Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-09-25
TWO TIGHT CORNERS.
EXCITING CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE or
A POLICE CAPTAIN.

A Hard Struggle For Life With n
StaITart Murderer and "A Narrow
Escape From Death at the Hands of
an Armed Maniac.
Yes, we have TO deal with some
queer people and some dangerous peo-
pie said police captain, and l must
say. but not boastfully, that we now
and then have to Use judgment that
is at once quick and reliable. l re-
member several years ago we had Il
highwayman in the station house who
had shot a man and robbed him. He
was a dangerous criminal and 4
mighty powerful man. and he was in
a good position TO 20 down for life or
be executed. for his victim was n the
point of death. One night he asked
that L be sent to his cell. l had arrest
ed him aud had tried to get Il confeS
sion from him. but all my efforts had
been vain. He had taken Il violent
dislike to me, and he had laughed at
all my endeavorS. The deduction /
made when | heard Ee wished to see
me was that he had changed his mind
and intended To confess. 50 ! went 10
the cellroom and talked with him.
Captain said he in a cOnfdinG
way. 1 want YOU to come III here and
sit down. This secret Is making
wreck of me. and l want TO tell you
everything
He seemed quite penitent and with
out any hesitation | opened the cell
door and sat down on the bench beside
him.
lis Mr.. - going to die| was his
first question.
1.-The doctor says he cannot live /
replied.
Then the chances for my going to
the chair are better than goodT asked
lie.
81 replied that they were. The pris-
oner lapsed apparently into deep nedi-
tation. and while the spell was upon
him lie paced up and down the cell.
Suddenly he slammed the door of the
cell placed himself before me and said
in q rather fearsome voice:
1--WE finished one, and if do two l
can get nothing worse than the chair
Saying which. he leaped at me. lead
ing out i powerful blow as he did so.
1 was. of course. up and ready for
him and had Il billy in my hand. He
had nothing but his big fists, feet and
teeth, any of which he was ready and
anxious to use, but he was twice Il
match for me even up. / don't know
how l did il. If he had got the best of
me just for Il second, l would have
been pounded TO death; there is no
doubt of that. l raped him on the
head time and time again with my
billy, felt his blood flying over me,
heard him snarl and also felt the i'm
print of his powerful fists. 1t took me
five minutes to lay him out. and
must say that l never spent five buster
minutes in nay life. Oh. he's in prison
now. He's doing 20 years.
81 remember another little expert
ence l had that is not easy to forget.
1 was sitting in my private office one
afternoon when Il well built. stylishly
clad young man entered, bowed pleas
antly and sat down ON the edge of the
sofa.
81 never was down in this part CT
the city before he said, and, being
here. l thought I'd stop in and visit
with you
That's right l rejoined. I'm al
ways glad to receive callers
Il looked closely at the man.
couldn't place him at all. 1t seemed
that had seen him some place too.
He was about so years Old, was stall
wart and had an attractive face that
bore Slight traces of dissipation.
BEG pardon. my friend said l.
but l really can't just place you. I
know we've met. but where?
mo. we haven't met before. I
never Jaw you before today in my life.
I'm from Baltimore. I've heard of you
i lot of times
THE dialogue Jagged for 4 few mo-
ments, and in that time | scrutinized
the stranger. He mystified me in 4
small degree. and was interested in
him. He broke the silence:
Say. captain. I've got something
very important TO see you about. I'll
just close this door. and it's just as wen
that no one knows what we do or say.
Now, l wish first to impress you with
the Importance of this meeting. 1t is
the most momentous occasion of my
life. and on its success or failure de-
ponds my future. Captain Uhe stran-
ger leaned over and whispered in my
earl, I'm going to cut your throat"
Il was sitting with my profile To the