Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-18

The outlaw leaned forward with a
puzzled expression, and doubtlessly
wished he knew as much about tele-
graphing as he did about shooting.
SIS Stevens there?" asked the in
strument at Bloomville. Tell him
Warner wants him."
There was pause, and then the in
strument at the lonely way station an
swered.
Warner rapidly ratified out the fol-
lowing message:
''This shanty is in the possession of
villain who has pistol pointed at
me while [ work. l expect it is the
Zama county gang that is round the
place. They are going to rob the ex-
press. I'm supposed to be telegraphing
orders for it to stop here. Now, can't
you make up special there and get
the sheriff and a strong posse to come
down and gather in the gang?"
s.Pll do it. There's a freight engine
here now, and I'll put the boys in some
box cars"
'.No, don't do that Make up a train
of passengers. Put Pullman on be-
hind if you have it, and make it look
as like an express train as you can.
Then send her down on the time of
the express, and hold No 9 there till
till they get back"
Good idea! Now what are you 60
ing to do? They'll shoot you"
''Can you make connection with
the town arc light and get them to put
their full current on? I'll connect it in
some way with the fellow here, and
he'll never know what struck him.
''We haven't time for that. We
would have to 90 down to the dynamo
Office and get them to turn off all the
city lights and then make connections.
It would take too long and it would
burn out every switchboard on the cir
cult. But can give you all the cell
currents we have here, and that will
paralyze any rough from Zama and
perhaps kill him. Anyhow, you could
get his gun before he recovered. When
you're ready just call at the office.
Ground your current and I'll send it
along on the big wire"
"Seems. to take lot of telegraphing
to stop train," said the desperate I'M
easily.
sit does. You see the train is be-
hind time and they don't want to stop
her. I told them there was q special
that would pass her here. They want
to know all the particulars. Now I'll
have to move about bit. I must cut
off the wire to Center City. If [ don't
they may telegraph to the dispatcher's
Office about that special and then it
would be all up with u.s."
1sI'hat'S riOht: 90 ahead -
well, don't letthat revolver go of"
at never goes off till tell it to and
then it's sure death. AS long as you
act square it won't 90 off,"
The telegrapher went to q drawer
and took out q piece of wire and to one
end attached a pair of scissors. The
other end he connected with the big
wire from Bloomville. He fused
around the switchboard, and then took
a pail of water and said: ''Look out
for your feet. L must damp down the
floor, so there will be no dust to inter-
fere with, the instruments.
Water won't hurt anything outside
of me-" said the man; I'D hate to try
it inside, though
Having wet down the floor. the OPP
orator sat down to his table again.
"Klick-a-klick, went the instrument.
Next instant there was binding flash
of greenish light in the room. The
man started to his feet.
'Thunder!" he cried. whats that?"
''You struck 1t the first time. Thun-
der someWheres. I'm afraid it will in
terfere with us. But [ can fix it.
Hand me that screw-driyer, quick"
The screw-driver was handed, but
all the time the pistol covered him.
The visitor was not a man to be taken
off his guard. Warner worked with
the screw-driver a moment and then
said, sharply: Gimme them scissors.
Hurry up"
The outlaw reached for the scissors
and the next instant with yell he
sprang toward the ceiling and fell in
heap on the floor.
Throw up your hands, you villain!"
cried Warner, pointing his own pistol
at him.
The whole gang were induced to re-
turn to Bloomville with the sheriff
shortly after.-Detrod Free Press.