The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-06
Daring Conspiracy to Kid
nap Vanderbilt.
California Anarchists Were to
Intercept Train.
Startling Revelations by San Fran
cisco Detective.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 6.--George u.
Gard, late chief of the Southern Pacific
Company's detective service, gave pub
licity to one of the most remarkable sto-
ries of an Anarchists plot that was ever
heard in San Francisco, last night. The
plot, according to Mr.. Gard, was nothing
less than conspiracy to hold up the
Nanderbi special train and abduct Cor
nelius Vanderbilt, and 1t has transpired
that the officials of the Southern Pacific
Company, who we-e informed by Mr..
Gard before the Vanderbilt party reached
III Paso, have been taking all precautions
to prevent the carrying out of the plot.
"Shortly before the Vanderbilt party
reached ri Paso,n said Mr. Gard, ~ re-
ceived letter which detailed in some de-
gree the plans of gang of extremists for
making money ont OF the kidnapping of
Cornelius Vanderbilt. As to my informant
i do not think it is necessary to say any
more than that he is in San Francisco.
The letter was written from here and the
men who were working out the plot, SO
1t was given TO us, were making san
Francisco their base of operations. The
letter went on to say that the men had
been conspiring for some time, but had
not been able to agree on any plan for
making haul until the announcement
appeared in the papers that Vanderbilt
ana Depew were on their way TO Califor-
mia. They Immediately picked out Van
derbilt for shining mark and proceeded
to lay plans for hold-up. My informanG
was one of the gang and in his letter TO
me he said that he would continue TO act
in the role OF conspirator and keep me
informed of their movements and any
further developments in their plans.
The letter was the most startling epistle
/ ever received, but 1 was convinced
Immediately of its genuiness for l knew
the person who wrote it as well as his
history and associations. | lost no time
in going TO NJ. j. Muir, superintendent of
the Southern Pacific Company, at Los
Angeles and laying the whole case refore
him. lie ceemed the communications of
such startling import tince, that he immedi-
ately entered into telegaphic communica-
tion with the officials Of the general office
of the Southern Pacific in this city. Mr..
Muir telegraphed the facts contsined in
the letters so that the officials in the gen.
erai offices might have plenty Of time TO
take such precautionary measures as the
occasion demanded.
"From what could Judge by the letter
the conspirators had at that time per-
fected no plans further than TO agree
among themselves to hold up the Wander
bit special train at some point in the san
Joaquin valley and make the best haul
that was possible. II no money was to
be had, Cornelius Vanderbilt was TO be
was TO be killed il necessary, in the ac-
complishment of the end In view.
"Just what steps were taken by the
railroad TO prevent tho hold-up after be-
ing warned by telegraph from Los An
geles, bave not been fully advised. IL
was suggested that pilot engine be
sent ont ahead Of the special train, but
as far as i know this was not done. The
anarchists, If they may be called such,
had laid their plans TO hold-up the train
at some convenient point in the San
joaquin valley, and it therefore is un-
necessary TO fear any violence below
Bakersfield. This side of Baker sield,
the special train was run only during the
day time and it is barely possible that the
special scheduls upset the plans of the
copspirators. As every one who kept
track of the Vanderbilt party remem bers,
the visitors remained over night in their
train at Bakersfield after visiting Santa
Barbara and came up through the San
Joaquin valley by day light on Tues lay
last. This or some other GAUSS upset the
plans of the robters. The train was not
held up and Cornelius Vanderbilt was not
abducted. / am rather inclined to think
that the men who conoocted the plot be-
came frightened into the abandonment of
their plans"
Detective Gard enjoys the distinction
of being probably as we'll acquainted
with train robbers, stage robbers and
crooks of other stripes as any other man.
in California, and the statement that he
knows the persons who assisted in the
conspiracy and then divulged the plans
of the conspirators to him, can hardly be
doubted.
Neither Mr.. Vanderbilt, Mr.. Depew or
any OF the mem bers of the party were in
formed OF the anticipated hold-up and
they left last evening on their way east
without learning that they had been made
the objects of conspiracy by gang of
desperadoes.