The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-10-03
TWO TIGHT CORNERS.
EXCITING CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE or
A POLICE CAPTAIN.

A Hard sfrpEgie For Life with a
Escape From Death az the Hands Of
an Armed Maniac.
Yes. we have 20 deal with some
queer people and some dangerous peO-
pie" said police captain. "and | must
say. but not bOaatfully, that we now
and then have to use judgment that
Is at once quick and reliable. | re-
member several years ago we had a
blghwayman ia the station house who
had shot a man and robbed him. He
was dangerous criminal aud
mighty powerful man. and he was IN
n good position to go down for life or
be executed. for his victim was at the
point OF death. One night he asked
that I be sent to bis cell. had arrest
ed him aud had tried 10 get a confes.
sion from him, but all my efforts had
been vain. lie had taken violent
dislike 10 me. aud he had laughed at
all my endeavors The deduction I
made when | heard he wished to see
me was that he bad changed his mind
ahA AhNNNAfN W NOhi1Hht ~ NtHl W
the cellroom and talked with him.
Captain said he In a conhdlng
way. 4 want you 20 come In here and
sit down. This secret II making a
wreck OF me. and / want 10 tell you
everything
'He seemed quite penitent, and with
out any hesitation ! opened the cell
door and sat down on the bench beside
him.
"Ts Mr. --- going 10 dier was his
FIRST question.
The doctor says he cannot liye.' !
replied.
Then the chances for my going 20
che chair are better than goodY asked
he.
II 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 fearsOmo voice;~
1--WE finished one. and II do two
can get nothing worse than the chair
Saying which, he leaped az me. lead
Ing out a powerful blow as he dld so.
was. Of course. up and ready for
him and had billy In my hand. He
bad nothing but his big fists feet and
teeth. any OF which he was ready aud
anxious 20 use, but he was twice a
match for me even up ! don't know
how ] did H. II he had got the best OF
me just for 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 dying over me.
heard him snarl and also felt the lm-
print OF bis powerful fists, IL took me
i've minutes 20 lay him out aud
must say that | never spen Niye busler
IN my life. Oh. he's In prison
now. He's doing 20 years
II remember another little expert.
ence ] bad that Is not easy 10 forget,
was sitting In my private Office one
afternoon when a well built. styllshly
clad young man entered. bowed pleas.
antly and sat down on the edge OF the
sofa.
~ never was down In this part OF
The city before he said. and, being
here. thought I'D stop In and visit
with you
That's right ! rejOlned. I'm al.
Ways glad 10 receive callers
Il looked closely at the man |
couldn't place him at all IL seemed
hat / had seen him some place too. |
he was about 80 years old. was stal.
vart aud had an attractive face that
,ore slight traces OF dissipation.
beg pardon. my friend said I.
but / really can't just place you. l
now we've met, but wherer
"'NO. we haven't met before.
ever saw you before today la my life.
'm from Baltimore. I've heard OF you
lot OF times.
''rhe dialogue Jagged for a few mo-
tents. and Ia that time | scrutinized
he stranger He mystined me iD a
mall degree. aud / was Interested In
I'm. He broke the silence;