The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1895-12-19
TRAPPED BY TELEGRAPH
BY CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD

While in a small town in Wyoming
territory learned that q lady living thers
had been the heroine of . thrilling 40
venture with train robbers, and curiosity
and love for the brave induced me to cal
on her to tell me the story. When
went to her house I was welcomed by {
handsome lady of about 80. and in re
Spouse to my earnest request for this ont
chapter of her life she related the follow
ing:
"In 1873, when but girl Of IS, LEFT
my home in Omaha and came out to al
the lonesome position of night operator q
at small station on the Pacific railway il
this territory. It was dreary, desolat'
spot in the midst Of q desert. The only
buildings at the station, aside from thu
depot, were a section house occupied BY
the track foreman and few Chinese Ia
borers; a water tank and Q coal shed
The day operator and agent, mere boy
slept at the section house, 200 yards dis
tant, so that during the long and dreary
nights was alone in the depot.
mo. express train, bound east, wal
due at 2:l5 in the morning, but it never
stopped unless signalled, and as this was
the only train daring the latter portion Of
the night you can immagine my lonely
situation upon the desert wild. ] had
my looks and guitar for companions. and
passed much of the time reading, and
when the doleful bowling Of the wolves
were borne to my ears from the distant
sand hills, would pick mp my guitar
and endeavor to drown their cries with
music and song.
''The superintendent Of the division, a
buoyant, light-spirited young gentler an
came over the road at frequent intervals
and cheered me up with promises of 9
better position when vacancy should
occur. He often found me on the very
brink Of despair, almost at the point O.
resigning my position and returning Il
my humble home and the mother who de
pended on my salary for the necessaries
OF life, but his promises, his genial con
versation and words of encouragement
drove away the gloom and came to lool
for his visits with a sense OF the keenes
pleasure. began to regard him with 6
sisterly affection, he was 30 kind ant
tender and solicitous for my welfare ant
comfort.
Zone night shortly after midnight, Al
sat at my table reading late novel,
thought heard shutting footstep OF
the depot platform, but as 1t was not re
peated concluded that it was a vol
more daring than his cowardly fellows
and resumed my book. A few moments
later heard low knocking at the door,
which | always kept locked, and q
strange feeling came over me. During
my several weeks stay at the station l
had never had visitor, and the sudden
knock, SO low, yet 80 startling clear in
the stiffness OF the night caused my form
to tremble and my cheek to blanch."
MY first thought was Of Indians. and
then l reasoned that it might be tramp
desiring shelter. While sat there in at
fright the knock was repeated louder
than before, and mastering all my cour
age approached the door and asked:
Who's there?'
"a gruff voice replied:
"a traveller who desires to take th.
east bound train
1T was my plain, unmistskable dut,
to admit him, and with trembling finger
drew the bolt.
INSTANTLY the door was push ed violent
ly open and sprang back to the tsbl,
and sank into my chair in terror wher
seven burly men wearing cloth masks on
their faces and armed to the teeth enter
ed the Office. One of them, evidently
the leader, walked up to me and, point
ed large revolver at my head, said in {
low, firm voice:
Gal, we don't want to hurt you, bu
if you make a suspicious move or scream
or give any alarm 90 that any o. the mer
in the section house kin hear you I'll spill.
the looks OF that purity face with bullet
Be quiet and sensible and behave your
self and yer shsnt be hurt. Whar's We,
red signal lamp
What would you do?.
None O. yer business. We don't
want to hear any unnecessary back tails
nor no impertinent questions. Whar's
the red signal lamp?'
ga chill Of horror swept over me when
the truth burst upon me that was in the
hands OF of band Of desperate train rob.
bers, whose evident intention was to sig
nal the train and rob the express car al
my station. What could I do? 1t was
yet three hours until the train was due
but could not elude my captors to roust
men. and knew by the ugly CLEAN in
the leaders eyes through the holes in BIZ
mask, that II made the least outcry b,
would not hesitate 10 carry out his threa
aud murder me. knew they could fine
the lamp easily by searching for it, anC
in trembling voice told them it Wal
hanging just inside the door Of the freigh
room. One of the men got it and after
examining it to see that it was in order
the rough band took seats TO wait the in
coming train.
"fhe leader Ii. his pipe and. looking a
me steadily for few moments. said:
Young gal, when that'ar train toots