Year: 1870

ATTEMPT TO WRECK A TRAIN IN MASSACHUSETTS


EXCITING NARRATIVE.


The Boston Advertiser of yesterday morning
says attcmps to throw trains from tho
track OF the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad in the
town OF Franklin have been made within the past three
days. but through fortunate circumstance in the first
instance and the fahulness Of watchman In the see
ond instance the designs OF the wouldbe murderers and
robbers wero frustrated. young man named Wm NJ
Comey started from his home In Mill Village Tuesday
evening attend meeting OF the g. A. r. In the town
of Franklin, about three miles distant While crossing
the railroad track on way shorten the distance he
discovered sticking up between the rails long tie
sleeper, one end Of which was run down into cattle


Against this other sleepers piled crosswise OF
the track This was about mile from the station In
Franklin at which he the evening train for Boston,
already two hours behind time. He Immediately began
to remove the seepers and had barely succeeded IN get
ting the last one out OF the way when the train rushed
by almost lightning speed engineer and passengers
unconscious Of the danger which they had escaped The
delay and had run against the obstruction desruc-
ton OF e "1au & iv9 veT d le o bi wav we 70 fbe
town had gone but short distance when he espied
sSd SG not te tie darness Who they We're but he
spoke to them and received no reply.


ON Wednesday morning Mr.. COmcy came to Boston
and informed the officers Of the road of his adventure OF
the night before They requested him to Keep watch IN
the vicinity of the place where he had discovered the OBJ
strucOns, and this he agreed TO do guard was also
placed over other portions OF the road by the Company
and precaution taken to prevent any similar
attempts at destruction Yesterday morning Mr.. Comey
waking down the roadbed between the tracks when he
discovered some men at work in the same Locality where
he had found the slcepers on Tuesday evening.


lie crept cautiously toward them in the darkness, and
hid himself in some bushes within sight or their opera
tions and within hearing of their remarks. He saw
them pile a large Of ties upon the track, bracng
them In the manner az before, and then gather
large ocks and place on the top all Their nefarous
wofk being accomplished they down and waited for
the train 10 drinking occasionally from bottles IN
their possession. They remained here until about half
an hour after daylight had appeared, all the time
within sight OF Mr. Comey, who could do nothing but


when he started from home his wife told him he had
better take his revolver with him. but he replied that the
men would be fools enough to twice to the same
place and did not take any weapon. He now states
that he had had his revolver with him. he would have
shot the whole three while they were at work; and had
he done so public opinion would doubt have justified
him in his act. When the wouldbc murderers saw the
train, which the steamboat train with passengers
York about far of as the Franklin Station,
s wh S mot md e @ the eSSs na I ~fn @
CoIney Immediately jumped from his hiding place, and,
knwng that he could do nothing handed
moving the obstruction down the track toward the
swiftly approaching train.


Tearing OF red scarf which he wore on his neck, he
waved IT in the air as he ran signal OF danger The
seeing that their des were In danger OF being
at Mr. Comey bah went through the rim Of his hat,
and other cut through his coat sleeve slightly wound
kept on until his signal by the engineer, the
whistle sounded "down brakes" and the train was
stopped within feet Of the dangerous obstacle In s
way The obstrcons removed, and the train then
proceeded to Boston without further interruption.


No immediate pursuit made OF the scoundrels who
had takon woods but notice at once given TO
the proper officials and no pains or expense viii spared



be carefully guarded by the Company tO prevent any
similar obstruction In the future. Mr. Coney, whose
prompt and manly action cannot betoo highly praised,
states the paiply seen by him, and that
they In the town. They are doubtless
Williams old In inquty and their design was
probably to the safes Of the Adams Express Company
oto obtain any other booty they might lay their hands
on In the midst Of the destruction they had made.


Between and o'clock yesterday morning. or shortly
before Mr.. comey saw the men ON the railroad me
tailorf shop Mr. John Davidson, near the station in
Franklin WAS broken into by some parties and. guam
tty Of ready made clothing was stolen therefron An
old lady hearing NOISE In the passage-~ay neanthe
shop arose aud made an outcry, which alarmed the
robbers that they away. There Is no doubt that
thc ~ road as they we're heard 20 old woman
who hsd inerfered with their operations caught as
thesc coir boodcd villains will receive, without doubt
the extreme penalty OF the law.