Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-08

not want to see bloodshed, believing the life
of one of his reporters of more value than
a thousand thugs. He told Hogan to hold
up, and endeavored to gain by diplomacy
what he deemed could not be accomplished
by force. He consulted with Charlie Nit
cheli and "Parson" Davis OF Chicago
Mitchell stating that all he desired was to
be carried outside Of the limits of Missis-
sippi beyond the fear of danger Of errest
Meanwhile. the train had been ordered to
go ahead by Manager Thomas, and was
proceeding to New Orleans at high rate
CT speed
While the above parleying was going on
upon the front platform, threats of murder
against anybody who would dare to pull
the coupling pin We're flying thick and
fast inside the Mr.. Jules RoZfer, a
well-known merchant Of Memphis, and a
lifelong friend of Hogan, walked up to the
''St. Joe Kid and several others. saying:
IF you harm hair of Hogans head, or
any man connected with the Associated
Press, I'll promise you that the first men
killed will be some of yourselves, and I'll
also promise you that not one of you will
get out of Mississippi alive" Charlie
Matchell, seeing that matters were taking
rather serious turn. counseled peace
among his fellows, believing, undoubtedly,
that he would not be able to evade 40 as
successfully as he did john i. Sullivan at
Chantilly, France.
Hogan Confronts sIitchel1's Crowd.
When Informed of the threats made
against him, Hogan jumped off The tender
walked back into the car, his hand On the
trigger, and in language more forcib1e than
polite his blue eyes blazing with determi-
nation and defiance, exclaimed, addressing
Mitchell and his "select coterie" OF toughs
LET me say to you that, If Mr.. Thomas in
structs me to pull that coupling pin, I'll
pull it in spite of all the d. prize fighters
on top of earth! There are others just as
handy with gun as you are!"
The incidents above related were sue
ceeded by others of almost equal danger.
Twice before reaching the Louisiana line
the train had to dash through two COM
panies of Mississippi troops, who Signaled
the engineer to stop, making threat ening
displays Of firearms, but, acting under in
structions the efforts of the troops were
diSregarded.
Just as the train was approaching Nichol-
son the eng neer discovered a squad of troops
on the track, with arms stacked. while
in front Of them were others waving the
train to come to a halt. The engineer be-
gan to slow up, and had almost come to q
dead stop. when Hogan, who had been dele
gated to ride with the engineer, and stop for
nothing, and whose back was turned at the
| time, looked around, and, realizing the sit
uation instantly, said to the engineer: Pull
your throttle wide open and let her go.
D-n the troops"' The engineer obeyed
dashing by the troops, scattering some of
the stacked arms right and left. AS the
train passed some of the Mississippi troops
leveled their rifles. as if in the act of firing
at the train. to the terror and dismay of
those on board.
The Reporters Get Away.
The train reached Lake Ponchartrain
without further effort at impeding it's pro-
gress Across the lake there is a trestle-
work seven miles in length. without side
pieces Or protection of any kind. The speed
across this water span was terrific, so much
so it seemed to those aboard that the train
would fly the track. But the engineer re-
ceived no orders to slacken speed and
sigh of relief went up from all when the
train reached terra firma. When the other
side of the lake was reached the train was
within mile or so of Sldell six and a half
miles from New Orleans, when it was flag
ged ts allow the Cincinnati express to pass.
No sooner had the express cleared the
switch than, at prearranged signal, one
of the Associated Press staff cut the bell
rope, another pulled the coupling pin, and
the engineer pulled the throttle wide open
Manager Thomas, who remained on the
train for a blind" seeing the engine. with
his staff aboard, rapidly receding in the
distance for the first time realized that his
efforts had proved successful.
When the train dashed into the New
Orleans depot an immense crowd was pres
emit Carriages were hastily procured the
party driven like wildfire to the Associated
Press rooms, and at exactly 3: 80 pm. Jack
Hogan began debating the first official news
OF the fight to the afternoon papers the
entire night being consumed in preparing
the report for the morning dailies. And
thus was accomplished one of the greatest