The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-21
1T TAKES NERVE.
Lite of a station Agent Down in In
dian Territory.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
1t requires nerve and good judgment
to be an agent of the railroads at many
stations in the Indian territory. The
railroad station is the rendezvous of
idlers and tough men who delight i'm
annoying passengers who alight from
the trainS-not SO much now as of yore,
but occasionally, when filled up with
alcohol, the bad men will break out
even now. Some of the stations on the
railroads are literally ridded with bull
let's, while many Of the agents have
suffered all kinds of annoyance and in
dignitieS Mark Witmar, now at Ca
toosa, was for a time at Red Fork. While
at the latter place as agent of the Fris-
co he was busily engaged receiving a
message one night when a man entered
the depot hurriedly The agent did not
look up until Re heard a gruff voice
command:
Throw up your hands!"
Wait until l take this message"
said Witmar, "and I will talk to you"
ITO hi with your message. l 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 q 40
six-shooter was pointed.
Now l am ready to hear what you
have got to say" was the agents cool
response.
II say throw up your hands while
YOU listen to me-" said the bandit.
II will never throw up my hands to
anybody but God" was Witmar's re-
ply.
"Well, am Gods agent, under
stand" growled the bad man. "and 1
say up with your hands, and be quick
about it."
We'll, air, / am the agent Of this rail-
road company, and I'll be id If I
obey" was Witmar's dead game reply.
Just at that stage Of the game foot
steps were heard outside on the plat
form, and the would-be robber made a
dash for the door and disappeared in
the darkness.
Another incident in which an agent
at Sapulpa played the star part is
worth recording. One night when all
was quiet at the station, Bill Cook, the
notorious outlaw, came in and pushed
murderous-looking weapon through
the ticket window, and commanded the
agent to give up the cash in his poses
sion.
"Bill," said the agent, take that in
fernal gun away; 1 don't like to look in
the muzzle of Winchesters, nohow. You
know me well enough to be dead GER
tain that / will never give up. / amt
built that way"
Yes, know you, Jim, and hate to
have to do this. If the stuff in there
| was yours / wouldn't touch 1t, but me
| and Cherokee are broke, and must ask
| you to shell out" said Cook"
You are very considerate of me, Bill,
| so Just take that cussed gun away. 1t
! is very unpleasant to converse with a
| gentleman while gazing into a cool
| steel tube. You might yet nervous,
and the thing would go off. There isn't
a dollar in the office, except seven left
| for my months pay. i sent every cent
away on the evening train. If you run
fast enough you might catch that and
hold it up" replied the nervy agent.
"I--n if you amt cool enough to be a
member of my gang" said Cook, low
ering his gun. There's two jugs OF
whisky there among the express pack
ages, for l know who ordered them, so
| just hand them over and Wen call ii
| square"
81 won't hand you thing. You may
come in and take the stuff, but I'll see
you In the hottest corner of hades be-
fore you'll make me hand you anything
from this office, no matter if you have
got the drop on me-" and the agent
never moved from his seat.
'I amt a d-n bit proud" said Cook
pushing the door open with his Win
chester, which he could handle quicker
than man could a six-shooter, walked
in, took the packages and backed out
Good night" he said, as he 6isap-
peared through the outside door
| ''Tll send Cherokee Bill around next
time when l know there is stuff in the
till"
You can send your whole id
gang" yelled the agent after the de-
parting desperado. They can't blum
me-, Now know you arc in town I'll
be prepared for you or any of the gang
that calls
Such little episodes as these help to
make the life of the station agent
cheerful down in the territory and re-
lieve the monotony of stamping tickets
hustling freight, loading cattle and
numerous other duties that they are
called upon to perform.
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