The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-26
CARS
CRIPPLED BY
BOY THIEVES
Gang Directed by a Local Fig
ure Works Havoc on Ore
gOn Short Line.
METHODS EXPOSED BY
SEARCHING INQUIRY
VALVES HEATED AND SMASHED
BEFORE BEING NEGOTIATED
BY YOUNG THIEVES.

Fearing that miscreants were striv-
ing TO cause wrecks by stealing triple
valves from the air brake appliances
on freight cars. Oregon Short Line Of
ficials recently ordered rigid investi-
cation into the cause of the Gripping
of thirty-two cars, and asked the as
sistance of the police in the effort 10
unravel the mystery. II was discov-
cred yesterday that the trouble was
caused by a gang of boy thieves. oper-
ating under the direction of a Salt
Lake Fagin, who conducts a junk
shop.
Three boys were arrested yesterday
afternoon by Policeman Carlson and
charged with the theft of metal from
the railroad. The junk dealer, who is
said to be responsible for the opera
lions of the alleged youthful GRIM
inals win be taken into custody on
Monday.
As all Of the young prisoners are I'M
der age, they will be sent to the iu-
venile court. They are Andrew w
Edgar, II years old. of S41 West Third
North street: William LettefaiT. Il
years old, of $40 North Seventh West
street, and Leon Foster. II years Old
Of $40 West Third North street.
1t is alleged that the three boys have
confessed to the police.
Trouble With Brakes.
The first intimation that thieves
were stripping Oregon Short Line
freight cars was received several
weeks ago when train crews reported
that they were having trouble with
the air breaks, because of the disap-
pearance of triple valves and other
to he 2 hr-uc
ly necessary to sidetrack loaded cars
when trains were on the point Of leav-
ing the railroad yards.
As the tampeTing with the air
brakes was a serious matter the rail-
road officials at once took UP the mat
ter and made an effort to place the re-
sponsibility. Various employees whose
duty it is to see that the air brakes
are i'm proper condition, were placed
in an unpleasant light. and TO shield
themselves from unmerited blame.
they did all they could to assist In
solving the mystery.
In addition to the danger Of wrecks
resulting from the removal of parts of
the air brakes. the railroad company
would have had to pay fine OF SlOO
for each car that left its yards with
out the complete air brake Appliances.
As thirtv-two cars were crippled with
in the past few weeks. this would
have meant loss 10 the company OF
| So. eco. in addition to the value OF the
metal carried off.
Other Parts Removed.
| Marks upon the freight cars indicat-
! cd that parts of the air brakes had
| been unIOosened and removed by per
| sons who had acquired great taciltY
/ in the work. Chains and other pieces
I of metal had also been torn OFF. As
! some of these pieces of metal were not
| attached to the air brakes, the I'M
! preston grew that the thetts were not
/ due to miscTeants who wished to cause
/ wrecks. but to petty Dilferers. who
( were carrying off the metal TO sell II
/ to junk dealers.
| THE report that boys had been seen
skuIking through the railroad yards at
night pointed TO the fact that they
| we're the troublesome offenders.
| After working three days upon the
| case. Policeman Carlson. assisted by
| SnaciaI Agent Jones and Waterman
| short of the Oregon Short Line,
! learned that d gang OF iole boys mao
a dug-out along the banks OF the Jof-
dan river. in North SAT- Lake anu
that they were also in the haDlt OF
nutting up a tent on the spot they mad
| eeIected for their rendezvous. Persons
passing this camp reported that they
/ had seen the boys heating pieces OF
metal in a fire which they had kindled
near the river. After heating the
metal. it was said. the boys smashed
il into small pieces
Taken to headquarters
II was then learned that tent had
been stolen from the fair grounds about
two weeks ago. A watch was kept
and yesterday afternoon six boys were
seen at Fourth North and Sixth West
streets. carrying a tent. The Edgar
boy had the canvas upon his back and
the Foster boy carried the poles. The
police auege that this tent was the one
that had been stolen from the fail
grounds
The boys were taken TO police mead
quarters, where they were carefully
questioned They made statements. II
is said which connected the Edgar
Foster and Lettefair boys with the
thefts of metal from the railroad.
These three boys we're locked in ths
boys division of the city jail Ins
other three boys were released.
Policeman Carlson, after spending
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