Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-03-14
AWTHORNE, ESMERALDA COUNTY, NEVADA MARCH II, 1894

My foot has become cramped, re-
manning in one position so long, re-
piled, as carelessly as | could, although
my heart was in my throat.
I'm so sorry he said sarcastically.
| commenced calling r. again. 1t was
now l0:40 o'clock and No. 80 must have
left Rands
TOO latel Too late. Oh, my God!
the agony of those moments was terri
BILE.
"Ah, some one broke me; i-i-R.'
Robbers are going to wreck No. 80
At trestle just north of her
81 was ticking when suddenly re-
ceived blow that sent me to the floor
and left the key wide open.
"'D-n you, what were you ticking
on them wiresY cried the outlaw
"'How can send anything with my
footy tremblingly exclaimed. That's
just habit of understanding on the
key with my heel.
"'Habit or no habit, you won't put
your feet on this table again tonight
HE evidently believed that | could
not send with my heel. but it was not
his intention to take any chances.
81 wondered what the operator at
Rands would do-put on his ground
wire and report what had said to the
dispatcher, or just think was trying
to scare him and lock up his Office to
90 home. thought the latter more
probable.
Anyway it was now too late to stop
the i'll fated fast mail; it would soon
plunge off the trestle, carrying its cargo
of human beings to certain death
"I lay there waiting for the dreadful
crash to come in such an agony Of sus-
pense that the next day strands of gray
were found in my hair. All! how
blamed myself for not thinking of using
my heel before did.
Suddenly the sounds Of rifleshots in
quick succession came from the trestle
"'The boys are attackedr exclaimed
the desperate excitedly, but, by Cd.
you shall not escape unhurtr And plac-
ing the muzzle of his revolver close to
my head he fired.
81 fell back unconscious.
"When regained my senses the room
was full of men, one of whom was band
aging a wound on my head, and explain
ing to the others the extent of the same
GA close shave but only scalp
wound, men, he was saying l dare
say he will be all right in few days.
All! he is conscious now, he said ten.
derby as slowly opened my eyes Tell
tc all n bo11t II yp11no man
"It was rather a laborious task, as the
wound on my head was exceedingly
painful, but | went ahead and related
the whole occurrence, from the time
the pistol was pressed against my head
until was shot.
when had finished, the gentleman
who had bandaged my head. and who
afterward discovered was doctor. ex-
planned how Operator Rhodes, at Rands,
when he heard my message did not wait
for the key to close. but ran out doors.
mounted his horse, which he had al
ready saddled and bridled to ride to
his home after he had reported No. 32
and cut through the woods at break
neck speed. He knew that No 80 inva-
four miles from Rands by rail, but only
two through the woods He had reached
there just in time to climb on the rear
car and give the alarm.
"The train was then run ahead until
within about two miles of Hamlin, and
the conductor and detachment OF
United States soldiers, who were luckily
ON board, went ahead on foot and sur
prised the outlaws, who showed resist
ance and were fired into, two of them
being instantly killed. The Others were
at that moment ornamenting telegraph
pole.
"And now my narrative draws to a
close. Two weeks later | was ordered
toreport here, and was given the position
of second trick dispatcher.
"My promotion dates from that day.
"'But what did Mr.. Rhodes geH some
one asked
"Mr. Rhodes is now chief dispatcher I"
Chicago Mail.