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About The Sioux County journal. (Harrison, Nebraska) 1888-1899 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 22, 1896)
.1 -..,- The Sioux County Journal, VOLUME IX. IIARKISOX, NEBRASKA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1890. NUMBER 7. 0 - . a Ik A n w y MIKE had Ih-ii sitting on the pile of ties near the water tank ever since the fast mall shot by In the early morning. Twice Iip had tried to clip under a car of one of the many passenger trains which pulled up at the tank. He an adept at rtdliijr en the truck, and In hi two year i a tramp bad traveled thousands of miles, curled up over the spinning wheels or stretched out on the platfonn between the engine tender and the mall car. Mike was only 15 years old, but he had Been nearly every State In the country, and knew all of the large cities Intimately. This morning Mike felt that he had encountered a streak of bad luck. Ev ery time he sllpied under a car the brakeman or conductor caught him and hauled him out with rough hands and rougher language. Hut Mike wan used to this sort of treatment, and took It as a matter of course. The afternoon was well along toward evening when the west-bound limited express came around the curve, and the engine stopped under the huge goose neck pipe which served to pass the water from the reservoir to the tauk of the tender. Mike's keen, bright eyes watched every movement of the train crew, although he appeared to have no Interest In the train, Its crew or pas sengers. Luck was with him this time. As soon as the hissing cylinders sent the first Jets of white steam over the ditches Mike sprang from the ties, and In a second was flattened out on the platform between the mall car and the engine. There he was safe until the next stop, unless the fireman saw him, for there was no door to the platform from the car. For an hour the train spwl over the smooth rails, through farm binds and past towns and villages, rounding curves and coasting dowu grades. Mike kat at ease on the steps, caring nothing for the hot cinders which rained down when the fireman fed his hungry charge with coal. Just as the train passed through a deep cut the engine whistle gave two sharp blasts, and the grind ing of the brake slioes on the wheels told Mike thut the engineer had applied the air brakes. "Something's wrong," said Mike to himself, when he felt the car shiver and jump under the pressure of the powerful brakes., "He's glvln' her all the air she'll stand." He did not dare to swing out and look ahead, for he knew Hint the con ductor and evtry brakeinau on the train were doing that, and he would Ik? seen. He was well acquainted with the coun try, and knew that there was no town, Ide track, water tank or stopping place within ten miles of thp cut. The train slowed up Willi Jerks, ami. Just as it came to a standstill, Mike Jumped from the steps and dove Into a clump of bushes. He glanced toward the engine and saw on the track, not fifty feet from the pilot, a pile of ties on the rulls. At the same instant he heard a pistol shot, and then from the bushes on both sides of the track a score of men rushed to ward the train. Two of them, with re volvers In their bauds, sprang Into the engine cab. The engineer seized a long-handled monkey wrench and the fireman grasp ed an Iron bar, but before they could 'use them they were shot down and thrown from the cab. Hoarse shouts nnd pistol shots mingled with the scream of women and the yells of men. Half a dozen of the train robin-rg attacked the heavy side doors of the express car, and others entered the passenger cars and sleepers with re volvers In their hands. The men who were trying to break dow n the door of the express car with a sledge hammer called to the messenger Inside to open the door, but they re ceived a shot from a rifle which sent a bullet through the heavy oak. It struck one of the robbers, and he fell to tint ground. "Bring that dynamite," shouted oii of the men. Mike'a heart seemed to rise In bin throat, but he did not dare leave the bushes. In a few minutes there whs h loud report, and Mike saw that the door was shattered. The messenger was struck down, and In a short time the train robbers luid rolled the express safe out of the car and carried It Into the wood. All of this time the two men who shot 11. e engineer nnd fireman remained In the engine cab. The engineer had fall en near Mike's hiding place. He was groaning with pain, and Mike crept to hi in. "Are you killed?" asked Mike. "I alii't no robber. I