The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-11
Nerve Needed in the business.

1t requires nerve and good Judgment to
be an agent of the railroads at many sta
lions in the Indian territory, says the St.
Louis GIo5e-DemOcrat. The railroad sta
ton is the rendezvous of idlers and tough
men, who delight in annoying passengers
who alight from the trains-not so much
ROW as Of yore. but occasionally, ryhen
filed up with alcohol. the bad men VIII
break out even now. Some of the stations
on the railroads are literally riddled with
bullets, while many Of the agents have suf-
fered all kinds of annoyance and indlg1i-
ties. Mark Witmar, now at Catoosa, was
for a time at Red Fork. While at the lat
ter place as agent of the Frisco he was
busily engaged receiving a message enc
night when a man entered the depot hur-
rledly. The agent did not look up until
he heard a grun voice command:
Throw up yorr handsr'
wait unulsT take this message" said
WitInar. land 1 viii talk to you
ITO HI with your message. 1 want the
cash in this ranch" the bad man with the
big gun replied, but Witmar never moved
until he finished taking the telegram, and
then he arose and faced the window,
through which a 10 six-shooter was point
60.
Now, am ready TO hear what you have
got to say was the agents cool response.
Il say, throw up your hands while you
listen to me-" said the bandit.
Il win never throw up my hands to any
body but God" was Witmar's reply.
Wei, l am Gods agent, understand -
growed the bad man. land I say VI
with your hands, and be quick about it.
We'll, sir, / am the agent of this rail-
road company, and I'll be id if 1 obey, -
was Witmars dead game reply.
just at that stage of the game footsteps
were heard outside on the platform, and
the would-be robber made a dash for the
door and disappeared in the darkness.
Another incident in which an agent al
Sapulpa played the star part is worth re-
cording. One night, when all was quiet n
the station. Bill Cook, the notorious out
law, came in and pushed murderous
looking weapon through the ticket win
dow and commanded the agent to give I
the cash in his possession.
Bill" said the agent, take that in
fernal gun away; 1 don't like to look ir
the muzzle of Winchesters, nohow You
know me well enough to be dead certain
that 1 will never give up; 1 amt built thai
way"
Yes, 1 know you, Jim, and hate t.
have to do this. If the stuff in there was
yours L wouldn't touch it, but me ant
Cherokee are broke, and 1 must ask yot
to shell out" said Cook.
You are very considerate of me, Bill 81
just take that cussed gun away. 1t is very
unpleasant to converse with a gentleman
while gazing into a cold steel tube. You
might get nervous, and the thing would gC
off. There isn't a dollar in the office, ex
cept seven left for my months pay.
| sent every cent away on the evening train
If you run fast enough you might catch
vol tI,o
agent.
''D-n if you amt cool enough TO be E
member of my gang" said Cook, lowering
his gun. There's two jugs of whisky
there among the express packages, for
know who ordered them,so just hand then
over and Wen call it square"
Il won't hand you a thing. You may
come in and take the stuff, but I'll see you
| in the hottest corner of hades before you'll
make me hand you anything from this Of
| flee, no matter il you have got the drop OF
me- and the agent never, moved from hi!
seat.
Il amt a d-n bit proud" said Cook
pushing the door open with is Winchester
which he could handle quicker than MAJ
! could a six-shooter. walked in, took tn.
packages and backed out. Goodnight,
he said as he disappeared through the out
! side door. til send Cherokee Bill arount
next time when l know there is stuff in tn
| till" ief
You can send your whole id gang,
| yelled The agent after the departing des
! perado. They can't bluff me- Now
know you are in town I'll be prepared 70
you or any of the gang that calls.''
Such little episodes as these help t.
make the life of the station agents cheer
full down in the territory, and relieve tn
monotony of stamping tickets, hustlin,
freight, loading cattle and numerous 9th
er duties that they are called upon to per
| form.