The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-11
HELD BY THE ENEMY

munitiOn which We're IN his Winchester
shotgun went off Other members of
the party were peppering away, but
the desperadoes continued in their flight
waving each two long pistols with which
they were armed. They ran into the
farmyard of the Worcesters, hesitated a
moment at the front of the house and
then ran around to a kitchen window
which they pushed back and leaped
through.
APPEAR AT WORCESTER FARM
HOUSE.
Mr.. and Mrs. Worcester had just re-
turned from church services, and Wor-
cester had gone into the kitchen to
build a fire. He was of course greatly
startled when two terrorized armed men
leaped in at the window and ordered
him to keep quiet. He demonstrated with
them, asking them what they meant
by their precipitous descent, and at the
same time starting for the place where
he kept his gun. At this one of the Wis
itors drew back and with the butt of the
big revolver dealt him several blows
over the head. Mr. Worcester dropped
to the floor unconscious and for several
minutes lay on the floor of the little
room, the blood gushing from his
wounds until a great pool was formed
on the floor.
Mrs. Worcester, who had been sitting
in an adjoining room, rushed to her
husbands rescue, only to be met by
big six-shooter which was pointed in
her face. She was warned to keep
quiet. She asked to be permitted to
minister to her injured husband, but the
ruffianS refused until considerable time
had elapsed and Mr. Worcester had so
far revived as to be able to be taken to
a sofa in an adjoining room. While all
this was happening inside the pursuers
had come up.
SHERIFF COOK CAPTURED.
Sheriff Cook started to run around
on the north side of the house, but was
warned by one of his own men to keep
back. The opening through which the
desperadOes had entered was being
guarded. Cook turned, ran to the back
door of the kitchen and into the busi-
ness end of a six-shooter. He was
dining room, and there he remained for
nearly three hours completely at the
mercy of the cOnvictS.
The house had been surrounded at a
distance and was being watched. At
the same time the imprisoned convictS
took up the guard. They were deter
mined to sell their lives, if it should
come to that. dearly as possible. One
paced the floor of two rooms with the
captured Sheriff's weapon ready to raise
to his shoulder. The other sat at the
south window of the sitting room. gun
in hand, so that he could command the
situation from that direction and the
west. 1t was this problematic turn
into which the situation resolved itself.
There the desperadOes were hemmed
in a little farm house. But between
them and the posse were the lives of at
least three innocent persons. They
would use as a shield Sheriff Cook and
Mr. and Mrs. Worcester. 1t was a ques-
tion among the pursuers what should be
done.
At this time Deputy Williams decided
the besiegers were not numerous
enough. He drove to the station and
telegraphed to Topeka for reinforce
ments. Chief of Police Stahl was in
armed and ready to fight. Later he re-
ceived a reply that the chief and his
men had started. Before this a State
journal reporter had joined the posse.
WAITING FOR POLICE.
The afternoon wore on slowly Times
without number those on the outside
held a council, endeavoring to reach
some means of ending the siege and
capturing the men wanted by Warden
McClaughrey. Each time however 1T
was decided to wait until the force
darkened into evening Crouching be-
hind the apple trees of the yard some
of the posse amused themselves by
popping away occasionally at the eartn,
air and. goodness knows what else, with
their guns. Now and then the besieg-
ers could see dark forms pass in front
of one window. The kitchen window
through which the desperate men mad
gone in still stood open, the wind at
times driving a towel which hung near
by across it. Otherwise the house
seemed deserted. The shadows dark |
ened and the chickens went to roost, |
and it was evident that at any mo-
ment bloody battle might open around
the peaceful farm house No help came |
and a number of the farmers abandoned |
the siege to go home and do their |
chores. A little after 6 o'clock the pa |
troll wagon came rushing up with Chief |
Stahl and nearly twenty of his men, all |
armed heavily. Among the number were |
Jesse Cook, son of the beleagured |
sheriff, and Jailer Carl Lawson.
STAEIL TAKES COMMAND
Williams at once placed the situation |
before Chief Stahl. Heretofore there |
had been but little direction to the |
affair. and the chief hesitated whether |
Williams appeared utterly helpless |
Stahl now took charge. and after hold |
ing a consultation with his men de-
termined to post guards in twOS at |
such places of shelter would furnish |
good protection from bullets and at the /
same time make a strong guard line
There was still some hesitancy with |
the chief. however, when the whole |
matter was brought to a standstill by |
a shout from Sheriff Cook. Cook called |
from the door on the south side of the |
house to the chief whom he recognized. |
Stahl asked to be allowed to advance |
rang out, Lay down your gun, then
"Who are you?''
I'm one of the men, came the an
swer in tones of ringing determina-
ton.
''All right then. I haven't any gum
Chief Stahl as he advanced.
CHIEF HOLDS A FARLEY.
''These men," began the sheriff, TASK
to be allowed to pass out through your
line safely. They are determined to
leave here tonight and are going to use
Mr.. and Mrs. Worcester and myself as
|
will certainly hit u.s."
Get back there shouted one of the
roughly as some one start
ed to approach Stahl-
The chief was at loss to know how to
answer and withdrew to consult He
lad not wished to take the reSponSibil- |