nm a tramp and wa riding on the platform." No," said the engineer. "I am not killed. I am shot through the arm, and guess my leg Is broken." Just then one of (he robbers, Who seemed to be the leader, cried out: "Here, some of you fellows. Throw those ties off the track." "Get a good look at that fellow." whispered the engineer to Mike. "Look at him good, so you will know him again. l,ook at all of them. They flagged me In the cut, and I had to stop." Mike singled out the leader and men tally photographed every feature of his face, his clothing and hat. "I'll know him again," he said. By this time the ties were thrown Into the ditch, and the leader, giving a shrill whistle, yelled to the two men In the cab: "Give her steam and Jump." The engineer's pale face grew chalky white. He struggled to rise to his feet, but his leg bent under him. Fall ing, with a groan, be whispered to Mike: "lh you know anything about an en gine?" Mike nodded. "I know how to fire and I know how to use the air," said he. "Get on that train. Get on the front platform. Hurry, the train is moving. Climb aboard and over the tender, shut off steam, and give her every bit of air." Mike darted from the bushes, and, catching hold of the railing, swung himself to the lower step of the front platform. As he did this the two men sprang to the ground. One of them saw Mike. "Come out of that," he cried, and with a quick motion he leveled his r volver and fired. Mike felt something hot across his check, ami then his face felt as though some one hud drawn a red hot Iron across his skin. He put his hand to the place, and when he drew It: away It was covered with blood. The en gine puffs were coming faster and faster, and the train was gathering speed rapidly. Mike swung himself TAK KX TO THE (iKXKHAL M AN AO til. out from the steps ami looked back. and saw tlsQ wu men disappearing In the woods. J lien he clambered over the tender, and In a few minutes was In the cub. The train was rushing along at fu.i speed, and the locomotive rocked and swayed like a Imat In a slorm. Mike had spent the fifteen years of his life around railroad yards. All of the rail road men at the Junction had come to his father's funeral, for Mike'a father had been one of the best known section bosses on the line. That was two vears back, and Mike had been gathering rail road knowledge ever since. So he look ed at Die steam gauge as soon as he reached the cub. It showed 12.1 pounds of steam. Next lie looked at the water glass and saw thai there was plenty of water In the Ixjller. He scaled himself on the green cush ion which spread over the engineer bench. The throttle valve was wld" open, and he pushed In the lever until ttie locomotive sensibly lost seed. Then he pulled the reversing lever back a few notches and the huge machine was under control. He made up bis mind to run to the next, town, and after a twenty-minute ride he could Just see the smoke of a factory In the place. A shout liehlnd him caused him to look back. He In voliuitnrlly lowered his head, for on the roof of the mall car were two mall clerks, a brakeman and the conductor of the train, each pointing a revolver toward his head. "Pon't shoot!" he cried. "! am no train robla-r. I am only doing what the engineer told me to do," and he reached for the whistle cord and sound ed the station whistle. In a few minutes all of 'he men .verc In the cab, and Mike began setting the air brakes, He did It so well that the long train came to a full stop at the platform, and the .passengers flocked out of the cars nnd surrounded the. engine. The mall clerks told them about Mike, and a passenger took up a contribution for him. In the meantime the conductor had telegraphed the story of the hold-up to the train dispatcher, and In ten nrlzates after a freight locomotive, which stood on the siding, steamed toward the place where the robbers had stopped th train. The engineer and fireman were brought back to the town, where the doctor said neither was badly Injured, and the next day Mike was taken to the office of the general manager of the road by the conductor of the train. Most of the train robbers were arrest ed, and when they were brought Into court Mike was able to Identify the leader and the two men who had cap tured the engine. Soon after he was sent to school, and the railroad com pany paid all bills. San Francisco Tost. Oliver Mas Literal. The manager of one of the Chicago express companies tells a good story. "We have a big, strong Irishman driv ing one of our teams. Yesterday be waa sent with a larrel of