Smyrna times., 1900-10-31
TWO TIGHT CORNERS,
EXCITING CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE OF A
POLICE CAPTAIN.
A Hard Struggle for Life With a Stalwart Muir.
derer and 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, 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 a man and robbed him. He
was a dangerous criminal and
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
the cellrOom and talked with him.
Captain, said he in a confiding
way. 4 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 dieY was his
first question.
0Thn doctor bo oan 4
replied.
"'Then the chances for my going to
the chair are better than goodT asked
he.
81 replied that they were. The pris-
oner lapsed apparently into deep medi-
tatiOn, and while the spell was upon
him he paced up and down the cell
Suddenly he slammed the door of the
cell, placed himself before me and said
in rather fearsome voice:
1--WE finished one. and If do two |
can get nothing worse than the chair
Saying which. he leaped at me. lead.
ing out n powerful blow as he did so.
| was, of course. up and ready for
him and had 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 q
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 nc
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 on'
afternoon when a well built, stylish!
clad young man entered. bowed pleas
antly and sat down on the edge of th'
sofa.
81 never was down in this part o
the city BEFORE he said. and, beini
here, thought I'd stop in and visi
with you
That's right l rejoined. Pm al
way SAdd " ACNCANC NoAACAos
Il looked closely at the man.
couldn't place him at all. 1t SCENE
that | had seen him some place too
He was about 30 years old. was sta
wart and had an attractive face tina
bore slight traces of dissipation.
"'Beg pardon. my friend said
but l really can't just place you.
know we've met, but whereT
"'NO, we haven't met before.
never saw you before today in my lif
I'm from Baltimore. I've heard of 20
lot Of times
THE dialogue Jagged for few M
ments, and in that time | scrutinize
the stranger He mystifled me in
small degree. and | was interested
him. He broke the silence:
"'Say, captain, I've got somethin
very important to see you about. /
just close this door, and it's just as we
that no one knows what we do or sa
Now, | wish first to impress you wit
the Importance of this meeting. 1t
the most momentous occasion or n
life. and on its success or failure d
pends my future. Captain (the stra
ger leaned over and whispered III u
ear, I'm going to cut your throat!
81 was sitting with my profile to G
stranger. and he was leaning iowa
me. Casting my eyes sidewise. ] sa
that he held an opened razor In |
right hand. I did not move imme'
ately.
SO you're going TO cut my throa
said. quietly turning part w
around
Yes, captain. | have been co
manded by God to do so. I'm sorl
but 1t must be done. Get ready.
That's ali right, my friend. |
perfectly willing you shall carry
your mission; but, to tell the truth
hate to get blood all over my furnit'
here. 1t wouldn't be nice to dirty