The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-29

coun,ed and IN his cell at night he
spent his time in calculations. lie dis-
covered the exact number OF revolutions
the wheel made per minute. lie learned
also. by constant observation. just how
many times the belt went round after
the engine was shut down
"One evening when the line mad been
formed as usual at the close or the days
work. and as the big wheel began to lose
ia momentum. suddenly "A convict
sprang from the line, leaped 10 the belt
with outstretched arms graphing both
edges OF the broad leather. lie had cal
culated well the strength mat would be
required, for the terrific wrench did not
loosen his grasp. OutwOrd and upward
he swung until he reached the tOpmost
point OF the circumference. The nicely
Of his calculation had reaped It's reward.
The belt stopped. lie leaped to his feet,
sprang through the WINDOW and was
gone before convicts or guards had re-
covered from their establishment. lie
caught up a guard s coat and hat. drop
ped from the wall, and got away in the
dusk OF evening. l am inclined TO be-
lieve that as a mathematical proposition
that was about as perfect a piece OF
work as any man ever accomplishment
And did he get away without recap
ture?" some one asked.
NO, L am almost sorry TO say. he did
not" answered the Los Angeles Chief,
FOR that ought by rights to be the de-
nouement of such a story, which COM
bines so much Of daring and cleyerness.
Steadman was again taken In n short
time and put 10 work at his old Job.
There are bars over hat high window
above the big drive belt now. Not long
after this the %Steadman cut and nearly
killed one OF the other conyicts, and is
now serving out an additional sentence
for attempted murder. at the Folsom
prison, which IS situated some twenty
eight miles from Sacramento"
BALDWIN'S GREAT RAID.
Sometimes you hear Of one man sin
gle handed and alone arresting four or
five people" said a superintendent OF an
Eastern city. 'but that slender man
over there with the black mustaehe and
bronzed face ought 20 hold the record,
and | am inclined to believe that he does.
Thai man is W. O. Baldwin. of Roanoke.
Va, and he is chief OF detectives for
the Norfolk and western Railroad, n
chief Of the iron and coal police Of West
Virginia. ne took seven men with him
at one time and brought back an average
OF t%hirty-nine prisoners for each man.
About two years ago there was establish
ed at Roslyn, Va, a big gambling Joint.
BtlIR SITUATED just dNlWr9 AAt AlhNA HUM
GEORGETOWN and easy Of access from
Washington. the plant waxed strong and
the syndicate behind IL grew so powerful
as TO laugh at ali attempts az interfer-
ence. Baldwin bed made a reputation I'm
his country. having been mixed up moro
or less with the celebrated Hatfield
Mccoy feud. He had arrested five Of the
leaders In that trouble. one Of whom was
hanged n three were sent over the
road for lifo. Ito heard OF the Roslyn
layout and declared hat were he given
the opportunity he would arrest tho
whole outnt and break up the gang. Hs
was given the chance. But he went at
It in a different way from that which
any had anticipated. With seven men
he deliberately attempted and success
fully accomplished tho arrest oeOver 900
He quietly stationed one detective at
each entrance and exit. Then we walked
20 the center OF the big han and with
a gun in each hand announced 70 the
astonished gamblers that every man
within sound OF his voice was under
arrest. The majority Of those present
were b%artenders and butchers. and they
fell each other and rolled and tum-
bled on the floor in their efforts 10 reach
the doors. when they got TO one and
found two gun barrels barring the way
they rushed for another exit. II was
confusion worse. COMPOUNDED. There
were irresponsible ones who wanted 20
fight. The detectives did not finch.
qwo OF the gamblers were shot and
killed IN the first impetuous rush 20 get
away. The $40 remaining decided that
they had really no desire 20 go across
tho Potomac in pine boxes. The coup
was a complete success. After Baldwin
had arranged for tho care OF his small
army OF prisoners he and his detectives
demolished over $1,000 worth OF gamb-
ling utensils"
This Is a progressive age. and the Grim
NAL classes are not falling behind the
procession" said a chief whose inhabi-
tants number several hundred thousand.
and whose name is not given for obvious
reasons. THE thief Of to-day has more
daring and will take greater chances
than the man engaged I'm tho same line
Of work would have reamed OF twenty
years ago. Tho Police departments have
got 10 keep moving, and at a rapid rate,