flour to the home of a woman on the South Side. Arrived there, the driver took the barrel on bte back and started up the stairs, his ex press book In hte coat pocket. "Half way up the second flight of stains the Irishman came upon a wom an, scrubbing. "'Will ye be after tellln' me where Mrs. Mi-Gowan lives?' he asked. '"I am Mrs. McGowan," said the scrubber-a statement which waa Ir relevant 'and I live upstairs..' "'When- will I lave this Imr-rel of flour?' asked the driver. " 'Take It up as far as youse can, and thin put It down. I'll attlnd to It,' replied Mix. .McGowan. So he went on up, and when there were no mine stairways to conquer he looked about nnd saw a ladder leading through an open scuttle to the roof. Up this ladder he climbed, out on the roof he steeM-d and then, fludlng he could go no higher without a balloon, he deposit ed the barrel and came down. "On the stairway though nearly at the foot-he found the woman again, and she signed the delivery book, but before he got to the office Mrs. Mc Gowan was there demanding an expla nation. The driver was calU-d In as soon as he returnx-d. " 'When! dM you put that barrel of flour? demanded the official. ' 'Where she tould me.' " 'Where did you tell him to put It, madam?' " 'I told him to take It up as far as he could, an' ' "'An' Ol did.' Interrupted the honest driver. 'If she'll look on the roof she'll find it.' ". Io Horses Weep? Ho horses weep? Is a question dis- cuss-ed by the Admiralty and Horse Guards Gazette. It tells us that it Is a well-authenticated case of a horse's weeping during the Crimean war. On the advance to the heights of Alma a battery of artillery became exposed to the fire of a concealed Itusstan bat tery, and In the course of a few min utes It was nearly destroyed, men and horses killed and wounded, guns dis mounted and limbers broken. A solitary horse, which had appar ently escaped unhurt, was observed, standing with fixed gaze upon an ob ject close beside him! this turned out to lie lils hue muster, quite dead. The poor animal, when a trooper was dispatched to recover him, was found with copious tears flowing from his eyes; and If was only by main force that lie could be dragged away from the spot, nnd his unearthly cries to get back to his master were heartrending. Apropos of the intense love that cav alry horses have for music, a corre spondent of the Gazette writes that when the. Sixth Dragoons recently changed their quarters a mure belong ing to one of the troopers was taken so HI as to lie unable to proceed on the Journey the following morning. Two days later another detachment of the same regiment, accompanied by the band, arrived. The sick mare was in a loose box, but hearing the martial strains, kicked a hole through the side of her Imix. and making her way through the simp of a tradesman, took her place hi I he troop la-fore she whs secured and brought buck to the sta ble. Hut the excitement had proved too great, and the subsequent exhaus tion proved 'fa tub-Philadelphia. Times. Maj. Hhlrts, of Course. Famous old Gov. Henry A. Wise of Virginia was directly or Indirectly the source of many a good story. Here Is one t tin t I do not think has found Its way Into print: One day at a political gathering he was approached by a well dressed Individual who shook hands warmly with him. The Governor was a bit bothered and confessed he could not recall the handshaker's name. 'Why, you must remember me, Gov ernor," said the latter. "I'm from Itlch- mond. I made your shirts." 'Why, of course," said the Governor, with all a politician's tact. "Gentle men, this Is my very excellent neigh bor, Maj. Hhlrta." Washington Post. ( Trout Over Two Keet Long. A trout of the Lochleven specie weighing Jl pounds and measuring 2 feet 7 Inches In length and lt4 Inches In girth, was recently taken In Klug hnrn Loch, As aoon aa any one commences taking n prominent part In anything, people commence picking at him. Honest, Would You? Were you about to settle down And build yourself a cozy nest. You would not have it in a town Whose streets are always mud-distressed. Kconomy in Good Hnala The advantages of good roads are pretty generally conceded now, but tha practlcuJ work of making them la not progressing as it should. The fear of tremendous expense and bonded In debtedness still abides with the rural population, with which the remoniblI lty for the roads rests. This fear has led to the defeat of road leglnlation In the past, and will continue to oppose uch legislation In the future, until It baa been allayed, as It may be when the