The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-24
CURED BY TELEGRAPH.
How an Intelligent Operator Saved tile Life
of a Would-Be Suicide.

How an Intelligent Operator Saved tile Life
of Would-Be Suicide.
New York Special.
The quick-witted telegraph operator in the
Western Union main Office in this city, who listen
ed at his wire on Saturday and saved the life OF
girl in Big Indian Ulster county, was John B.
smith, twenty weight years old, who lives in
Brooklyn, and operates the Rondout wire in the
main Office of the Western Union. At 1890 on
Saturday morning, Mr. Smith was sitting before
his instrument. waiting for messages to turn up,
when he heard angry words come clicking over
the wire Some one said to some one else, In
telegraphic letters, "Why didn't you keep your
promise, or answer the girl, anyhow Then an
apologize answer was clicked back to the
effect that the person questioned had
meant to do what was right. At this point
| message for Rondout was handed to Smith,
which was required to be sent over the wire
when the operators out in the country were ex-
changing messages Smith exercised his privi
lege OF cutting off the takers He called up
Rondout. got it and began sending his message.
He had not gone very far when the operator at
Big Indian, who had been reprmandng the
other operator, broke in upon Smith, sending to
him, by way of explanation the following mes
sage in single excited streak: For Gods sake
let me have the wire, it may save girls life"
This. of course. was all that Smith wanted to
know. and wondering how the Big Indian opera
tor was going to save life, he kept his instru
| ment open and listened to the message that was
being sent 1t was directed to the nearest physi
clan, DIR. Schley, at Pine Hill, three miles from
Big Indian, and urged him to come over at full
speed, for Ora Misner had taken laudanum at
the railroad station at Big Indian, and was dy-
ing in the station. Under ordinary circum-
stances Operator Smith would have felt sorry
for Miss Mlsner, and would have thought moth
ing more of the dispatch, as dozens Of such
tales of distress come clicking into the main
office from far out in the country every day.
But this was not an ordinary case. Smith knew
that Big Indian was only little backwoods
station, with not even drug store, and DR..
Schley. who was teegraphed for, might not be
reached until too late. The big operating room
in New York is stocked with all kinds of wis
dom, from that of the actor to that of the min
lister; and doctors abound there. Smith
called to DR.. Osborne, who working
wire behind him. Soon five more doctors, with
Drs Osborne and Smith in their center, were in
earnest consultation and in less than five min
utes from the time Big Indian sent to Pine Hill
for doctor, Smith vigorously called for the Big
Indian man and asked him what had been done
to save the girl. The reply came: 20 Lord!
nothing. We don't know what to do and we are
waiting for Dr. Schey." DR.. Osborne grabbed
the key and licked off, peremptorily: Let Dr.
Schley alone, and FIJI that girl as tull as You can
of mustard and water. That is to relieve her
all the time in motion. Walk her up and down.
Switch her and pinch her. Don't let her go to
sleep. whatever you do" The Big Indian oper-
ator telegraphed back: 20. K.-O. K"
Then for fifteen minutes the Western Union
faculty leaned back. happy in the conviction that
Ora Msner was being treated heroically. At
the end of that time they were reused by more
ticking from Big Indian. The operator said
We've taken her over to my house across the
track We've got men walking her and switch
ing her. but she wants to die, and she won't
take the mustard"
DR.. Osborne's hand grabbed the button and
ordered: Force her mouth open and make her."
After silence lasting for another fifteen min
utes the faculty was made happy by the an,
nouncement that Ora Misner had taken unlmi-
ted quantities of the emetic had been very much
relieved. and was better The faculty dispersed
leaving Mr.. Smith to transact his business with
Rondout.
The girl rallied. and to day is perfectly well
When the physician reached her he said that she
unquestionaby owed her life to the prompt
action of the telegraph operator in the New