The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-06
To KIDNAP
VANDERBILT.
Plans of DesperadOes on the Pa
ciffc Coast
To Sieze the Vanderbilt Special
Train
And Carry Off Cornelius Wander
biIt for Ransom.
CHIEF OF DETECTIVES
Of the Southern Pacific Inform
ed Of the Plot.
The Schemes of the COnspirators
Are Spoiled
Of the Southern Pacific Inform
ed Of the Plot.
The Schemes Of the Conspirators
Are Spoiled
BIZ CHANGE OF PLANS.
The Special is Rum Only in the
Day Time
Through the San Joaquin Val
ley in California.

San Francisco, April George E.
Gard, late chief of the Southern Pa
cidc compauy's detective service. came
up from Los Angeles last night and
gave publicity to one of the most re-
markabl stories of an anarchist plot
that was probobly ever heard in San
Francisco. The plot according to DIr.
Gard, was nothing less than a cOnspir-
acy to hold up the Vanderbilt special
train and abduct Cornelius Vanderbilt
and it has transpired that the officials
of the Southern Pacific company, who
were informed through Mr.. Gard before
the Vanderbilt party reached Ell Paso.
have been taking all possible precau-
tions to prevent the carrying out of the
pIot.
Shortly before the Vanderbilt party
reached EI Pasc,' said Mr.. Gard in
speaking of the affair at ths Palace
hotel, II received a letter y. hich de
tailed in some degree the plans of a
gang of extremists for making money
out of the lzidnappingOf Cornelius Van
derbilt. 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 are working out the plot as
it was given to US. We're making San
Francisco their base of operations.
'sThe 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 a haul until the an
nOuncement appeared in the papers
that the Vanderbilt party wee on their
way to California. They Immediately
picked out Vanderbilt for shining
mark and proceeded to lay plans for a
hold Up.
MY Informant was one of the gang,
and in his letter to me. said that he
3
conspirator and keep me informed of
their movements and any further de-
velopments in their plans. The letter
was the most startling epistle / ever
received but I was convinced immed-
lately OF its genuineness for knew the
person that wrote it as we'll as his his
tory and associations"
Il lost no time in going to J. A. Muir,
superintendent of the Southern Pacific
company at Los Angeles. and laying
the whole case before him. We deemed
the communication of such startling
Importance we Immediately entered in
to telegraphic communication with the
officials of the Southern Pacific in this
city Mr.. Muir telegraphed the facts
contained in the letter, so that the Off
cials might have plenty of time to take
such precautionary measures as the oc-
casiOn demanded.
From what I could judge by the let
ter, the conspirators had at that time
perfected no plans further than to
agree among themselves to hold up the
Vanderbilt special train at some point
in the San Joaquin valley and make the
best haul that was possible If no
money was to be had any other way.
Cornelius Vanderbilt was to be kid
mapped and every one else in the party
was to be killed if necessary in the ac-
compishment of the end in view.
Just what steps were taken by the
railroad company to prevent the hold
up after being warned by telegraph
from Los Angeles, I have not been fully
advised Tt was suggested that pi-
lot engine be sent out ahead of the spe-
cial 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 unnecessary to fear any
violence below Bakersfield"
This side of Bakersfield the special
train was run only during the day time
and it is barely possible that this pre-
caution upset the plans Of the cOnspira.
tors.
"As everyone who kept track of the
Vanderbilt party will remember, the
visitors remained over night in their
train at Bakersfield after visiting Santa
barbara and came through the San
Joaquin valley by daylight on Tuesday
last. This or some other cause upset
the plans of the robbers. for the train
was not held up and Cornelius Wander
bilt was not abducted. I am rather in
clined to think that the men who con
cocted the plot became frightened into
an 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 oUher
man in California and the statement
that he knows the person who assisted
in the conspiracy and then divulged
the plans of the conspirs tors to him
can hardly be doubted. Neither Mr.
Vanderbilt, NIr Depew nor any of the
members Of the visiting party were in
formed Of the anticipated hold up and