farmers are educated to understand that a really good road Is a cheap and not a dear highway. French Roads. The excellence of French roads Is well known. The materials are brought from the nearat quarries and placed at the side of the route surveyed. In order that the full amount contracted for may be delivered, the stone must lie heaped In angular piles of prismatic shape and fixed dimensions. These heaps, placed at a given distance from one another, are afterward visited by an official inspector, and must, In all In stance, fit exactly beneath a skeleton irame carried by him. The material ii usually marble, flint stone or gravel, and whatever is used must be the best quality and cleansed from all foreign substances. The stone nitwit be broken so that each piece may pass through a ring 2 Inches In diameter. It Is then spread evenly over the road, the insterticee being carefully filled In with small pieces, so that the whole Is smooth and free from abrupt eminences and deprefislonK. A steam roller then crushes and further evens the whole, after which a superficial layer of clay and earth completes the work. Konds are classed as national roads which are the main arterU-s of the system connecting most distant parts of the country and are construct ed and maintained by the department; highway and public roads which are the property of the commune through which they run. but are in practice made and repaired by flic department from taxes levied on the commune, sup plemented by a depirrtment subsidy; cross roads which are maintained by sums derived from the ordinary reven ue of the commune, occasionally supple mented by additional taxation; and country roods which are kept In order by the commune, except they are In jured by unusual traffic, when un In demnity may be claimed by the com munal administration. For the pur pose of maintaining the common roads the inhabitants living in the district are obliged to work three days in each year or pay an amount equivalent to the compensation of the lnlmrcr for throe days. The Frilled States Consul at Havre says that French pavements Increase In excellence with age. In France, he says, all roads have perpetual atten tion. If from weight, ralu or other muses n hollow rut or sink is formed, It Is repaired at once. Where the space to be repnlnil Is of limited area the rolling of the new coating is left to the wide tires of the heavy carts, but In the case of extended areas a steam roll er is lii-nught into use. Every carrying mid market enrt In France Is a road- maker Instead of a rut-maker, for It has tires usually from four inches to six Inches In width. It Is customary to use tires for heavy teaming six Inches wide, and the forward axles of four- heeled wagons are mude shorter than the hind axles, so that the four wheels roll a portion of the road two feet wide at each passage. Such wagons Improve rather than Injure the condition of the road, and are easier for the horses, the usual load for each horse lit France being two Jo throe tons on hard roads. Most Important. An instance of the ruling passion strong even tiuder the prospect of death, comes from H. L. Clinton's legal reminiscences, entitled "Extraordinary Cases." In 1H40 Mrs. Bodlne was tried in the fltate of New York, oti the charge of murder, She was about thirty-six years old, a handsome woman, attrac tive In manner and sparkling In con rarsatlon. Mr. Barnutn had placed In his New York museum a figure which he declared to be a correct likeness of her, but It represented her as old sev enty or over bent with age, shriveled and haggard. Mrs. Bodlne did not appear to lm In the least disturbed as to the result of her trial, but the existence of the wtx figure gave her the most harrowing anxiety. She could calmly face the prospect of an Ignominious death on the scaffold, but she could not Imperil her reputation for beauty by suffering tho existence of that wax figure. She asked her lawyer If there were i no possible redress. If she could net prosecute Baruuui for libel; and as he did not wish to say anything to dis apjsrint her, and thus shake her self ccutrol on the eve of the trial, he told hr that It would be unwise then to prosecute the showman, but that after ihe verdict In ber caxe had been given, her counsel would consider the matter. The last day of the trial was an im pressive one. The court room was packed, and the interest of the specta tors seemed to grow every minute, more Intense. The court solemnly charged the Jury, amid the breathless attention of those who were present. Mrs. Bo dine, whose