The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22
CHAINED A TRAN no THE TRACK.
Ingenious ExDedient of an Indiana
Sheriff.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and
necessity caused Sheriff Donahue of Bra
iii, Ind, to invent what is perhaps the
most unique plan ever thought of to col
lect a bad debt The sheriff in question
had a number of claims against the Chi
cago and Southeastern Railway Com
pany, placed in his hands for collection
Several attempts had been made previous
ly 20 collect these bills. but without sue
cess, as the railroad absolutely refused
to pay. SO, when Sheriff Donahue was
given instructions TO collect these bills, no
matter what means were employed In per-
forming the act he realized that he would
be called upon TO exercise his inventive
powers in order to make the company dis
gorge.
Sheriff Donahue has the necessary
nerve required for a man in his position,
even If ne may not lok It, and when he
undertakes anything, he will carry q
through no matter how great the odds pit
ted against him. He has written the story
Of his somewhat unusual experience and
1t is here given for the FIRST time
Some people think that when / chain
ed a passenger train TO a track to collect
several judgments that did very risky
piece Of business, but do not look at the
Smith and Mr.. r. W. Englehart Of this
city placed two judgments in my hands,
amounting to $40 against the Chicago
and Southeastern Railway Company. II
was my duty as an officer Of the law and
sheriff of this county TO use every means
IN my power 10 satisfy these claims Ana
this Is exactly what ] did:
so / decided on a poQgIlgr course ~ ag.
ton. and prepared 10 carry out my plans.
I repaired 10 the depot Of the company
ln Brazil, armed with r. heavy log-chain
and several smaller chains. When the
regular passenger train came through in
the afternoon. az 2l0 ] was in readiness
10 do my part. No sooner had the train
come 20 "A fun stop than ] was up on the
front part Of ne engine getting my log
chain over the boiler and locking " 10 the
rails. Before any OF the officials on tho
train knew what WAS up ] had the engine
locked fast 10 the track. The engineer
and conductor came up and clustered
around me- and made an kinds OF threats
but showed my papers and authority Tor
doing what had and they went on and
held consultation
"ln the meantime SAT down on tho
cowcatchcr Of the engine. aud revolver Do
hand, stood guard over my temporary
property. All the passengers on the train
came forward a. soon as they found ont
what was up and tried 20 induce me ~
let the train proceed. but ! remained rm
against an their eutreatiea. The train
crew was ln dilemma. ana did not know
what 90 DO. 40 The conductor tclepraphrI
10 the division superintendent
AFTER tolrRraphinE back and forth
number Of times che head officials or thn
road nnailY decided BE- would be- the better
plan fo pay me- N and 20 ON their Waf
naHr0HhIf Accordingly after 1 uaa unIa
$40 in good coin of fho realm Z unlocked
fnn nHdlDokH. removed che chain from
iho engine. ans. nncr four hours naIf
10 pulled oui from fhr station amid fhl
cheering ~ fhe rr1Wd fhHt had collected
ln anticipation n trouble.