The evening world., 1904-06-22
Noted Crooks Arrest DiscIoses
Attempt to DeraiI PittsfieId
Express on New Haven Road
by Gang of Robbers.
ENGINE AHEAD FOUND
TRACK INSTRUCTIONS.
Michael J. Sullivan, Ex-Convict,
Offered to Give Names of
Gang to Railroad for a Money
Consideration.

That dastardly attempt was made
to wreck the Pittsfield Express on the
New York, New Haven and Hartford
Railroad May 2s last is curiously made
public to-day through the arrest OF a
notorious crook.
An engine preceding the express by
aaif an hour encountered the obstacles
placed on the track by the wreckers
md thus prevented what the railroad
officials then declared would have been
catastrophe. Heavy chains and logs
had been fastened to the track in such
manner as to have terailed the train.
II was the intention of the wreckers
to have looted the train and four OF
the gang were IN hiding near by when
the engine met the obstacles The gang
escaped. Although the railroad people
sent detectives in every direction to
run down the wreckcrs no clue was
obtained until to-day, when Michael j.
Sullivan. a noted forger and eX-con-
Wet, whose picture is in the RoSues'
Gallery OF several cities. was taken
to police headquarters.
Later in the day Sullivan was ar
raigned before Magistrate Breen in the
Centre Street Police Court and was held
in 81, 900 bail for examination on Friday.
Sullivan. who has a dozen aliases.
has the distinction of having forged
his own pardon while in prison ut
Nashville. Tenn.
Swindled In the Tonbs.
,t,o Il .
forgery, he sent several hundred letters
to various parts OF the country, forging
the signatures of many persons. and re-
ceiving several thousand dollars through
the mails from the persons. whom he
addressed MS wife. sister and brother.
Recently Sullivan addressed a letter to
President Mellen, OF the New York. New
Haven and Hartford Railroad. Offering
to reveal the names of the gang of
train wreckers for a consideration. Sui
livan told the details OF the attempt
to wreck the Pittsfleld express. and SO
thorough was his story that President
Mellen decided to place the matter in
the hands OF the police.
Sullivan was found at Tunkhannock.
Pa, and brought to this city to-day. In
spector McClusky questioned the fellow
and found corroboration for his story
Of the attempted train wreckinG from
the railroad officials themselves.
Sullivan accurately described the
plans OF the gang and added that when
everything was In readiness he lost his
nerve and ran away, not wishing. he
said, to witness the shedding OF human
blood. 1t was on May 2S, he told the
inspector. that the attempt was made,
and this, too, was confirmed by the
railroad people.
Detectives Recognized sullivan.
Detectives Valley and Collins reoog-
nized Sullivan at once. He is variously
known as Paul d. Hart and f. d.
Stoddart. under which alias he was ar
rested in this city for forgery four
years ago and convicted.
The police believe that Sullivan WIS
not actually present. as he says. when
the attempt was made to wreck the ex-
pI ess. but heard OF tho plot from an
other crook, and then planned to be-
tray the gang in the hope Of securing a
reward.
Sullivan will now be sent to North |
New Haven and charged with having |
attempted to wreck the express. 1t Is
said that the railroad police can estab- |
lish that Sullivan was in the neighbor- |
hood when the rain-wrecking gang |
fixed the obstacles TO the track and !
will have no trouble In getting evidence !
against him.
NEW HAVEN. June 22.-At the First
vice-President's office OF the New York
New Haven and Hartford Railroad this
afternoon this statement was issued,
based on yhe alleged confession Of
Michael ]. Sullivan:
tioular."