nerves had for a fortnight been strung to their utmost tension, and who had yet preserved her calmness throughout, broke dowu and wept. At the close of the charge the jury re tired, and It was announced that, when they agreed, Uie court would again con vene, on the ringing of the court bouse bell. This was about the middle of the af ternoon, and in the evening the bell rang. In an Instant almost, the court room was filled. The prisoner was brought In, ghastly pale and trembling with excitement. She was told to stand up. "Gentlemen of the Jury," said the clerk, "have you agreed upon your ver dict?" "We have," said the foreman. "Prisoner, look upon the jury. The jury will look upon the prisoner. What say you, gentlemen? Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?" "Not guilty." Mrs. Bodine dropped into her seat, and burst into a flood of tears. In stantly she leaned over and said to her lawyer: "Can't I sue Karnum now?" Tore the W runic Coat. Royalty dearly loves Its fun, and no where are practical Jokes more In vogue than in the palaces of Old World rnon archs, says the New York Journal. No one. It Is said, Is fonder of practical joking than the Prince of Wales. His private secretary, Sir Francis Knollys, has, in times gone by, been called upon to endure with good humor and seren ity many a trying experience. One day not long ago, Sir Francis got the laugh on the would-be joker and gave him a taste of his own medlclue. Among the prince's friends was a famous sportsman, Capt. "Kay" Mid dleton. whose favorite trick used to betoapproach from behind some unsus pecting man and seize his coat talis, which he would wrench apart In such a manner as to split the garment up the back. At Suudrlngham Sir Francis took pains to offer hliimelf as the victim and butt for the gallant "Bay." When the men retired to the smoking room after the princess and ladles were gone, he took up his place in front of the tire, bent his head, and appeared entirely lost In thought. Ills attitude was too inviting not to appear to the jocular instincts of Capt. Middletoti," who, after asking the prince's permission to leave the curd table for a moment, crept up softly to Sir Francis, suddenly seized hold of the tails of his dress coat, and with a jerk, tore it apart from waist to collar. I'nliko most of Bay's victims, Sir Francis took the matter in exceeding good spirits. Indeed, he laughed, and appeared greatly to enjoy the fun. Somewhat 8-stonishcd the prince ami the men preseut inquired how It was that Sir Francis hud treated the matter with such indifference. "That is very easy to explain, sir." was the reply. "The coat Is not mine. 1 hud heard of Middleton's fondness for this particular form of amusement, and, accordingly, when I came dowu stairs Just now to the smoking room, I took the precaution of going into his room and pu'ting on one of his dress coats, which was lying on his bed." There was a hurricane of Irrepressible laughter as he uttered tlcse words, and the merriment was intertilled by the disconcerted appearance of Capt. Mid dletou. who was bitterly annoyed to have thus destroyed oue of his best evening coats. How Many Pounds? A correspondent sends to the Youth's companion a "true story," which could only be true, perhnis, In this age of college athletics. A group of people were discussing a recent novel. Some liked It, some thought it trashy or worse. "For my part," said a lady, "I found It highly Interesting. I especially liked John, the brother of the heroine, you remember. Not a very amiable char acter; a little coarse, no doubt, but well sketched in, and decidedly strong." At this point a young collegian, win nnd taken no part in the conversation, suddenly found his voice. ' now much can he lift?" he asked, lu all soberness. Illinois as Coal Producing Hi ale. Illinois Is the next State to Penn sylvania In the production of coal. The mines are In the southern part of the Rtato and employ 3r,fMX) men. New labor-saving methods are constantly being Introduced, one of the latest be ing the rutting machine, with which one man can do the work of fifteen. It Is a matter of regret that so many people who make fools of themselves, are of age. EGYPTIAN SNAKE-CHARMER. Fascinating and Poaaibly True Story of Kaatern Cunning. The following story of a "snake charmer" is borrowed from the New York Sun, which In turn borrows it from a Paris paper. The reader Is ex Iiected to use his own discretion aa to believing or explaining it. The Inci dent is said to have taken place la Cairo, where the narrator, Monsieur