The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-19

ed. There were sounds of people NOV
ing quickly about in the house.
open the door, shouted Smith.
wait till we get dressed" came from
within.
The officers had to wait. 1t was sew
eral minutes before the door was open
ed. When it was there was a scramble
for the people inside to get out. Smith
inspected them all as they passed him
to see if they were the ones that were
wanted Then he entered and searched
the house.
He could find no one he wanted. al
though members of the gang were in
the habit of staying there. The girl
who gave the alarm at the house was
questioned.
What did you come over here for?"
asked the chief.
ITO borrow some snuff she answer
ed.
What, at midnight?''
Yes. 1 wanted to sneeze," she an
swered.
The officers made a thorough search
of the place and were forced to leave
without making capture
A consultation was held and it was
decided to search all the houses where
members of the gang were in the habit
of staying. The officers crossed the
creek in single file on the shaky log,
made their way along the edge of the
creek to a house in a district known as
''HeIl'S Half Acre"
The neighborhood was alive with
dogs, keeping their distance but growl-
ing and barking at the officers heels.
1t would be impossible to surprise any
one with such a following. The officers
were afraid to shoot the dogs for fear
of spreading the alarm SO they gather
ed together pile of stones and charged
the dogs, driving them in every direc-
ton. After that the dogs kept away
from them but their movements could
be marked by the noise along their
route.
Emerging from the woods along the
creek they made a rush across an open
space and surrounded a house stand
ing near the edge of the creek. After
considerable shouting the door was
opened, the house was searched and the
officers were told that two of the mem
bers of the gang had left there an hour
before and said they were going home
Again the officers started on their
hunt Across a plowed field. through u
tangle of berry bushes and under
barb-wire fence they went to be con-
fronted by A solid wall of hedge Ser
geant Owen led the way. He drew his
Jack knife and in a few moments had
a hole cut big enough for a man to
crawl through with great danger of
scratches and pricks from the thornS
but all got through.
1t was Finus Davis they were after,
one of the leaders of the gang. His
parents live at Fifteenth and Quincy
streets. The officers approached the
house and as usual the dogs commenced
town has at least two dogs. Officer
Matthews was to guard the house at
the back. He went around and as ne
approached the fence at the rear he
heard an ominous growl. He stopped to
reconnoitre. The dog was large yellow
hound but it was chained, so over the
fence he leaped. The dog leaped, and
the chain snapped. Matthews executed
a leap to one side and grabbed for
rock Something flew through the air.
1t was well aimed, for dull thud and
a howl was the result.
Chief Ramsey raped at the front
door. No answer. He pounded. No
answer. He took out his billy and
bombarded the panels of the door, but
to no purpose. He ratified the front
Who's there?" asked a woman's
voice.
1.-The chief of police
Lord a massa, at this time of night?
Why 1 amt dressed chile. Whatever
want?"
Il want Finus Davis
The door was opened an inch and a
face appeared.
Now jes you wait, sonny till 1 gets
back inter bed den you'uns ken come
in Soon there was the noise of creak-
ing bed springs and the chief entered.
Finus was sleeping peacefully. The
chief shook him. He opened his eyes,
looked at the chiefs star and at the
sergeant in uniform standing at the
foot of his bed and he dived under the
dressed.
Where does willard Robinson live?'
asked the chief when they reached the
sidewalk
4 dunno sir"
None of that. Take us to the house
or it win go hard with YOU
'-AH right
Again the little cavalcade took up its
march. The boy led the party through
the fair grounds to the west side.
Where does he live"'' asked the chief.
Down there" said the boy pointing
toward the creek. There's two houses
just alike and he lives in one of them
(which one?"
Il dunno which one''
The party started. They soon left
sidewalks and streets and took across
an open field. Then they came to a
ravine 20 feet deep with banks steep
and cFumbling.
Can we cross further DOWN." asked
the chief.
Yes" replied the boy. The party
walked a half a mile and the ravine
grew deeper and wider. Another quar-
ter Of a mile and the chief decided that
the further they went the worse the
rayine grew.
officer Matthews slid down the bank
to see if they could cross IT'S a good
long jump" he shouted UP from the
darkness below. Its better than walk