Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-23
TIC s.Eaui-noxlous'' Line.

A00 E4uh~MO
In the exact centre of the Niagara
suspension bridge is mark familiar
~ known by the habitudes of that
neighborhood as the ''dead line"
across which, to certain unfortunates,
it is almost sure danger to pass. This
line is supposed tOdivide the jurisdic-
ton of the United States from that Of
the dominion OF Canada. Although,
in reality, the bridge itself is neutral
ground, yet customs law gives the
line imaginary dangerous qualities.
On the bridge, at almost any time,
men may be seen loitering-toall APP
pearances being common tourists, or,
perhaps, dwellers in the vicinity Of
the structure. These individuals, If
they are closely watched, it will be
seen, do not cross the entire length Of
the bridge, but stop at or about the
''dead line" and converse with 9TH
ers, q little distance off, Oh the other
side. Tho men are debtors, Of either
one or the othercountry, who, through
immediate necessities or the dread OF
Sheriff's officers, have been obliged to
step across into the friendly other
side, and await a settlement with
their creditors, or for something to
turn up" On Sundays, when civil
law for debt is void, these gentry
make point of visiting their late
country, and many are the tricks
played to keep them there till the
arrival of the Monday. fla quarrel
can be picked with one of them at
all, it is done by some bully hired for
the purpose, and then both are ar
rested and locked up for hearing.
If he drives out some distance in the
country. his horse is famed, his wag-
on linch.pin removed, or his harness
cut. Oftentimes an unlucky wight
is thus entrapped; but generally, If
liquor Is avoided, the debtor man
ages to escape the pitfalls placed for
him to walk into.
AS a consequence, he gets careless,
and Is more easily caught. He will
cross the dead line and walk boldly
up to the other end of the bridge,
confident that he can retrace his steps
in time to avoid capture.
One thus careless, fine, active
young Scotchman, and perfect ath-
lete, was accustomed to boast of his
strength and agility as always able
to rescue him if caught; but one day
he was found nearly wanting. He
was fugitive from Canada, where
he owed large sums, but having
money to live upon, preferred, in a
careless, daredevil way, to live close
to his late home, instead Of moving
further back into the States.
He was accustomed TO walk to the
Canada end Of the bridge, where he
would chat with the officers there on
duty. A Canadian Sheriff defer
mined to capture him. Disgusting
himself and an assistant in women's
dresses, they came on the bridge at
the American end, and approached
their captive between him and free
dom. At last they were close upon
him, and the sheriff, placing his
hand upon the debtors shoulder,
proclaimed him his prisoner. The
athlete, however, was too much for
the law. Springing to his feet he
struck out right and left, and flooring
his would-be captors, made for the
dead line at full speed, ard crossedit
in safety. Unfortunately for the
sheriff, the law made him responsible
for the debts Of his late prisoner, as
he had allowed him to escape after
proclaiming him his prisoner. The
debts had therefore, to be paid by the.
sheriff, and he laid plans for ven-
geance.
The ScOtchman was very careful for
a few weeks, but caution wearing of,
a new plan was laid for his capture.
Along the bridge were stationed, at
that time, large hogsheads filled with
water for use in case Of fire, and the
Canadian sheriff managed to obtain
leave to empty several of these, and
place men therein. The debtor one
day sauntered by these watts and APP
preached the Canadian end. Inafew
minutes, turning his head, he saw
his captors in line across the bridge,
down upon him, and yielding
to the inevitable, he surrendered and
finally paid up his debts.
The devices used by the British
soldiers to desert are many. Lately
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