Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-28
This was an exciting moment. NJ

the door, demand admittance, and charge
him on the spot with the crime of which
suspected him. But slight distrust OF
my physical ability to cope with him sin
ole handed in case of resistance, which
would almost certainly follow if my sus-
picions were correct and the lateness of
the hour rendering improbable that L
could obtain and should it be necessary +;
these considerations prevented me from
carrying out my first intentions, and when
the unconscious object Of my scrutiny put
out his light and left II depot, / went in
an opposite direction to my quarters de-
termined, however, to give him but one
more chance to continue his depreda-
tions.
The next night he robbed his last mail
bag. Obtaining an interview with the
Superintendent of the railroad, l for the
first time laid the facts before him, fol
the purpose of securing some assistance
in the prosecution of my plans which he
only could render. / wished him to pro.
vide place of concealment in that re-
tired part of the depot where the mails
had been taken on the preceding evening
: and as empty cars were frequently lefi
standing over night upon some Of the un'
: occupied tracks, it was arranged to leave
: car near the place mentioned for my
exclusive occupancy. From the loop
hole of this retreat could determine
: with some accuracy the nature of suct
mysterious movements as had before
witnessed in that vicinity.
Lest the baggage room should be cho
sen this time as the scene of operation
discreet friend was stationed near tha
point about the time the mails were
bIought over from the office, in order t.
head off the suspected functionary.
1
For the purpose Of allowing as mucl
time as possible, the conductor of tht
train which was to take that mail haC
been telegraphed to come in a little be
: hind time
Certain money packages had been pre-
: pared, and everything being in readiness
| took my post of observation in the emp
; ty car just before the mails came from
the post Office. / had not long been sta
toned, before I heard the familiar sount
of the baggage truck, and in momen
more the baggage master appeared, trun
! ding along his load of mails, and coming
to stand upon the platform within ff
! teen feet ofmy watchful eye.
That eye saw rapid work for few mo
ments! Hasty passes of the right hant
between the mouth of one Of the mai
bags Gas it appeared in the dim light tc
be) and the rapacious pockets of the sacl
overcoat, showing clearly for what pur
pose the mails had been thus taken ou
Of the way, and the well known click o
mail lock informed me that the opera
/. ton was concluded, and that the momen
had arrived for action on my part.
I think railroad car was never emp
tied of Its contents In much less tim
than on the present occasion. And m,
very informal introduction to the whole
, sale dealer in the original packages wa
, about as sudden. In fact, he had hardl,
set down his barrow, after removing it
few yards to its original position, before
was addressing him.
In the midst of the rifing process jus
described, l had seen him open the doc
of a small apartment near him, ligh
shining for moment while the door wa
open. And it ocvurred to me that al
accomplice might be secreted there TO
the purpose Of receiving the stolen poper
ty. Accordingly | remarked that woul
\ like to have him accompany me for mo
ment into his room on private business
: to which he readily assented, neithe
knowing me nor having any suspicion c
the nature of my business, for otherwis
i. he might not have SO cheerfully complies
!, with my request.
e On opening the door / discovered
I person within who appeared to be who'll
unoccupied except in smoking a cigal
: Thinking it probable that he was in som
way connected with the robberies, | cor
sidered it prudent to obtain assistance be
: fore making known the object of this in
d terview, and accordingly spoke to thre
If or four persons who had been attracted t
e the place by the unwonted movement
Il requesting one of them to call one of th
+ police officers, some of whom were ger
orally in the vicinity of the railroad ST
; ton.
is During this delay, and in order TO pre-
II vent any attempt to escape, put serie
S, of questions to the baggage master, calcr