The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-07-24
TWO TIGHT CORNERS.
EXCITING CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF
A POLICE CAPTAIN.


Stnlwart Murderer and a Narrow
Escape From Death at the HYnds OF
an Armed Maniac.
Eyes, we have to deal With some I
queer people and some dangerous peo-
ple," said police captain, land must
say. but not boastfully, that we now
and then have to use judgment that
is at once quick and reliable re-
member several years ago we had a
highwayman in the station house who
had shot man and robbed him. He
was a dangerous criminal and a
mighty powerful man, and he was in
q good position to go down for life or
be executed. for his victim was at the
point of death. One night he asked
that be sent to his cell. had arrest
ed him and had tried to get a confess
sion from him, but all my efforts had
been vain. He had taken a violent
dislike to me, and he had laughed at
all my endeavors. The deduction |
made when heard he wished to see
me was that he had changed his mind
and intended to confess. so | went to
"'Captain. said he in a confiding
way, Il want you to come in here and
sit down. This secret is making a
wreck of me- and 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.
"'The doctor says he cannot live
replied.
'''Then the chances for my going to
the chair are better than goodw asked
he.
81 replied that they We're. The pris-
oner lapsed apparently into deep medi-
tation, and while the spell was upon
him he paced up and down the cell
Suddenly be slammed the door of the
cell, placed himself before me and said
in rather fearsome voice:
"I've finished one and if do two
can get nothing worse than the chair
Saying which, he leaped at me. lead
ing out a powerful blow as he did so.
was. of course, up and ready for
him and had a 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 a
match for me even up. don't know
how did it. If he had got the best of
me just for a second, | would have
been pounded to death; there is no
doubt of that. ! 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 never spent five buster
minutes in my life. Oh. he's in prison
now. He's doing 20 years.
81 remember another little expert
ence had that is not easy to forget
l was sitting in my private office one
afternoon when well built, stylish.
clad young man entered, bowed pleas
antly and sat down on the edge of thu
sofa
"I never was down in this part Q
the city BEFORE he said, and, bein.
here thought I'd stop in and visi
with you
"'That's right l rejoned. I'm al
ways glad to receive callers
. 81 looked closely at the man.
couldn't place him at all. 1t seeme'
that had seen him some place toe
He was about 80 years old. was stall
wart and had an attractive face tina
| LII.
"'Beg pardon. my friend said
but really can't just place you.
know we've met but where?
"'No, we haven't met before.
never saw you before today in my life
V Pm from Baltimore. I've heard of 20
a lot Of times
"The dialogue Jagged for few me
mcnts, and in that time | scrutinize
the stranger. He mystified me in
4 small degree and was interested i
: him. He broke the silence:
9 "'Say, captain, I've got somethin
+ very important to see you about. l.
o just close this door, and it's just as we
n that no one knows what we do or sa,
v Now, ! wish first to impress you wit
q the importance Of this meeting. 1t
d the most momentous occasion of N
u life, and on its success or failure d.
ponds my future. Captain Ghe stral
ger leaned over and whispered in N
earl Pm going to cut your throatv
n 81 was sitting with my profile to I'll
a. stranger, and he was leaning towal
ID me. Casting my eyes sidewise, ! sa
rs that he held an opened razor in b
a right hand | did not move immed
IF ately.
in $50 you're going to cut my throat
N | said. quietly turning part wa
le around
to Eyes, captain. have been cor
De manGed by God to do SO. Pm sorr
III but it must be done. Get ready
is That's all right, my friend. T.
Of perfectly willing you shall carry o.
Of your mission; but, to tell the truth,
hate to get blood all over my furntu
here. 1t wouldn't be nice to dirty l
the office, would it? Suppose we go
ou the back roomY
ce "That'll do. Come on reioined Il