The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-19
NV watch and pocket-book. Then they

my watch and pocket-book. Then they
tied me with stout ropes to chair.
Somers did not address me again, but
sat upon the floor and gambled with the
rest. Presently he rose, and saying he
would return by daybreak, left the room.
He evidently felt l was in his power,
and seemed in no hurry to complete his
revenge.
When he had gone the card-playing
was kept up for a couple of hours.
Then they all stretched themselves upon
the floor and slept The door opened
inward, and across it was the burly form
of the treasurer. In spite of the appar-
ent hopelessness of the trial, set about
devising some plan of escape.
The first thing to do was to free my
self. l have large wrists and small
hands. In tying me they had not taken
this into consideration. Without much
difficulty / liberated my hands; then, of
course, it was the work of but tew
seconds to entirely free myself from my
bonds.
Taking the precaution to place the
ropes in such position that, should any
of the gang waken, would still appear
to be bound, thought upon my chances
of escape. They certainly appeared
very few and small. The fact of the
men upon the floor being asleep, seemed
little in my favor. l could not move
the ruffian who was sleeping at the door
without waking him. As have before
stated, escape by the window was i'm
possible. Every plan that suggested it
self had insurmountable objections toit.
/ had almost given up scheming in
despair, and concluded to adopt some
hopelessly desperate measure, when I
thought of the contents of bottle |
had in my pocket.
In searching me, the 1ufians had not
disturbed it, thinking it of no imper-
tance. 1t contained chloroform. /,
also, had sponge in my pocket. In a
moment l had resolved what to do.
Drawing the bottle from my pocket,
soaked the sponge thoroughly with its
contents.
Slowly, painfully q could hear my
heart beat), with all the caution that a
man uses when his life may depend on
the slightest noise, 1 stepped to the side
; of the nearest ruffian.
/ placed the saturated sponge to hi:
: nose. 1 saw him quickly yield to the
2 influence of the vapor. From man to
f man / stepped. One by one they were
r made senseless, helpless.
1 The man at the door was the last.
t drew him away, first securing my watcl
:, and pocket-book. | also found in hi
| possession a blackjack, which took tn
r liberty of appropriating. Then, open
r ing the door, I stepped out into the hall
S still moved cautiously, feeling tina
t all dangeriwas not past. l thought ther
d might be a watcher there, but, to m,
: relief, l saw no one. l descended tn
t first flight of stairs, and reached the sec
e ond story in safety.
had gone about halfway down tn
y second flight. My heart stood still, fo
1 heard some one enter below, then, i
d the muttered oath, recognized Somers'
d voice. l crouched down upon the stai
r next the wall, hoping he might pass me-
But as he came up, his hand brushed m
'e face.
5, In moment he had me by the throa
1 knew him to be by far the more pow
W erful man, and it was not a time fo
scruples. Quickly, it being so dark h
70 could not see the action, I raised til
ID blackjack had held it since l left tt
ID room-and brought it down heavil
ar upon his skull.
&c His hand left my throat, and, a lif
Or less mass, he rolled down the stairs.
found him at the foot, quite still.
ry made good my escape, not stopping
~ see if had killed him. / do not kno
ct to this day whether he is living or dea
w I never saw nor heard of him again.
he When arrived home / found vel
n frightened little woman, but 1 did NJ
tell her till long afterward the history
ne that night. / have never since been
I'd such fix, and if discretion and reaso
he able supply of cowardice can prevent
as never will be in the future.