New-York daily tribune., 1858-10-12
4 CLEVER PRISONER--A CLEVERER
CONSTABLE.
From ThS Toron % Globe.

II will be remembered that about ak months ago a
man named Thomas Ratcf invcigled col,rel
woman named BloXam away from the city, on the pre-
tense that he about commencing business rs a
hote-keeper in Detroit, where he wOnli engage her
as cook. Upon reacii ing that city, Ratch stated his
intention of proceeding on 10 ~. LOUIS; but Mrs.
Boxsm, suspectng something was wrong dechnei
going further, and expressed wish To return to To-
routo Before she left Detroit, RatclH succeeded IN
robhng her Of her gold watch, and q quantity OF
goods and wearing apparel amounting IN all to about
$3.50. Mrs. Bloxam returned To Toronto, ana gave
information 10 the police regarding the robbery All
trace was lost of Ratclif until about month ago,
when dispatch was received at the police office 70
the effect that he had been apprehended IN Mohtrea
~, . charge of larceny Tho police Magistrate hav
ing sent a telegram that he was 10 be discharged
on Monday last, Constable Webster received
orders TO proceed to Montreal, with warrant
for Ratcff apprehension on the charge OF
robbng Mrs. Boxam. The prisoner beng handed
over To Ar. Webster, be was hand-cuiied ami both
lett by the D. m. Grand Trunk train for Toronto on
Wednesday evening. Ratclif appeared restless, and
seemed ann, yed at the sharp lookout kept upon him
by the constable. AT Kingston, where the tram
waited a short time to allow the passengers 10 get
some refreshments, katcIl wantei 10 get ont also,
but Mr. Webster would not allOs him. The prisoners
wiie had given him supply Of provisions, enough To
last the entire journey. Being refused, Ratclf en-
deayored 10 qdaTel with tine constable and used very
hard language toward him. calling the attention OF the
passef gr his condition. Finding that his keeper
was to be thrown II bis guard then pretended
10 be- asleep, ana continued quiet iOr about hour.
lie then apparently woke up and complained that he
felt cold he was allo wed to take seat still
companiea by Mr.. Webster, in the vicinity OF the
stove, where he remained quiet for short time. l.
was now about o'clock IN the morning, aud very
dark. Tie train approaching Napanee station,
ald running at the rate OF p miles hour, when Rat
cliff started up a hurried manner and rushed to the
door of the carriage ami succeeded in getting outside.
Mr. Webster Immediately y followed, and caught the
hatdle of the door before il could be closed. A
struggle then took place, and Webster managed %
pull the door open, but upon reaching the platform of
tie cHniege, he discovered to his great surprise that
Ratchh Tad jumped off the train With II zeal AMI
courage perfectly wonderful, Webster Immediately
followed, and, falling his hands and knees, for
tunatey received no injury, notwithstanding the rapid
rate al which the train going. lie was soon on
Bis feet, but could find trace of his prisoner in the
darkness. Listening attentvely for few minutes
however, be heard a slight groan, and walking 70 the
place from where lie magned the sound had come he
found RatcAh wing On MS face on the ground. He
turned lin over he did not speak, but soon dis
&C overrd that his prisoner also unhur. He then
coared him, and held him till daylight. Having dis
covered that he was within mile of Napanee stu
ou lie marched his prisoner 10 that place, where he
got assistance from the stGtion-master, Mr.. Dryden,
TO hendcuff Ratclh's HANDS behind his back. BJth
took Their seats on freight train which passed NdS
alec about clock yesterday morning, and reached
Toronto in safety about clock last evening" when
katclE was safely locked up. Mr.. Webster deserves
tie utmost credit for following his prisoner off the
tram, al the risk of hs life and the escape of his
prisoner and himself from injury certainly among the
most wonderful on record