Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
F|ENDS AGAIN
ATTEMPT TO
WRECK TRAIN
Disjointed Rail Seen
by Accident
Employees on Work Train Find Fish
plate Removed Near Burbank in
Time to Save Lives of
Passengers

What is believed to have been das-
tardly attempt, rivaling in diabolical in
genuity that displayed by the wreckers
of the Coast Line limited ten days ago,
was. reported to have been made to de-
rail train on the same line at Bur-
bank early yesterday morning, and had
1t been successful death would probab-
ly have resulted for scores of passen-
gers.
The plot was discovered by accident
just twenty minutes before the santa
Barbara local passed over the spot
where the rails had been fixed. Had
the fact that the rails had been tam
pered with not been discovered this
train would have been piled in the
ditch and a long list of dead and in
jured resulted.
Less care was taken and less daring
shown in this second effort of the
wrecker. In this instance a fishplate
was unscrewed from the rails and driv-
en- into a split switch on the west
bound track.
Passenger Train Saved
1t is thought this was done about 6
o'clock yesterday morning. About 6: 81
work train, carrying several hundred
laborers, came along the track. A sec
of the engine saw the fishplate stick
ing up above the rail and at once sig
nailed the engineer to stop. An 1nves-
tigation was made and the plate re-
moved. Had it been struck by this
train it is probable the engine ano
several cars would have been derailed
and hurled into the ditch below.
Twenty minutes after this work
train passed the Santa Barbara local
whizzed by in safety. Word of the at
tempt was at once sent Detective Miles
Bowler, head of the secret service force
of the railroad and officers were soor
on the scene.
1t is thought probable that detectives
were within a short distance of the spo'
when the attempt was made, but none
of them have reported seeing any sus'
picious characters in the vicinity.
According to officials of the railroad
there have been no clews found which
will lead to the identity of the wreck
ers of the train at West Glendale ter
days ago. 1t is thought, however, tha
the ones responsible for the attemp
yesterday morning were in all proba
bility responsible for the recent dis
aSter.
Fear Another Effort
The members of Detective Bowler
force are now convinced that the worl
is that of some disgruntled employ
and the records of all discharged dur
ing the last ten days are being locke,
up. The fear that the wrecker vii
successfully carry out another plot ha
caused the officials to augment the de
tective force greatly and the member
of the Pinkertons are now engage
aiding in running down the fiends.
When seen yesterday afternoon Su
perintendent r. H. Ingram of tn
Southern Pacific said:
"This makes it clear to us that on
or more villains are endeavoring t
wreak vengeance upon our road TO
some fancied injury and are taking
this fiendish method of doing thei
work 1t is probably some discharged
employee, but we hope to be certain
within a short time. Our detective
are doing all in their power to clea
up the matter. I have received n,
word from Burbank as yet, but MI
Bowler is in the field there with
force Of men, We are doing all we cal
to apprehend the criminals, and I fee
confident our labors will not be unsuc
cessful."