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

as he walked across to within 20 feet
of where his father was held prisoner.
| YES"
'.Wen. Pa, Mr. stahl doesn't like tc
| take charge of this affair with myself
and Hal Williams here unless you say
| So"
| ''Wen am willing for Stahl to take
| charge. Whatever he does will be all
right
Are you hurt, Pap came back from
| the sheriff's son as he began to with
| draw
| This answer was indistinctly given
| but it was understood that he was still
| uninjured-
The chief again began posting his
guards around the house, endeavoring Z
to complete the task that he had be-
gun He warned them distinctly to ex-
ercise the utmost caution in opening
fire anyone in case there was a
break for liberty from the inside.
Again the shout "StahI' rang out
Again there was a parley.
These men are going to leave here
and that right away. Whatever you do
must be done quickly" came hurriedly
from Cook
Realizing that it would be impossible
to attack the desperadoes as soon as
they emerged from the house Chief
Stahl began inStructing his officers to
fall back in small squads where after
the convicts had gotten well started
fire might be opened up. Most of the
men were instructed to go a long dis
tance out on the prairie south of the
house.
CONVICTS LEAVE SUDDENLY.
While this order was being given out
the two cOnvicts executed the move
ment which won them their liberty
Instructing Sheriff Cook to do exactly
he was told and Mrs Worcester to
do as the sheriff did they were pushed
out through the south door and onto the
gfo tod 90 ockx or1 oil
the porch, Mrs. Worcester taking
Cooks arm and walking by his side
while the two desperate men came a
little behind, holding the shotgun
against the back of the woman ana
each pressing the chilly barrel of six
shooter firmly against the ear of the
sheriff.
PASS WITHIN Is FEET OF GUARDS.
The party walked rapidly through the
front yard and out the front gate. They
passed within Is feet of numerous Off
GERS armed to the teeth but daring never
to bulge an inch lest it might precipi-
tate a fight in which innocent blood
should be spilled. Turning north they
started rapidly in the direction of Pau
line station. On the way another por-
ton of the posse was passed, and some
body hailed the sheriff.
That's all right. boys, don't shoot"
called out Cook nervously. A little
farther on a farmer came along and
somehow recognizing Sheriff Cook said
something in passing. unsuspecting
what the trouble was. Being rather
deaf the farmer repeated a question,
but still there was no response.
The desperadoes suggested that eff
that old fool don't dry up we'n fix
him. Later the farmer came into the
station. and much to his astonishment
learned the cause of the trouble.
The quartette continued their march
on north and across the tracks to a
point opposite the station. There Sher-
iff Cook was compelled to help one of
them through the hedge, the other re
through" They demanded of the officer
that he direct them to a place where
they might find horses to use in their
flight. Cook replied that he did not
getting through the hedge they COM
manded those whom they had held as
hostages to turn back.
ATTEMPT TO KILL COOK.
Pointing the sheriff's own Winchester
at his own back one of them pulled the
trigger, but the gun hung fire and the
load was not discharged. t'Now go, you
old - said he as he did so. Cook
dropped. pulling the woman with him.
The two men at once made off in the
darkness and Sheriff Cook helped the
fainting woman back to her home
During all this time the word had
been passed around that the convictS
had escaped. and gathering together
those who had been guarding marched
in squads to the grocery store opposite
the station. Fifteen minutes later
Sheriff Cook came up and related the
whole affair to a motley gathering of
a hundred and fifty men and boys
armed with all manner of weapons that
glistened in the dim light of few
lanterns. After all had piled the sheriff
with as many questions as could be de-
vised he went into the depot. and pen
ciled a telegram to the authorities at
Leavenworth, telling them that the two
men had been there all afternoon.
Then he wired Mrs. Cook here, appriS-
ing her of his safety. and after short