Smyrna times., 1875-02-24
mise eIIUW e OMS.
Captured by Telegraph.

During the winter of 1869, l was employed
as night operator in the railroad office at D.,
Iowa. The principal road batween Chicago
and Omaha runs through D, and the great
Irregular night trains, and constant danger Of
cullision resulting therefrom, rendered the po-
sitiOn of night operator by no means an easy
one. 1t may be we'll to mention here, as ne
Cessary to the following story-that besides the
railroad Office, there was also at D-a busi-
ness Office of the Union Company. This we
always spoke of as the down town Office"
One stormy night, not far from ii clock, l
sat at my desk-and for a wonder idle. The
wires had not called for some time, and was
leaning back in my chair listening to the wind
outside and rejecting upon the loneliness of
my situation. The eastern train had crossed
the river moro than an hour ago all the depot
officials had gone off home, and so far as
knew | was entirely alone in the vast building.
Finally tired of thinking, picked up the
evening paper and glanced listlsssly over its
coluwna Among other things read the de-
tailed account of fearful tragedy that had oc.
cured fifty miles up the river on the previous
night. Three raftsmen, well known ss deape-
rate characters in that vicinity, had entered the
cottage OF one Matthews, farmer living in an
isolated spot-had butshered the farmer and
his children, terribly maltreated his wife, and
then departed as they came, having taken with
than whatever pluRder was handy. What in
terestea me most was full description, for
purposes of Identification, of the chief of the
vilainOuS 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 height, very heavy, and broad across
the shoulders. Eyes greenish gray, with deep
scar over the right one. Hair wiry, black, anC
beard of same color. When first seen he wal
drsssed 10 black Kossuth hat, faded army over
coat, pants ct grey jean, and heavy boots. Tbs
above reward will be paid to any one furnish
Jog positive information of his wheres bouts.
(Signsd] Sheriff Of - County.
At the very instant | finished reading th'
advertisement, there occurred the most re
nsrksbe coincidence that has ever come unds
my observation. l heard heavy tread on th'
stair, and then the door opened and there en-
tered-Tin Lynch The moment | set eye
upon him | recognized him as perfectly al
though | had known him all his life. Tn,
army Oversoat. the grey pants tucked into th'
heavy boots the massive frame and shoulders
the souchtd hat pulled down over his RICH
eye to conceal was sure-ths scar. above al
q desperate, hunted look 10 his forbiddin
eountenascs-all were not to be mistaken.
was as certain of his identity as though he ha
stepped forward, pulled off his hat to show th
scar, and told me his name.
10 say tDaL l. was not alarmeU at Inls euuue
and unwelcome intrusion would be untrue.
am not brave man, and my present situation
alone in the depot with hunted murderer
was by no means re-assuring My heart beH
violently, but from mere force of habit, L ar0s
and asked him to be seated. While he turns
to comply succeeded in cOnquering my agit
ton to some sxteHt He drew chair noisi
forward, and sitting down threw open his Goa
displaying by SO doing a heavy navy revolv'
- hntk h. craaA hia mn Ia
quantity Of tobacco juice, and spoke:
Young feller,'" he said, motioning with h
head toward the battery, THAT thar maohs'
is what yer call Telegram, l pose "
Wei" | answered with faint smile, /
tended to be conciliatory, :" that's what '
send kilograms by"
oval want you to send a message to
friend O. mine out in Cohoe. tell yer afol
hand hain't got no collateral But kind
guess you'd better trust me, young feller. =
There he laid his hand significantly on his bel
"Ill fstch it in ter morrow ct it's convenient
| fastened to say that the charge could j.
as well be paid at the other end by his trisT
"Umph Plaguey little you'll got o Ji
reckon. Howsumdevsr, perceed. =.
What is the message, and to whom Is II
II want you to tell Jim Fellers, of Col
that the bull quit here las night, and u
sheep be close on his heels. q,
Az he delivered this sentence he looked
me az If he expected me to be mystlhed. 1
thought it best not to appear SO, and
carelessly:
II suppose you are dealer in stock I
this is your partnsr2 Alb, sir, the tslsgrs
helps you fellows out Of many sharp
gain"
"Yas," he answered, slowly, .evider
pleased with the way | took it. Ya'as, tn
um. I'm ssndin' Down lot o stock boq
it dog cheap over in Gsnesso, Yesterday. L
ty lot as ever you see.
turned 70 my instrument. What was