't
let one 81 them escape, if possible" at
LII ~ Pine grabbing a fleeing rascal
iSPrompbllar. The tramp turned and
mas bes right with vicious force
~ but ives avoided the blow and in a
NJ TO saw lad his man by the throat on
4 ~. every member of the posse
y, INC Hhilar or worse tussle with one
line 'takaplof the tramps, half dozen Of
IL inhuesragged scoundrels being finally
my on cor and bound hand and foot The
d~ Greatw, who had also endeavored tc
r ~ p some of the tramps, were moi
NJ sa,ssful in their efforts, seven Of
eilnefperadoes managing 10 escape
co-ote woods. One of these was
brinbr, without doubt, badly hurt, {
Rain Jan having hit him on the heat
hui coupling pin and knocked hin
The wounded tramp's com
Bras kept the trainmen at bay, anC
altos carried off by his pals into th,
wha the gang swearing they woulC
eovtny one who dared to follow.
1 D., ,ome of them were known to b,
Y - this threat was sufficient to keel
the Dfakemen from following. Will,
the scrimmage in the dark lasted, tn,
tramfs kept up continual stream o
oathb curses and blasphemous exclama
tons. Even after the six prisoners wer
secured they continued their abusiy
talk, splitting in the faces of the captor
and swearing they would have blood,
revenge when they regained their liberty
When the train was pulling slowi,
out of Portland last evening the tramps
who had evidently been lying in wal
for 1t, suddenly appeared and climbe,
on the cars, five entering the caboos
ana the others scattering themselye
along the train. Three mounted tn
engine, the leader, gigantic ruffia
with stubby beard all over his face
showing the engineer aside and takin
charge of the locomotive, the workin
of which he evidently understood. Tb
gang swore they would run the trai
wide open and were as good as the
word.
Asfreighttrain No.54 was only amile {
SO ahead the train crew become alarme,
and endeavored to dispossess the tramp
The attempt was made at Fort Reco,
cry, but the tramps resisted, and IL
crew was worsted, one of the brakeme.
Tom Weldon, being horribly beateI
He was taken to Lima for treatmen
On leaving Fort Recovery they toe
complete possession, and held It uni
scattered by the posse at Mackina,
Excitement prevails all along the line
outrage, and citizens are securing Ii
country for the tramps who made the
escape.