The record-union., 1894-06-09

The other day in the cloak-room OF the
House, members of Congress. as is their
wont, were regaling each other with
stories of hair breadth escapes by held
and flood. John Allen had just told what
q blow it was to the Washington No
taries Public when Fellows left the
House.
Fellows always indorsed my notes"
said Allen, sand l always indorsed his,
and the protest fees would easily have
sustained family in luxury. The Wash
ington business world will miss Fellows
nightly, and so will l."
Some discussion followed as to Fell
lows fame as criminal lawyer. This led
listener to retell story which Fellows
had related. Here is the yarn:
stOnce upon time Joe Dubuque was
held in jail. Dubuque was daring rob-
Der. whose line was picking pockets. He
ranked high in his profession and was
looked up to and had reverence from
other members of the family His in
generations brought shoals of his dark
and devious friends around. He was
charged with a robbery of considerable
moment-$ll, ,00O-and this and his stand
long term if convicted. Money was
wasted like water in his defense. The
best legal talent was brought TO his sue
cor. A great trial took place, some great
lies were told, and tie affair conducted
with all the accessories of high-priced
legal tableau.
''If," said Prosecutor De Wolf, ''the
honest men of community would come
TO each others assistance when beset
with half the heart these outlaws betray,
business disaster would become obsolete
as phrase"
But Dubuque was convicted and sem
fenced to ten years in the penitentiary.
Those industrious and sanguine vandals,
however. who had stood by him through
all, still held their hopes high. 1t was
long road yet to the penitentiary. Many
things might happen. The case was on
error to the Supreme Court This would
give them three months, as Dubuque was
10 be detained in Jail until the final de-
cision. Why did they not 60 the prison
er's bond |? Because 1t was fixed at S25.-
900, and no man with real estate could be
procured unless be was barricaded from
harm with deposit OF the full amount
and 81 600 or S2, 900 extra for the trouble.
Thieves are very good business men. 1t
was resolved to have Dubuque out even
ii it took S25, 600, but other methods would
be tried first.
1t would be sight cheaper said the
renowned Mollie Matches, If we could
break Joe out.
There was woman who passed for
DubuQue's wife. She did not as a fact.
bear that soft and dulcet relation, but no
matter. She was pretty and very brave
and went to see Dubuque every day.
- I will cling to you Joe, until the PEN
itentiary doors pinch my fingers she
said, and all who have ever seen this sort
of woman with this sort of man knows
she told the truth. They have the dogs
heart and are faithful through all.
Dubuque was good prisoner and be-
haved well. The officers liked him and
he was granted many liberties. They
watched him narrowly, however, and
when he took his exercise each day his
cell was searched. The Sheriff felt that
some effort would be made to liberate
his captive. lie knew that dozens of
daring and ingenious men were on the
outside with no present purpose but TO
set Dubuque free. He knew that money
was no object, because he had been slyly
offered several thousand to turn Dubuque
into the street. He laughed at the offer,
which came TO him through an ex-de-
tective, but it helped him to realize the
outlaws anxiety for Dubuque.
"'We'I try every other plan,' said
Matches; and If they fail we'll put un
the bail money and take him out that
way
meanwhile dark and hidden prepara-
tions were afloat to release Dubuque by
the rather extraordinary method of
breaking into the Jail. There. was no
effort to supply Dubuque with tools or
weapons, as he knew his cell was daily
ransacked; and so another scheme was
evolved and set in execution.
1.-THE Sheriff, however, became vaguely
impressed with sense of danger One
day he secretly resolved not TO wait the
high courts finding. He did not even
tell his deputies or turkeys. He would
start the next afternoon with Dubuque
for the penitentiary at o'clock. When
Dubuques pretty wife came that day to
see him-the day before the proposed
start for the States Prison-the Sheriff
who was kindly and felt some degree of
sympathy for the faithful creature, asked
her whether she meant to visit Dubuque
the next day.
Certainly she said.
1.-The officer reflected moment while
the girl watched him, keen as cat. The
Sheriff should never have spoken to her
at all. She knew In an instant some move
was afoot At last he said:
"'Come as early as 1875 and take din
ner with Joe. Pm going to give him
good dinner tomorrow
livery well, III Gomez said the girl.
and went in to Dubuque and straightway
told him the whole conversation.
"tWants you to be here to dinner said
Dubuque reflectively. You generally
come at in the afternoon
.sThen the rascal knitted his brows and
thought hard while the girl waited.
.'rhe Sheriff is on to something,' said
Dubuque at last. and is going to make
me fast somewhere. Let me look at this
paper q minute and he picked up one of
the several with which his cell was fur
nlshed.
"sThat's it, he said after q moments
reading. He's planning to take me to
the pen. The train starts at P. NJ
's.I think so, too, said the girl. Now,
what shall we do ? Shall I notify Matches
and the menY
mo- said Dubuque. Pm tell you
how Wen fix this. | have never at
tempted anything so far. but just let the
boys work. But I've been thinking all
the time, and I've got a plan l believe
and place to hide within fifty yards Of
1t. That is. think l do; it won't cost
much TO test it, anyhow
Here the cateran went on and told the
girl his plans. They were very simple,
and were to be acted upon at once. That
afternoon she made second visit TO Du-
buQue and gave him a thin cloth cap
without being detected, and also a round
bar of India rubber about a foot long and
an inch and half in diameter.
could knock cow down with that
said Dubuque, and never leave q mark.
It's better than sandbag.' The girl also
proffered him pistol.
'''Kill them, Joe, if they try to stop
you,' and her eyes lighted with antici-
Uated slaughter. like a eats.
ss'No.' said Dubuque, drawing back. |
L don't mind tap or two with a billy or
a sandbag, but l won't murder. | never
killed man, and I never will. Phi keen
that sin off my hands, and Dubnnne
crossed himself devoutly. He was
strong Catholic.
ssThe girl went away. At 4;3D that affair