Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-03
IGOE'S SACRIFICE.
How the Associated Press Operator at
Minneapolis Lost His Life.


wires of the Associated Press were bur-
dened with outgoing matter Saturday
night and William D. Chandler, one of its
most rapid senders, was hurrying the lads
along the line that touches New Orleans
southwark, Kansas City westward, and
Minneapolis northward. The pace was
warm, for it was Saturday night, and
Sundays papers would 90 early to press.
Suddenly Chandler paused, shut his key
and looked up with an expression on his
face that challenged inquiry from his col
leagues as to what the trouble on the wire
was The Associated Press operator, Igoe,
at Minneapolis had "broken" and all the
men on the line had paused, like Chandler,
to listen. "There's a fire on the third
floor of this Tribune building said Igoe
on the wire, land Pm on the seventh
floor" Then after moments pause he
added. go ahead, Chandler and New
York began again, and after short space
yielded to Cleveland who had a
rush" dispatch. and this was all of
Cleveland's message that Igoe received:
Cleveland O., Nov 30.-Captain Joseph
Moffat. well Known Lake man, was
killed today by falling into the hold of his
vessel" Just there Igoe "broke." "Boys,"
he licked on the wire, and there was an
other brief pause, and all the men on the
circuit were listening with interest for
they had noted in the transmission by Igoe
of the word "boys" tremulousness of
touch. just as a layman could detect a
tremor in human voice. Boys.
I've got to stand you off," came
from Igoe Pm the only one left on this
floor. Everybody is gone and can't stand
it any longer Click, shut went the key
and some operator on the line quickly
| CHI rod
Take the machine along-save the ma
chine" referring to the typewriter, the
Associated Press reports being executed
on typewriters at ali points, buG there was
no response. The ticking instru-
ment had licked its half
jocular message in an empty room. Near
by sat the machine and the last item taken
which had been Cleveland's item about a
violent death. Then the work went on
again and no one of his colleagues thought
seriously of Igoe's goodbye until there
came bulletins of loss of life and among
them bulletin stating the fact that poor
Igoe had stayed too long. Those 200 last
words he remained to take were f. tai. They
cost him his life and the men at their
keys We're grave as they worked on the
good night " One who had started in at
good evening" had received his 1907 be-
fore the report was closed.
THE "ENQUIRER's" COMMENT
CINCINNATI. o., Dec. 2-The Enquirer
today has this editorial:
IF anything can mitigate the horrors of
holocaust such as that in Minneapolis
Saturday, it is such an example of the
heroic as set by James Igoe, the unfortun-
ate and undaunted telegraph operator
Well may bitter tears be shed by widow,
| children and friends because of the terri
bieness of his taking off, but they can
Always remember with pride he
| died brave man. His chill
| dren need look nowhere else
| for a lesson in devotion to duty. He knew
| that beneath him Il fire was raging. He
broke his colleague in New York to tell
| him that the third story was on fire, add
| ing and Pm on the seventh floor He
knew that the only way of escape WAS by a
narrow, winding stairway, yet he faltered
| but moment. Then he gave the signal
to go ahead and with a roar
ing furnace under foot sat quietly
words He stuck to his post to the very
| last message: Boys, I've got to stand
you off I'm the only one left on the
| floor. Everybody is gone and | can't stay
any longer
Poor Igoe had stayed too long,
He had been faithful till death.
lgoe and Ogle. Well may
telegrahers feel their hearts swell with
pride when their names are mentioned
| Igoe, the man; Ogle the woman. Both
operators, both martyrs to duty. As long
as operators receive their so will the
names of Ogle and Igoe will be emblaz-
| oned.'