Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-07-05
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These | repeated several times, hop
ing they might reach the ear OF some
operator on the line. | then slowly
and distinctly wrote these words, still
sobbing violently:
.'Who this or-heaven' MS
report to - train dispatcher
at-Laramie quick that lam in
the-hands Of seven robbers who
will compel - me to -flag-No. A.
Send-help-quick."
Then | signed name and office call.
l released the armature and the in
strument clicked out:
Brace up little girl-I-hear-
you H"
II" was the train dispatcher's call.
With a fierce shout, the leader sprang
forward and rudely suatched me away
from the table, and asked:
Zeal, what's that"
"Only distant Office asking for or
ders for Il freight train" | responded.
None o yer lynn. you little imp
he roared. Yer up to some trickr'
No" | replied, II am not. If l
were doing that my fingers would be
on the instrument Don't you see
am not touching it, and yet it works?
1t Is only an order 10 a freight train
away down at Medicine Bow"
Keep away from that table" he
said, savagely. AN if ketch you at
any tricks III choke the life out of
you.'
Oh, how eagerly my ears dram k in
every word the instrument licked out!
| heard telegram TO the sheriff OF
| W II
ing him to arm posse of men at one @
and get on board special train which
would be ready for him. Then another
to the young superintendent who was
at Green River, telling how my slowly
written words had been heard by the
dispatcher aud asking him TO super
| intend the preparations to fly TO my
relief.
Then a third dispatch 10 the master
mechanic. instructing him TO fire up
his fastest passenger engine and couple
on TO carriage and await the super
intendent's orders. Ny heart beat so
violently that it almost took nv
breath away 1t seemed an age ere
heard the Green River operator call
the dispatcher and say,
The superintendent, with sheriff
train ready for orders"
The order came flying. I told the
engineer he had a clear track and TO
run at his very highest speed TO within
half mile of my station, and with
welcome report from the Green River
officer
Especial east departed 1:15."
hnt
how my very nerve tinged with ex-
element; 1:l5-I mentally figured
that the train on such desperate err
rand should make nearly a mile
minute, and reach the stopping point
at 80.
The robber chief gave his men their
instructions. | was To be sent alone
to signal the train, and when IL halted
the band would make Il rush and board
the train.
''Bill, you jump on the engine as
| soon as she stops and hold the engineer
aud fireman under your guu. Jack,
you pile into the mail-car an make
the clerk give mp his registered letters,
an Yank and Alecll'll work the en-
press-car while Tom an Shorty hold
! the conductor an brakeman back. Do
|
afeared 10 burn powder IL necessary.
Thar's a big haul on that train, an
we've got to have it,
J How eagerly watched the clock and
how slowly. how very, very slowly the
hands seemed to novel :2l. 1:25, and
1880 were licked Off 80! Would they
never come?
The men sat on the bench along the
west side OF the room facing the two
! windows on the east. | tried to figure
| how long it would require for the men
TO walk To the depot from the stopping
| place. Perhaps even then they were
surrounding the station and | might
hear a knock at the door at any in
slant Would there be fight?
Oh, horrible thought, In few mo-
ments | might see men shot down be-
fore my face aud | myself might DO
/ killed. / almost tainted with fright
! The blood seemed to freeze In INV
veins and ] grasped the chair or would
have fallen 10 the floor 1:40l
There came fearful crash OF glass
and the black muzzles Of perfect
cloud of rifles were thrust through the
windows and pointed directly at the
robbers. Then voice cried out:
''Men. throw up your hands! am the
sheriff and in the name of the law de-
mand your surrender. Make but a
move and I'll order my men to fire!'
Eyer little catr' Kissed the leader,
glaring at me savagely as the b nd sud-
denly held aloft their hands. Then the