The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-01
Saves q Train From Wreck and
Robbery in Oregon.
WITH A BLAZING HANDKERCHIEF,
He Had Been Wounded by the Robbers
and Left for Dead.
There Was $50, 200 ON the TPain-A
Rail Displaced ON . Trestle-The
Lives OF ESQ People Impsriled-A
Passengers Story.


made at midnight last night to wreck the
north-bound overland train at Rice Hill, a
few miles north of Roseburg. A rail was
removed and so fixed as to inevitably
throw train coming in contact with it off
the track. The express came whirling
down the unusually steep grade and was
just swinging on the curve leading to the
trestle when the engineer of the leader of
the two locomotives pulling the train of
thirteen cars saw man lying between the
rails and waving burning cloth. 1t was
George Z. Richardson, gardener who was
out of employment and making his way
on foot toward Roseburg. He had boarded
the south-bound freight at Yoncalla, three
miles north of the trestle, but was put Off.
and followed hoping to be able to board
the south-bound express at O'Clock when
1t was pulling up the steep incline at Rice's
hill.
On the trestle he discovered that the
outer rail had been removed and turned
diagonally across the track. Thinking to
get back to Yoncalla to telegraph, he
wheeled about and came face to face with
two men, and from the other end three
more men approached him. The crimi-
nails beat him terribly about the head and
stabbed him twice. one wound possibly
being fatal. They then threw him. over
the guard rail, twenty feet to the ground.
The wounded man climbed up the side of
the ravine and walked and crawled half
mile, falling exhausted and setting fire tc
his handkerchief just in time to sUe him.
self and the lives of $50 passengers. If the
train had struck the lifted rail, it would
have sprung into space. fallen thirty feet
and rolled down another hundred. 1t is
thought clue to the miscreants has been
found. Conductor Charles Wilson states:
We were due at Rice Hill at l: DC O'Clock this
morning, and there We were tagged BY Rich
ardson, ali worn out, painting ana faint, and
blood running from his body. We could sec all
this. a. the night was light We stopped and he
cried out: "For Christ's sake don't 60 any fur
ther There are i've men down there to rob you
and they have torn up the track" We at once
proceeded to get all the arms we could on the
train, which was being pulled by two engines,
and Master Mechanic Young took the head en-
gine and with six armed men went to reconnOi-
ter Alter travelling half mile cautiously they
came to trcstle thirty-fve feet high and we
had not passed it but a short distance when the
engine went of the track. every wheel Of 1t
Upon investigation the party found IN entire
rail gone In the center Of the trsstls and took
them all night to get the engine on the track
again.
The passengers this morning, while en-
route to this city, drew up resolutions ex-
tending thanks and sympathy to Richard
son. They also raised purse Of $50. Some
are of the opinion that the motive Of the
wreckers was revenge on the railroad COM
pany for hiring Japanese section hands
instead of white men, but the more proba-
bic theory is that robbery was their mo-
tive, and had the attempt been successful
they would have secured large amount,
as it is reported that Wells, Fargo & Co.'s
treasure box contained $35. 900 in gold
alone, shipped from San Francisco to q
Portland bank. while other sums in the
box brought the total up to nearly $1,000.
The Southern Pacific officials took charge
of Richardson, bringing him to this city
and providing medical attendance for
him. The crowbar and wrench used in re-
moving the rail was found near the sceEe.
They were identified as belonging to the
section house at Yoncalla. Southern Pa
ciic officials say they found no definite
clue to the perpetrators. The local au-
thorities who are now securing the coun-
try will be reinforced by the company's de-
tectives, and the company will probably
offer large reward.
TACOMA, March 3l.-[Special. 1-F. 8.
Hubbard. of Boston, was ono Of the few
passengers awakened when tho train
stopped on the Southern Pacific near
Roseburg. Or, in time to avert q wreck.
He said tonight.
The man who tagged the train by burning q
handkerchief was we'll known at Eugene.
where IL was said he was an honest fellow. /
consider that his injuries were more severe
than to have been self-in1icted. Ono stab was
in the ribs and the other near the nipple. He
probably was injured more than his appearance
indicated. One thing is certain. even If
be bad been one of a gang of trainwreckers
who weakened at the last moment, and was
therefore beaten by his pals he prevented
horrible wreck. We made up purse OF $50, and
If IL is learned that his story is true. moro
will be given him. He saved many Nyea
When the train stopped, those who had
guns were routed out There was one good gun
and many small weapons. We expected to DO
held up some hid their money, and one man
put his diamond ring IN his mouth We
tried to back up the grade, and could
not Those who had guns mounted the for
ward engine ani went down towards the
trestle. We expected that the rail had been re-
moved . mile ahead. but IL was a short quarter
OF q mile. and the engine left the track where
the rail was gone and settled on trestle One