Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-05-01
A Lewis County Youth Becomes the
Hero of the Hour in Kansas
City Mo

a
Hero of the Hour in Kansas
City, Mo.
tFrom the Kansas City JournaLl
Kentucky. the home OF modern chiv-
airy, has another gem TO wear in her
bristling crown of pride and glory in the
person of Thos Marshall Blackenham
of Lewis County
wealthy and beautiful young widow of
Southworth street. was going home from
call she was set upon by three masked
robbers. At the place where the mis-
creants came upon her there Is a long
distance between the street lamps. and
is most favorable locality for the per-
petratiou of yiliainous deeds. Mrs. Ed
wards was within a block of her home
and never anticipated any foul play. as
she was used to traversing that part OF
once, when about midway between the
lamps, the three men sprang out and
seized her. one threw cloak over her
head, but not before she had uttered
piercing scream. Instantly, as If he had
risen from the earth, the bold Kentuck-
ian sprang like lion among them. Right
and left he landed with his Herculean
fists. There was a terrible struggle as
the three footpads were powerful men.
Undaunted by their resistance the Ken
tuckian fought them single-handed. never
yielding an inch. Two fell as though
smitten by sledge hammers The third
turned in an endeavor to escape. but
came TO sudden halt with bullet IN
of the assailants were arrested. One of
them is "Cribber" Darnley, veteran
footpad. who has served several terms.
and is regarded as a dangerous man to
tackle. Another of the beautiful trio is
"Cross-eyed" Bronson, wanted badly in
New York and Philadelphia for safe
cracking He has murdered several Off
GERS who have attempted to arrest him.
The third is Bully" Adams, who last
year cleared out an entire sheriff posse
trying 10 capture him.
The lady lost nothing except her con-
sciousuess Her pocketbook containing
three hundred dollars, her gold watch
and diamond necklace were jolted from
the hands of the robbers when Col.
Blackenham's mighty fists landed. Col.
Blackenham, like all heroes. is an ex-
ceedingly modest man. and acts as i he
we're not aware ne had done anything
out OF the ordinary In the meantime,
his deed is the theme of universal praise.
Col. Blackenham refused 70 accept the
him to take, but. later on--who knows?
The old, old story, possibly.
well, sub, / stald away long enough
to let that story sink into the heart of
the beautiful Flossie, and prepare for
me a haven of welcome and favor.
when l returned | demeaned my
self as becomes a modest hero unas-
Stunning, but with quiet dignity that
bespeaks the Importance of the man
on whom it sits.
when / met Flossle at church there
was no ice on her, no sub. She bow
ed to me, smiled, trembled a little
while her eyes emitted sparks that
flew upward from a very warm heart.
She took a proffered arm and leaned
on it with that air of delicious depend
ence so grateful TO the heart of the
true hero.
After we had been married about
two weeks | told her about my ruse.
She gazed at me long time, her ex-
preston a compound of mirth, aston
ishment and mock contempt.
Finally, she made motion as IL
throwing something away.
There, now!' she exclaimed, knit
ting her brow. NO more romance
reading for me. AS for you, Mr..
Blackenham, want you to study law
Your genius must have, scope. As
for me, to the science of plain, prac-
teal housekeeping, hereby dedicate
my days"