Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-11-08
FIGHTING A ROBBER,
WAS 1T BRAVERY OR WAS TIA CASE
OF FooLHARDINess!

struggle With the Famou, Ed Dalton
For the Possession of "a 81, 900 Money
rsckago-A reieErapher's Story OF One
Winter Nights Experience.
When read of adventures, there comes
to my mind my encounter with no
torious outlaw of the name of Ed Dali
ton. For years he had robbed mail
coaches and waylsid and murdered trav-
elers who Were belated and so unfor-
tunate as to meet him.
! was employed by the Northern Pa
citic railway rs telegraph operator. It
was in the latter part Of the winter that
the most terrible storm broke upon that
section of the country that was ever
known. The wind blew strong gale
from the northwest, and the air was full
of snow.
All trains were late, and had found
no time to leave my Office and take an ex-
press package of - 900 TO the bank for
safe Keeping. The station was crowded
and our safe small, SO that usually de-
posted the company's money in the bank
not liking to risk il in the office. l
had an order from the dispatcher not to
4
This was the western bound limited,
due at Cameron at 10 minutes of II.
1t was lonely night. The wires
hummed and sobbed In the wind as
though they could not Withstand the fury
Of the storm. hal finished my work and
was sitting half asleep near the stove,
which was filled with coal and red as a
cherry, when n sensation of some i'm
pending danger took possession Of me.
Trying to shake it off, walked TO my
desk, threw open the key and asked
the operator ON the might trick at
Hudson how No. 1 was.
..On time" clicked the instrument in
reply, and l stirred the fire, turned the
blaze of my lamp higher and sat down
again.
For 10 or 90 minutes I sat listening to
the monotonous click so musical to the
operators ear, when became conscious
some one was looking through the win
dow. and Thought of the express pack
age flashed through my mind. At the
same instant crashing of glass was fol-
lowed by q gruff voice saying:
Move and you are adead man"
L L
looking straight into six shooter.
While l was wondering how could save
the money the robber broke out the rest
of the window pane and crawlel in over
my desk.
Oh, for some way TO reach my trusty
bulldog" which was lying in full sight
under the ticket window. Useless wish!
Ordering me TO rise, the rufian calmly
took my chair and proceeded to warm
his chilled members before Cleaning
out the Office, all the while keeping the
revolver pointed at my head. Glsncing
around. he spied my pistol and coolly put
1t In his pocket. As he rose he said:
We'll, now | am ready for business.
] will just trouble you for that little
package with the red seals that Is IN your
safe"
was desperate enough 10 say any
thing and broke into n loud. harsh laugh
as he finished.
Was ever anything more lucky" l
cried, and my voice sounded like a croak.
why. my friend, have been waiting
for a chance TO rob the express company
for month. and if you are bound to
take the package we will divide the con-
tents and skip together"
He looked at me n moment with a
skeptical sneer.
'.Bosh! Don't talk stuff! Whatever
Won do be quick about 1t and look little
out that you play me no trick, or I'll fin
ish YOU"
l turned the combination and drew
the safe door open, making up my mind
to throw myself upon him if he moved
his revolver away for an instant. 1t did
not seem likely that opportunity would
favor me, but as took the money from
! the safe and handed it to him he lowered
/ his weapon.
! The critical time had come! II should
| fail TO overpower the fellow, it meant
| death for me.
sprang upon him with the strength
J of mailman, and so unexpected was the
| movement that we both went sprawling
| on the floor, the revolver discharging II
self harmlcssly as we fell. The robber
soon struggled TO his feet, and lifting
| me completely from the floor forced ms
through the ticket window.
! But had wrestled often while at col
| lege, and rs crashed through the glass
! l whirled him around, throwing my let'
| foot back of his in such way that tht
next instant found him on his head In
corner. Wild with excitement, pinnet
him to the floor, pulling my old bull
dog" from his pocket and changing th'
situation by placing the muzzle asains
his temple.
Lie still. my friend" painted. "or
will be worse for your
Ar that very moment | heard the ia
niliar whistle of No. !, which was ap
proaching the station, but would no
stop unless signaled. | was master o
tbe situation now. could stretch on
INV left hand and touch the signal board
and with a loud cry of triumph tina
sounded strange and savage In my owl
ears turned it. heard the alrbrake
and escaping steam, and then the trail
came to u full stop. Directly afterwar'
the Office door opened, and the conduct
or came swinging his lantern ana eS
pecting his train orders.
I suppose he understood the tablea
before him, but that was ali l knew TO
some time.
when / became conscious of what wa
going on around me, they had my rot
her bound hand and foot, and an cage
crowd stood round my chair, praisln
nv bravery and congratulating me
: saving the large sum Of money and caI
turing the boldest robber west OF Can
eron. the famous Ed Dalton.
Was 1t bravery Sometimes ! thin
. IL was foolhardiness, but 1t paid m
we'll. for both railway and express con
panfes rewarded me generously in none
and advance of position.-Archie Eggi
son.