New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-21
YOUNG MISCREANTS CONFESS.
THE WRECKERS OF THE CENTRAL TRAIN
EXPECTED TO GET 100000
STOOD BESIDE THE TRACK WITH REVOIvERs IN
THEIR HANDS UNTIL THE CRASH CAME.
THEN THEY TURNED AND FLED.

THEN THEY TURNED AND FLED
Rome. " V, Nov 2o-At the Coroners inquest
over the bodies of Engineer Hager OF Albany. and
Billy Bond Of Syracuse, who were killed in the
railroad wreck here yesterday. there was no inn
portant testimony given except by Miss Celia
Perrin a young woman with whom Hiidreth, the
leader os the gang of boy wreckers. was friendly
She testified that Hildreth to her house yes
terday morning and had breakfast and told her
about how they had wrecked the train. This
testimony was corroboratlve of the story the boys
had told earlier in the day. Hildrcth told Miss
Perrin that turned the rails tha, oosened
so that the train would go into the ditch
The four boys who are charged With committing
the crime have al confessed except Bristol who
refuses to say anything. The evidence of the
others however. duplicates him, and makes him
and Hldreth the leaders of the gang. The boys
had revolvers which they said they threw away
in the woods Hibbard taken TO the spot to-
day search for the revolvers. but they could
be found. Some tools which were stolen about ten
days ago, when the previous attempt was made
by the boys to wreck the train We're. however.
found in the woods The boys had all been read
ing sensational novels They frequented Hdreth's
at the Temperance Hotel, where they Played
cards and had boxing bouts. They also frequentcd
the cancl-boat Of Bristols father, which is tied
up here In the summer the boat is taken 10 Sylvan
Beach OH Oneida Lake, where it is used as a bar
room on the boat and in Hdretns room they
Utica There Hidre:h. who already owned re-
volver purchased two more The boys rode home
in boxcar and planned the wreck They thought
they would get about $4,000 from the dead or dy-
ing passengers. They matured their plans, AZ hIs
been told. and until the rails were loosened and
the train nearing the fatal spo; did they seem
to hesitate Then" says Hibbard. "~e were on
pins and needles and wished those rails were back
In place. We stood on the north side Of the track
all with our revolvers in our hands ready 10 rush
In among the people. When we heard the CRASH
and the cries Of the people we ran away through
the woods. We were thoroughly scared and real
ized what had done. We had noi gone fif
before decided 10 throw away our icNoiFtfa
because afraid # they were iouhd ON is
we would be suspected Hilireth lost MS hat but
did not stop to get it,
The loss of this hai vas what iod 10 me 'pre pee ~
such excuses as they could for thelr aosehce HuII
ing the night Hiidreth went win Hiobafi b ana ana
ne los: IN the woods. Then Hildreh went 10 break
fast with Miss Perrin After that he returned TO
the scene of the wreck ana was waking ABOUT VII"
a cane over his shoulder when arrested
The boys do not seem &c feel any severe pahES
Of remorse Hndreth was executing song ami
dance in mis- cell at the police station \ aeteciiVe
has been Secreted In the corridor IN Wnlch llrl
were confined. and the evidence ne mas accu'"o"'"
the wreck will die. Fireman Wagner %n33 = IN IA
the hospital at Oneida. Is improving ana 90 So.n
doing well at the hospital in Ins city
The train wreckers John W Hndre,n ,9 ImeqD1Ie ore
fore The Recorder in Rome this afternoon charged
with murder In the first degree IN causing ne Gea n
Of Nathan Nj Hag-r and Rober; Bond They
pleaded not guilty and their examination was set
This afternoon young man. Frederick Palmer,
was arrested suspicion Of being CONNECTED WIN
the railroad wrecking plan He says mat me prs
oners talked TO him some time ago about wreckins
n rrain but he refused to join them. -
At the Continuation OF the inquest held HaGer
and Bond II shown on the testimony Of De
tective John Latham and others that the wreck in
which the decease lost their lives caused by
John w Hildreh. Herbert Plato Frederick Bristol
and Theodore Hibbard who tampered with the
track for the purpose OF ditchng the train that they
might rob the passengers dead and living. The in
quest was adjourned until November & d p. m.
J. Watson Hildrs;h, Of the boys who wrecked