The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-11-06
CAPTURED BY TELEGRAPH.

During the Winter of 1869, was EN-
ployed as night operator in the railroad
office at D., Iowa. The principal roat
between Chicago and Omaha runs through
D., and the great irregular night trains
and constant danger of collision resulting
therefrom, rendering the position OF nigh
operator by no means an easy one. 1t may
be we'll to mention here, as necessary tt
the following story-that besides the rail
road office, there was also at D. a bust
ness office of the Union Company. Thi:
we always spoke Of as the 'down towr
Office
One stormy night, not far from clever
o'clock, l sat at my desk-and for won,
der idle. The wires had not called fol
some time, and l was leaning back in my
chair listening to the wind outside and re.
fectng upon the loneliness of my situation
The eastern train had crossed the river
more than an hour ago; all the depot off,
Gals had gone off home, and SO far as
knew was entirely alone in the vast build
ing.
Finally, tired of thinking, l picked up
the evening paper and glanced listlessly
over it's columns. Among other things
read the detailed account of fearful trag-
edy that had occurred fifty miles mp the
river on the previous night. Three iats
men, we'll known as desperate characters
in that vicinity, had entered the cottage of
one Matthews, farmer living in an isolat-
ed spot-had butchered the farmer and his
children, terribly maltreated his wife, and
then departed as they came, having taken
with them whatever plumber was handy.
What interested me most was full descrip-
ton, for purpose of Identification, of the
chief of the villainous trio, Tim Lynch.
Here it is:
$500 reward will be paid for information
leading to the capture, dead or alive, of
Tim Lynch, the ringleader of the Matthews
tragedy. Lynch is remarkably large man,
six feet four inches in hight, very heavy.
and broad across the shoulders. Eyes of
greenish gray, with deep scar over the
right one. Hair why, black, and beard of
same color. When first seen he was dress
coat, pants of gray jean; and heavy boots.
furnishing me positive information Of his
whereabouts. (Signed)
Sheriff of - County.
at the very instant finished reading the
advertisement, there occurred the most re-
markable coincidence that has ever come
under my observation. l heard heavy
tread on the stair, and then the door open
ed and there entered-Tim Lynch! The
moment l set eyes upon him l recognized
him as perfectly as though l had known
him all his life. The army overcoat, and
gray pants tucked into the heavy boots, the
massive frame and shoulders, the slouched
hat pulled down over his right eye to con-
ceal-l was sure-the scar, above all a des-
perate, hunted look in his forbidding coun-
tenance-all were not to be mistaken. |
was as certain of his identity as though he
had stepped forward, pulled off his hat to
show the scar, and told me his name.
To say that l was not alarmed at this
sudden and unwelcome intrusion would be
untrue. | am not a brave man, and my
present situation alone in the depot with a
hunted murderer, was by no means reas-
surfing. My heart beat violently, but from
mere force of habit, l arose and asked him
to be seated. While he turned to comply
/ succeeded in conquering my agitation to
some extent. He drew a chair noisily for
ward, and sitting down threw open his coat
displaying, by so doing, a heavy navy re-
volver stuck in his belt. Then he freed his
mouth of a quantity of tobacco juice, and
spoke:
Young feller," he said, motioning with
his head toward the battery, "thet thar
macheen is what yer call Telegram,
s'pose? 20
"Well," answered, with faint smile,
intended to be conciliatory, " that's what
we send kilograms by"
oval, | want to send message to a
friend O mine out in Cohoe. tell yer
aforehand hain't got no collateral But
kinder guess you'd better trust me, young
feller.'' Here he laid his hand significant
ly on his belt.) "I'll fetch it in ter-morer
if it's convenient
l fastened to say that the charge could
just as well be paid at the other end by his
friend.
"Umph! plaguey little you'll get O. Jim,
| reckon. Howsumever, perceed.'
"What is the message, and to whom is
it to go?''
81 want you to tell Jim Fellers, of
Cehoe, that the bull quit here las night,
and Their sheep'll be close on his heels.'
AS he delivered this sentence he looked
at me as if he expected me to be mystified
But thought it best not to appear so, and
l said carelessly:
81 suppose you are dealer in stock and
this is your partner? All, sir, the telegraph
helps you fellows out Of many sharp bar
gain"
"Ya'as," he answered, slowly, evidently
pleased with the way took it. "Ya'as,
that's UNI. Pm sendin' down lot O stock
Bought it dog cheap over in Genesee, yis-
terday. Purity lot as ever you SEEM"
l turned to my instrument. What was
to be done? Though ours was a railroad
office, we often sent business messages;
and if did as usual now should probably
get rid Of my unwelcome visitor without
further trouble. But in the short CONVEX
sation with him had somewhat recovered
from my first alarm, and l now conceived
the idea of attempting the capture of Tim
Lynch.
was only poor salaried operator, try
ing to save enough to marry in the Spring.
Five hundred dollars would do me great
deal of good just now-to say nothing of
the eclat of the thing. But how was it to
he accomplished =? Here l was alone in the
depot with man big enough to whip his
weight in such little men as l was several
times over. Any attempt to secure him
single-handed was not to be thought of.
But could l not excuse myself, and going
out fasten him in? No; we'll | knew from
the distrustful look in his face that any
proposal of mine to leave the room would