Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-05-30
F0ILED BY A GIRL.

While In a small town In Wyoming
territory learned that a lady living
there had been the heroine of thrilling
adventure with train robbers. and curl.
osity and love for the brave induced me
to call on her to tell me the story. When
went to her house | was welcomed by
handsome lady about 80. and in re.
sponse to my earnest request for this one
chapter of her life she related the follow
ing:
I'm 1873, when but girl of IS, left
my home In Omaha and came out here
to I'LL the lonesome position of night op-
orator at a small station ON the Pacific
railway IN this territory. Ii was dreary,
desolate spot in the midst of a desert
The only buildings at the station, apart
from the depot. were section house oc-
cupied by a track foreman and a few
Chinese laborers. water tank and "a coal
shed. The day operator and agent, a
mere boy, slepts at the section house,
about two hundred yards distant. so that
during the long, dreary night was alone
in the depot.
mo. express train, bound east. was
due at 2:15 in the morning. but 1t never
stopped unless signaled, and as this was
the only train during the latter part of
the night you can imagine my lonely sit
uation upon the desert wild. | had my
books and guitar for companions. and
passed much of my time reading. and
when the doleful howlings of the wolves
were borne 10 my ears from the distant
sand hills would pick up my guitar and
endeavor to drown their cries with music
and song.
Zone night, shortly after midnight,
as sat at my table reading late novel,
thought | heard a shufiiing footstep on
the station platform; but as il was not
repeated concluded 1t was but a wolf
more daring than his cowardly fellows.
and | resumed my book. A few mo-
ments later heard low knocking al
the door. which ! always kept locked,
and strange feeling came over me
During my several weeks stay at the
station had never had visitor, and
the sudden knock, so low, and vet 50
startingly clear in the stiffness OF the
night caused my form to tremble and
my cheek 10 blanch
My first thought was Of Indians, and
then ! reasoned that it might be some
tramps desiring shelter. While / sat
there in alright, the knock was repeated
louder than before, and mastering all
my courage approached the door and
asked:
who's therey
"A gruif voice replied:
"a traveller who desires TO take the
east bound train
1T was my plain and Enthusiastically
duty 10 admit him. and with trembling
fingers drew the bolt.
.'Instantly the door was pushed vio-
lently open. aud | sprang back to the
table and sank into my chair in terror,
when seven burly men, wearing cloth
masks on their faces and armed to the
teeth. entered the Office Ono of them.
evidently the leader, walked TO me and,
pointing a large revolver to my head.
said in low. firm voice;
Gal, we don't want to hurt you. but
If you make a suspicious move or scream,
or give any alarm. SO that any o the
men in the section house kin hear you,
I'll spile the looks o that pretty face
with bullet. Be quiet and sensible.
and behave yourself, and yer shan't be
hurt. Whar's yer red signal lampy
".What would you dor | gasped.
".None o your business. We don't
want TO hear any unnecessary back talk
nor no impertinent questions, Whars
tho red lamp
"A thrill of horror swept over me
when tho truth burst upon me that |
was in the hands of a band of desperate
train robbers. whose evident intention
was to signal the train and rob the ex-
press car at my station. What could !
do? IL was yet three hours until the
train was due. but could not eluds my
saptors 10 arouse the section men. and
knew by the ugly gleam in the leader
eyes, through the holes in his mask. that
IL made the least outcry he would moi
hesitate To carry out his threat and mur,
der me. knew they could find the
lamp easily by searching for it. aud in
trembling voice told him il was hang.
ing just inside the door of the freight
room. One of the men got IL. and after
examining IL To see that il was in order,
the rough band took seats TO await the
incoming of the train.
.The leader lit his pipe. and. looking
ut me steadily for few moments. said:
Young gal, when that ar train toots
her whistle we've got some work for you
An official duty, rs you might call It.
You must go out thar ON the platform
an signal the train to stop and take OF
some first class passengers, an, lookes
here, II you make suspicious move, ol
don't swing the red lamp in the propel
way. we'l just ventilate that graceful
body with bullets. an jump on our horses
and git Do you understand
"A desperate resolve had been takint
shape In my bewildered brain rcplice
that | fully understood him, and with ,
piteous cry, oh, you will mako mur
derer OF mer ! threw my arms and IN,
head down upon tho table and began Il
cry andsoh as If my heart werc breaking
Had he seen my face he might have no
nced q total absence Of tears. was cry
Ing for q purpose.
When my arms dropped upon th,
ta6ie allowed my hands To fail upon
the arInature of the telegraph instru
ment. 50 that could prevent 1t from
nekang, while my right handr upor
1ne key. sobbing. 50 that any sligh
sucking the key might make would mo-