The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-06
TRAPPING A BURGLAR.


ADOut the mosL unusual experience
in my career" remarked the grizzled old
detective, as he added another photo
graph to the rogues' gallery, Happened
In northern Michigan 10 or u years ago.
1t borders on the Hawkshaw style of
story, but it is nevertheless true. The
safe at the street car barns, then located
on Michigan avenue, between Wabash
avenue and Thirteenth street, was broken
open and a considerable sum of money
stolen. My partner and l were detailed
on the case, and we succeeded in arrest
ing one Of the burglars. The other we
learned had left town, and I was put on
his trail. At that time what was known
as the Minneapolis and South Shore road
was in course of construction, and / re-
Ceived tip that my man, whom l knew
IN professional capacity, had secured
a situation on the construction force. It
was midwinter, and the snow lay heavy
on the ground. AT ST. Ignace I made
the acquaintance Of the civil engineer in
charge Of the new road and arranged
with him to become an inspector.
appropriately disguised, | boarded a
construction engine and was taken to
within ten miles Of Trout Lake. which
was a junction point of the new road
had to walk the remaining distance, and
at Trout Lake I engaged accommodations
at the makeshift boarding house, which
was a pine shanty about 40 feet long and
10 feet wide. It was a miserable, unin-
wiling place, built Of culled lumber and
provided with narrow hunks, and the
fare was combination calculated to de-
Yeiop ali the ugly traits IN a mans ma
ture. Perhaps it was the 'globby' fat
pork, stale brown sugar and vile black
coffee that made the workmen i'll temper
ed. Anyway, I never met a more sour
visaged lot in all my life, and I anticipat-
ed trouble from the start.
Though I did not believe my man,
whom / soon recognized, was sure Of nv
identity, l knew I was regarded with
suspicion. My work as an inspector was.
to use a slang phrase, very coarse and
/ soon fell into disfavor The suspicion
Of the men grew and with them the Wig
lance of the burglar I wanted. I soon
learned that every man IN the camp was
bis friend. They knew that he was
lawbreaker, but he had established him
self as favorite, and they determined
TO protect him. I tried several strategic
moves without avail. OF course. I had
my revolver and handouts and the law
behind me, but the law In that wild. Sc
cluded spot was about as effeetual as a
toy pistol against a fort fully equipped
with toy cannon. I was miles from
means OF communication, and I conclud-
ed that I must make a bold stand for it
or abandon the criminal
L had secured q bunk directly across
FnF u ice EE.-4 II
tempt to escape by night, and during the
day l lived up to my role of inspector
SO FAR as his work was concerned. Dur
ing those days and nights of suspense
how I prayed that the civil engineer
might come down and help me out Of my
dilemma. It seems, however, that he
was engaged at some other section of the
line, and the time of his coming was in
definite. For three nights | lay awake
watching every movement of my friend
IN the opposite bunk and trying to plan
some means Of getting away with him
peaceably Finally, one morning just as
the gray Of the dawn was beginning to
peep through the windows and the camp
seemed to be in its profoundest sleep,
Mr.. Burglar drowsily dropped an arm
over the side of the board His other
arm was also in view and entirely free
from the blankets.
IN take him now or never, and it'n /
be dead or alive for both of u.s. l I
thought. The thought gave speed to my
actions. l was already dressed, as | |
had slept with my clothes on through I
out my stay in the camp. and to get
noiselessly to his side and slip the hand
cuffs on his exposed wrists was but the I
work of a moment. OF course, he was
ol~o I~,~f4 IL
bed, staring as though disturbed by
troubled dream. / clapped one hand over
his mouth to sti6c an cutlery, and with /
the other I pressed the muzzle Of my re-
volver against his forehead
Raise an alarm, I whispered, and /
I'll blow your brains out. 1t may be the |
end of us both, but I'm willing to take
the chances. Now, are you willing to
get up quietly and come with me to De
troit to stand trial, or are you going to
arouse the camp and get shotY
III come, he assented.
1.-THE fellow, like me, was already dress
ed, in preparation for emergencies, and |
succeeded in getting him up and out of
the house without awakening the chorus
Of snorers. With revolver in hand, l
marched my prisoner out into the road.
removed one Of the cuffs and attached it
to my wrist.
Now, said I, we must make run
for it,
"'Can't rum be grumbled.
Perhaps this viii help YOU I sug
gested, pointing a revolver at him. And
it did persuade him to strike a pretty
good lope.
Locked together. I with my revolver
ready in r'y right hand, we must have
presented a peculiar sight that cold, gray
morning as we hurried over the snow
shrouded country. Well, l gave that
fellow the longest and hardest run he
ever had IN his life. Then, when |
thought we were safe from pursuit, /
walked HIM. 1t was IS miles to the 500,
and we were a tired looking pair when
we got there. I never learned how the
news Of the fight Of the burglar and the
detective affected that lonesome, out Of
tho xvQv conformation oonon Was no