Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-04-13
A Dead Line and its Meaning.

In the cX8CI CtUVcT VI tuC ANldSdId Oub-
pension. Bridge is mark Familiarity known
by the habitues of that neighborhood as
the "dead line," across which, to certain
unfurtunates, it is almost sure danger to
pass. This line is supposed to divide the
jurisdiction of the United States from that
of the Dominion of Canada. Although,
in reality, the bridge itself is neutral
ground, yet customs laws give the line
Imaginary dangerous qualities.
On the bridge, at almost any time, men
may be seen loitering-to all appearances,
being common tourists, or, perhaps, dwell
lers 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 others little
distance of, on the other side. The men
are debtors Of either one or the other
country, who, through immediate necessi-
ties or the dread of Sheriffs officers, have
been obliged to step across into the friend
lv other side and await settlement with
their creditors, or for something to turn
up." On Sundays, when civil law Tor
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 Monday. II quarrel can
be picked with one of them at all it is done
by some bully hired for the purpose, and
then both are arrested and locked up for a
hearing. If he drives out some distance
into the country, his horse is famed, his
wagon Inch pin removed, or his harness
cut. Oftentimes an unlucky wight is
thus entrapped, but generally, if liquor is
avoided, the debtor manages to escape the
pitfalls placed for him to walk into.
Asa 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 athlete, was &C.
customed to boast Of his strength and agl-
lily as always able to rescue him if caught
but one day he was found nearly wanting.
he was a fugitive from Canada, where he
owed large sums, but having money to
live upon, preferred, in a careless dare
devil way, to live close to his late home,
instead Of moving further back into the
States.
He was accustomed to walk to the Ca
NADIA end of the bridge, where he would
chat with the officers there on duty. A
Canadian Sheriff determined to capture
him. Disgusting himself and an assistant
in women's dresses, they came to the
bridge at the American end, and APP
preached their captive, being between him
and freedom.
At last they were close upon him, and
the Sheriff, placing his hand on the
debtors shoulder, proclaimed his prisoner.
The athlete, however, was too much for
the law. Springing to his feet, he struck
49, c-I 1aft ond Aonrinr bic
would be -captors, made for the dead
line at full speed, and crossed
it in safety. Unfortunately for the
Sheriff. the law held him response
BILE for the debts of his late prisoner, as he
had allowed him to escape after proclaim
ing him his prisoner. The debts had,
therefore, to be paid by the Sheriff, and
he laid plans for vengeance.
The Scotchman was very careful for q
few weeks, but caution wearing off, 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 approach
ed the Canadian end. In few minutes
turning his head, he saw his captors in
line across the bridge, coming down upon
him, and yielding to the inevitable, he
surrendered and finally paid his debts.
The devices used by the British soldiers
to desert are many, Lately, man appear
ed wheeling in barrow barrel of -four
On reaching the United States side, the
head of the barrel was knocked In, and
deserter from the Brtiah ranks was re-
leased from his close quarters.-Niagara
Cor.,N r Post.