Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-07-22
Refrigerators
Ice Chests
Pumps, Kinds
BROUGHT RACK.
Kansas City journal, Monday, July II.

BROUGHT RACK.
Kansas City journal, Monday, July II.
Rev. Leigh Vernon. the evangelist, who
deserted his wife and family two months
ago and clOpcd with Mrs. Matte Pearson
Of Joplin. Mo-. was taken through this
city last evening en- route TO Pittsburg,
Kansas, to answer for his crime. He was
in charge Of Deputy Sheriff Peter Ireland
of Girard. Kansas. On the same train
that brought him from Duluth, Mimi,
was Mrs. Pearson, who was captured with
him. She was in charge Of her brother.
Harry Sparks, of Pittsburg, who went to
Duluth to induce her to return home.
Vernon made a desperate, but unsuc-
cessful effort to commit suicide yesterday
afternoon at 3 o'clock. when the train OH
which he was Il passenger was near Dear
born, Mo. While the train was coming
down a heavy grade ut u high rate Of
speed, Vernon, without word Of warn
ing, plunged headong through the open
window and fell in heap at the road
side. 1t was Il desperate chance, but the
officer was equal to the emergency. He
pulled the bell cord. rushed to the door
and sprung of. His foot slipped on ba-
mana peel which lay on the step, and he
fell with terrific force in the muddy ditch
side of the track.
He struck OH his right shoulder and
was covered with mud. AS he scrambled
TO his feet he found his right arm helpless
from the shock. He seized his pistol in
his left hand aud shouted to Vernon, who
was about 200 feet away, TO stand still.
and started toward him. So terribly had
he been shaken up by his fall that he fell
three times in walking the distance, and
when he reached the inanacled evangelist
he fell half fainting across him.
Vernon had fallen on his head and
shoulders and WIS stunned by the force
of the fall. being only half conscious when
Ireland seized him. a moments rest en-
abled Ireland TO regain strength, and al
though he was almost frantic with pain he
seized his prisoner by the collar and sat
astlide of him until the train backed up
and took them OH board.
Vernon was in half conscious, hyster-
ical state and created great excitement by
his frantic efforts 10 get away from his
guard. Ireland chained him to seat.
with the assistance OF the train men, and
brought him safely into this city. They
arrived Oh the Maple Leaf train at the
Wood street depot NJ 5 o'clock and Ireland
took Vernon To police station No. 2. where
DIR. Stemen dressed their bruises. Ire
lands arm was terribly bruised and
wrenched and Inc will be lame for months,
II he ever RECEIVERS the full use of it.
Vernon's greatest injuries were a con-
cussiOn of the chest aud severe brnise
on top of the head. The combined effect
caused him to become quite "rattled'' for
"A time. but after he WAS washed and had
lunch he had quite recovered his compos-
IRE. Engineer Spofford of the Maple
Leaf stated last evening that he was rum
ming over forty miles an hour when Yer
non took his tumble from the window.
He said: I'VE were twenty minutes be-
hind time and coming down hill more
than forty miles an hour. The signal
sounded and rs reached for the brakes |
looked back just in time to see man
slide headlong from a coach window.
applied the brakes and glanced back
again and saw another man spring head
long from the coach steps. We had just
whistled for the station and had TO run in.
AS. we slowed down the brakeman and
newsbUy sprang of and ran back up the
track. but we overlook them as we backed
nm. AS we backed up We found the off,
Ger standing over the prisoner holding to
his collar. IL was q fearful risk the men
took and one would hate 10 take. even in
case OF accident. Ii couldn't be done
once in u thousand times without break
ing "A man all to pieces. can scarcely
realize that both men took such fool
hardy leaps and escaped with such slight
bruises"
Mrs. Pearson was not In the car at the
time, being back in the sleeper with her
brother, Mr.. Harry Sparks.
THE MINISTER'S STORY.
.No man ever sat where | sit now and
felt more keelily than do the ignOminy
and shame Of the situation. ! have al
WAYS been leader and IN charge Of men
Here come back where have been vel
eOnied so often and so warmly. In charge
of AN officer. Look at These" and Us hs
SPOKE. Vernon raised his hands and exhib-
lied pair of polished steel bracelets OF
his wrists. look at, them, The contin
,cd. biting his lips rer'ously, while hi
hands rrembled perceptbly.
30 spake Leigh VerAon. erstwhile al
evangelist, popular and successful, MAJ
whom thousands hid listened 10 Ms he tie
iiycred powerful tlisc0urses, as be sal h
rte james street police station In kansa
Iihy, k.ln., Yesterday aiterHnon.. lgues