The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-02-03
LONG BRIDGE IS
.DYNAMITED BY
YOUNG GERMAN
Railroad Trestle Spanning
St. Croix, Connecting
Maine and New Bruins
wick, Damaged BY Explo-
sion - Suspected Party
Carried Small German In
His Pocket.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Vanceboro, Me-, Feb. Am attempt
to destroy the railroad bridge span
ming the St. Croix river which forms
the international boundary line be-
tween Eastern Maine and New Bruins
wick, was made early today. One of
the three spans of the structure was
blown UP by dynamite.
The attack caused excitement on the
New Brunswick side, wnere rumors
of a German plot spread rapidly and
resulted in an immediate investiga-
ton. Inquiry was also begun on the
American side and that led to the ar
rest at a local hotel of a man who
gave his name as Norne. According
to the police the prisoner said he was
an officer in the service of Ger
many but refused to divulge his rank.
The police assert he admitted that he
exploded the dynamite under a Sec
ton of the bridge and that the dyna-
mite cap and plan Of the bridge were
found in his pockets.
Horne, according to the police, de-
scribed himself as 81 years old. He is
five feet, eleven inches in height, and
Weighs about 200 pounds. He is
smooth shaven.
CONFESSED TO PLAN.
The arrest was made by Deputy
Sheriff George w. Ross. He was re-
moved to the United States Immigra-
ton rooms where he was closely
guarded. When taken into custody
Horne made no resistance, but was
alleged to have told the officers the
circumstances of the dynamiting. No
papers were found to identify him.
In a pocket he carried a German flag.
Asked why he had dynamited the
bridge, the prisoner, the police say
made the simple explanation that his
country was at war with Great Brit
ain and that Canada was part OF
the enemy's country. He said, accord
ing to the officers, that he came from
New York last Saturday. Immediate
ly after discharging the explosive he
returned to the hotel.
The bridge Is the connecting Ink
between the Maine Central and the
Canadian Pacific tracks, the Canadian
Pacific having traffic rights over the
former road from Mattawamkeag to
the boundary. It Is the through route
from upper and western Canada to
the Maritime provinces, directly con-
st. John and Halifax.
In the winter season, st. John, N. Is.
is the principal eastern port Of Can
ada and thither have come from Mon
+real and the west great quantities OF
provisions and other munitions or war
for shipment. They have passed over
the bridge which 1t was sought 10
DESTROY This is the most direct route
from the west.
The loss of the bridge would de-
lay, but not interrupt the transporta-
ton of war materials to the coast.
Horne was made a Maine prisoner.
To avoid possible complications, local
authorities made no further move
pending advice from washington Tne
Canadian authorities indicated they
would Immediately make representa-
lions at Washington with a view 20
extraditing Horne on the gruond that
the dynamiting had been done on the
Canadian side OF the border.
Railroad officials, after careful ex-
animation Of the bridge, declared the
explosion had been a failure as far as
damage was concerned. The founda-
ton of the span was not injured and
repairs could be made within day.
Van Horn later in the day said he
was a German reservist with the rank
of captain, that he had been IN Mex
leo and had vain1y sought to join his
colors.
Oficers say he denied having dyna-
mite In his possession in Maine. He
said he had received 1t from man
he never before had seen, after which
he placed the dynamite and set 1t OF.