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The Owosso Argus-Press Sept. 25, 1936

Detective Shot by Thugs Today

Ann Arbor Railroad Officer in Hospital With Shattered Shoulder

State and Ann Arbor Railroad police today are investigating the wounding of Dallas Belden, 35, of 707 Corunna avenue, an Ann Arbor railroad detective, who received a shotgun charge in the shoulder early this morning while exchanging fire with five men he found breaking into box cars on a siding in the Ann Arbor yards in Milan.

A report received at offices of the railroad here this morning said that Belden's condition is fair. He is in University Hospital at Ann Arbor. But meager details of the shootings were available to Ann Arbor officials here yet this morning. Clyde W. Peterson, chief of Ann Arbor detectives, expected to go to Ann Arbor today to conduct an investigation of the shooting, according to Parvin, general superintendent of the road.

Belden is not believed to be hurt dangerously, although his right shoulder is shattered, according to an Associated Press report of the shooting. The detective said he believed he had wounded two of the men, who escaped in a black sedan.

One of the men fired at Belden with a sawed off shotgun as he approached the box car the quintet were trying to break into, the detective said. Belden fired five shots in exchange. State police from the Ypsilanti barracks ordered rads leading into Toledo searched for the escaping gunmen.

In Detroit two men suspected of participating in the Milan gun battle escaped early this morning as two patrolmen were taking them to a station house, according to the AP report. Police forced the thugs' car to the curb and questioned the occupants. One of the suspects was taken into the police car while the other patrolman rode with the second bandit.

Upon reaching the McGraw precinct station Patrolman Birthelmer got out of the bandit car and the driver sped way. Patrolman Birthelmer got out of the bandit car and the driver sped away. Patrolman Frank Stephan's prisoner escaped as his captor tried to help Brithelmer stop the bandit car. The bandit automobile later crashed into a parked car but the driver escaped. Police found a dismantled shotgun which they said had been fired recently in the car.

Belden has been on the Ann Arbor Railroad detective force about a year and has lived here since being employed by the road.


Ludington Daily News Sept. 30, 1936

17 INJURED WHEN TRAINS HIT HEAD-ON

Officials of Ann Arbor Railroad Probe Accident Near Milan

MILAN, Oct. 1 – (AP) – Officials of the Ann Arbor railroad began an investigation today of a head-on-collision of two trains in which 17 persons were injured, four of them seriously.

The trains, a passenger southbound from Frankfort to Toledo and a northbound freight, met in a deep cut three miles north of here at Urania station, late Wednesday. The locomotive of the passenger train was derailed, and three cars of the freight were thrown off the tracks. One was telescoped.

Victor Parvin, of Toledo, general superintendent of the road, who was on the passenger train, said he could advance no reason for the mix-up which allowed both trains on the stretch of trackage but said he believed it was caused by “misunderstanding of orders on the part of the crews.”

Staff physicians of the Milan State Hospital, nearby gave first aid at the scene of the crash, and ambulances and private automobiles were used to take the injured to Ann Arbor hospitals.

Of 22 persons who received treatment, only four remained in hospitals today. They were: George Tracy, Owosso, car foreman of the freight, who was the most seriously hurt. His back was broken and he suffered a jaw fracture.

William Farrell, Owosso, engineer of the passenger train, right arm fractured and several rigs broken when he leaped from his cab after setting the brakes for the impact.

Leroy Longstreet, Owosso, fireman of the passenger train, who suffered a leg injury and possible internal injury when he leaped.

Mrs. Lola Whitmill, 61, of Marion, Mich., was severely bruised when she was thrown from her seat by the crash.

Parvin said the passenger train, which consisted of two combination coaches and the locomotive, was X ding only about 10 miles an hour as it entered the curve, in the deep cut. A heavy fog and rain had delayed the train.