The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-11-05
Fooled THE sLEUTHs.
When They Thought They Had Their Man
He Sprung His Game.

I'm this day of almost universal ex-
tradition treaties said an old Federal
oihcial, 1T is next to impossible for
iugative from justice to find 4 spot be
yond the reach of warrant. But only
few years ago there were plenty OF
places OF refuge. and the officers use1
TO have some peculiar experiences in
trying to decoy shy birds over the dan
ger line. One of the funniest things
OF that kind that ever happened took
place at Niagara Falls. when Canada
was still haven for cmbczzlcrs. A
white line across the middle OF the old
suspension bridge was supposed to indi-
cate the boundary between the two cour-
tries and the bank hooters who had
taken up their residence on the other
side seemed moved by some irresistible
fascination to stroll frequently i'm that
direction. They would come as near
as possible to the fatal mark. and more
man one toolhardy individual has been
yanked across by detectives who were
lurking on the other side However. to
get TO my story. one of the runaway
colony ut the time | have in mind was
man named Patterson. who had bcca
president of a big savings bank some
where in the Northwest and VINO haj
finally dccamped with all the visible as
sets. The victims of the defalcation were
unusually sore, and, instead Of letting tho
case drop as hopeless when the fugitive
reached Canadian soil, they quietly raisea
purse for expense money. hired 4
couple of the best detectives they COULD
ind and told them to bring Patterson
back by hook or crook, if it took them
ten years to do it.
he detectives lay their heads TO-
gether. and a month OF so later they
suddenly turned up on the Canadian side
IN inc role OF two runaway cashiers
l helr idea. OF course, was to get ac-
quainted with their man, win his con-
hdence. and then watch for a chance 10
hdnap him across. The first part of the
programme was not especially difficult
and the three were soon on excellent
terms. The detectives told Patterson =
cock-and-bul story about their sunnoseJ
embellishments. to which he responded
with some condolences Of his own. and
their intimacy grew with pleasing rapid
ity Like most OF the other exiics thu
trio frequently strolled down 10 the
bridge andpcered wistfuly toward home
over the white line. OF course the dc
tectlves didn't dare to rush their man
across when there was anybody IN sight
to inform against them for kidnapnino
but one night they proposed a stroll TO
the river, when, as luck would have IT.
the bridge was completely deserted
hey Sauntered up the footway and sa.
down on 4 ledge at the side quite near
the line. he sleuths glanced around
stealthily, saw that the coast was clear
and closed in suddenly from each sid.
The jig's up, Patterson, said one OF
them, Selling him by his lapels: we're
sorry to do it, old man, but well have to
take you across! In that case. You'll
have to take the bridge too he rtclica
calmly, and pointed to his left wrist
1t was handcuffed to one of the big
steel suspension strands. L did tha,
little trick as we sat down. he contin-
ued. and took the precaution to dron
the key in the river. The fact is. bows.
I've been on to you for several weeks
and | couldn't resist the temptation Of
giving you little surprise before I let
you go. I've been carrying these nand-
CUTS Tor just such an emergency everv
time we took a walk 'Thunderationi
groaned one of the officers; run for a
hle! 1T would take an hour TO Gle
those links said Patterson bland,y. 'a1J
a watchman passes every twenty mr.
utes. You'd better run Tor cover The
sleuths looked at each other. swore flu.
emily and disappeared on the American
side &C. The man who told me the story"
added the officer. asserts that Pa..cr-
son then extracted duplicate KEY from
his vest pocket unlocked the cuffs and
strollcd home whistling Annie Laurie"
-Nc9V Orleans TimcS-Dcmocrdt