The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1901-10-17


of human bear.
"See here. The Morning Times has a
beastly scoop on us. That murderer
has escaped from the jail"
''Whatl" / cried,'' Smith escaped
after all the fuss they made catching
him. / bet the Times put man on
to get him out and make story.
They never had a scoop and wanted
to experience the novelty"
If you ever again let snap like
that 90 begging" said the still en-
ragged editor, ''you may hand in your
resignation and try the novelty of a
new situation"
overlooked my chiefs impolite-
ness, realizing the provocation. In
fact felt sore myself and sat down
with my feet on the Office stove to
think it over.
Smith, willy william and profound
rascal, had, after a large expenditure
of good cash and the shooting of an
excellent officer, been captured and
placed in supposedly safe custody over
night, en- route to our state prison.
in the Jail of a certain large city OF
Wisconsin. | had just experienced
the modification of first learning of
his escape from the editor when /, be-
ing 1.-the man about town" or city re-
porter for 1.-The Daily Herald. should
have furnished the sensation for a
morning extra. Smith was NJ Ordi-
nary criminal. He was wanted in
Michigan, Illinois and our own state
for crimes innumerable. Thus he
might be either hung in Illinois or
imprisoned for life according to the
penal codes of each. 1t was TO be re-
GREETED he could not suffer both.
1t was useless to cry over spilled
milk or escaped murderers. There was
no likelihood of this one allowing the
authorities to catch him mapping a
second time.
Still bordering the circumstance. l
returned to the street and STROBE
rapidly citywards. | was to report
the demonstration likely to be made
by the people when noted parsonage
boarded the morning train on
his way to the meeting of the nation S
pilots at Washington. AS usual L
carried camera of the best make and
loaded with the most sensitive plates
A good article and it's illustration
were developed with the same negative.
The camera vas tip top reporter.
1t only required a lightning-like
glance to make exhaustive observa-
ton and never forgot details. 1t diff
fered from myself in another respect:
it never lied.
A slight detour included the jail,
where hoped to pick up stray bits of
interesting matter sufficient for an
afternoon story. Here two officers
were taking notes on the manner of
Smith IS sudden leavetaking. / failed
to see how this would aid in the cap
ture. But l supposed they knew their
own business best.
'.Got a picture of him." l asked
in my privileged capacity as public
questioner for the people. In answer
a cabinet sized photograph was hand
ed me. / Immediately leaned it upon
the Office table facing the light and
before anyone was aware of my object,
had snapped the impression on my
swiftly exposed plate. The reproduced
picture would be-a fine heading for
the article had to build, and balm to
the wounded feelings of my chief.
NO you don't, young man., said one
of the officers, pocketing the paste
board, "that's the property of the
law"
apologized and departed, but the
guardians of the law had been a Sec
ond too slow. Twice in twenty-fouI
hours they had been losers. The
noted parsonage drew an unusual
crush. The train was actually NOV
ing out before 1 had the opportunity
for a clear view and good shot. ]
fought my way forward and by the
merest good fortune obtained face
view. This brought the rear cars in
focus making somewhat undesirable
background.
Well satisfied, however. Il called cab,
gave directions to my hotel, and wrote
copy rapidly on block of paper held
on my knee-a time-saving custom
At my room / made use of an ,impro.
ylsed dark room to develop my morn.
ing's collection of negatives that they
might be printed G.. at the earliest
possibility. At three O'Clock / was
able to call at my hotel to note prog
ress, and finding the plates dry,
made sun-prints of each. They were
excellent. The copied photograph
came out as true to its subject az the