Ligonier Valley Rail Road Newspaper Articles
We have compiled over 1,400 newspaper articles that mention the Ligonier Valley Railroad, or related subjects. The articles were originally published starting in 1873 and our collection runs through 1995. Enjoy!
Ligonier Echo
Wednesday, September 30, 1896
Bloodshed And Shooting
L.V.R.R. Men And Dixon Huston And Sons Have A Fight
The Ligonier Valley railroad passes through the farm of Dixon Huston just west of town. It seems there is an embankment which was thrown up by the railroad company near where the railroad crosses Mill Creek. This embankment Mr. Huston claims was an injury to his property and an intrusion on his land and he had the embankment torn out a few days ago, and yesterday morning Geo. Senft, superintendent of the railroad, with a number of employees were engaged in replacing the embankment when an altercation arose between the railroad people and Dixon Huston and his sons, John W. and Joseph, who tried to prevent the work from going on and tried to drive the railroad people away. An all-round fight occurred. John W. Huston had a double barreled shot gun and emptied
both barrels at Geo. Senft, some of the shot taking effect in his legs. Mr. Senft was also knocked down with a club in the hands of Dixon Huston and received a severe gash on the head. Wm. Stoffer, railroad policeman, was hit on the head with a shot gun by John W. Huston, and John Rhay, foreman of repair hands, was struck over the head with a club by Dixon Huston, making several ugly gashes. On the other side it is claimed by the Hustons that revolvers were flourished by some of the railroad people with threats of shooting. John W. Rhay struck old Mr. Huston on the head with a club cutting an ugly wound above the temple. John W. and Joseph Huston escaped unhurt.
Joseph Huston had a Winchester rifle with thirteen cartridges in it but he did not shoot. The Hustons were finally overpowered by the railroad men and brought to the office of I. M. Graham, J. P., where great excitement prevailed for a while but was finally quieted down by policeman Wolfe and others. Informations were made on oath of Geo. Senft against John W. Huston for felonious assault and battery and shooting with intent to kill and against Dixon Huston for felonious assault and battery and on oath of Wm. Stoffer vs. John Huston for felonious assault and on oath of John W. Rhay vs. Dixon Huston, felonious assault and battery. Bail was given in all cases for a hearing to be held next Thursday afternoon.
Informations will also be made in the near future by the Hustons against some of the railroad men.
It is an unfortunate affair and should have been avoided as there is law enough to give every man his rights without resorting to force.