Yigouroux, while walking the streets) with a friend, fell In witn a "mlld-look-lng young man" who professed to be a snake charmer. The two visitors en gaged him to come to their hotel the next day, and give tnem an exhibition of bin powers. Guards were stationed around the building to prevent the charmer from getting into It before the appointed time. When he arrived he was led into the first courtyard. He was asked If there were any snakes there. "Yes," he replied, "a great many." As a precautionary measure he was conducted into an Interor court In the center of the palace. There he was asked if he could catch a snake. Tho charmer whistled for a few seconds, and then listened attentively. "Yes," said be, "there Is a snake on this side," polnring to the wall. A bar gain was then made with him, the rate being a shilling a snake. He immedi ately went to work with the air of a man who understood hie business and was perfectly sure of the result. Standing In the center of the court, gazing at the wall where he said the reptile was concealed, he began to re cite a prayer or conjuration in Arabk.-, in which lie addressed the serpent, say ing In substance that everything and every creature must yield to the power of God. He also Invoked Solomon and some celebrated Mussulman person ages. While he was reciting this formula he sometimes stood perfectly straight, sometimes he leaned forward, and last ly he fell on his knees. When he had finished he picked up a little rod that lay beside him, and scratched the wall with It, advancing toward the door of the building leading to the court. At the door he stopped and said: "Here he is; come and look at him." The party advanced, and on a line with his arm at the place where he had directed the rod, they distinctly saw the head of a snake protruding from a hole in the wall. The snake charmer grabbed the head and pulled out a long, thin, and wriggling reptile. He made it fasten Its fangs in his gar ment. Then he pulled violently and showed the snake's teeth In the stuff. At last he threw the reptile on the ground, excited it, and tossed It into his leather bag. "How did you know," he was asked, "that there was a snake In that wall?" "I smelt him," was the answer. And certainly there seemed to be no room to suspect a trick. One of the party remarked that the charmer might possibly have snakes concealed in his clothes. The fellow immediately threw off his blue blouse, which was his only covering, and shook it in the presence of the assemblage. He was asked if there were any more snakes In that court. After a moment's inspection b'' replied: ; "In this wall there is a big one and a little one." He was told to catch the little one first. He recited his prayer, and added to it a command to the big snake to lie still while he gaptured the little one. Iien he proceeded with his wand alon the 'wall, as before. When he reached the door he called us, saying, "Here he Is!" : The head was sticking out of the hole. He grabbed It, pulleu out the snake, and broke its fangs in the manner described above. But the reptile bit him Is the , arm and drew blood. The bite didn't bother him. He threw the snake on the ground among the spectators, who stood In utter amazement. Then he went at work again. It. was the big snake's turn now. He was yanked out like the other two. Not withstanding the apparent impossibil ity of fraud, the thing wag so surpris ing that doubts were still expressed. "Letjilincome into the garden," said one of the spectators, "and eatoh snakes there; then we will be convinced." The charmer was led out Into the gar den. Near a heap of rubbish and weeds he began to whistle; then he announced a snake. "Yes, there are two," said he. Then' stooping down he pulled one out, and, as he had left his leather bag In the courtyard, he put the head of the rep tile Into his mouth and held 1t thero while he secured the second. The Dale Harvest, Egypt Is the favored country of tho date, and it la said that more than two millions and a half of palms are there registered as fruit-bearing trees, and as a single tree will sometimes bear as much as four hundred weight of dates quoted last year at 812.50 In London, but this year, from over-abundant sup piles, not worth half It may be seen what an Important matter to the Egyp tian fellah Is his date harvest. Safe hove 1etler Ink. "Ink suitable for love letters" Is ad vertised by a Parisian stationer. It la made of a solution of Iodide of starch, and characters written with It entire ly fade In four weeks. 13 v.A?fte -rates' K-V f:' o