The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-04-21
AWFUL EXPERIENCE.


the German, Il was prison physician al
the Auburn penitentiary, and had charge
Of that part Of the prison which con-
tained the worst class OF criminals, men
or, rather. human hyenas-for whom
bloodshed had ceased to have any ter
rors. Two Of these criminals, condemned
to imprisonment for life and distin-
guished not only by great physical
strength, but by uncommon audacity and
cunning, were more closely watched
than the others, on account OF their
repeated attempts to escape | had
brought upon myself their particular
hatred, partly because once had caused
the discovery Of some iron tools which
they had cceeded-heayen knows how.
in concealing under their clothes, and
partly because, on another occasion, |
had reported their illness feigned. when
they had demanded to be taken to the
hospital. The two villains were separ-
ated and heavily chained, but in spite
Of all precautions, one morning one OF
them was missing. and few days later
the other had disappeared, chains and
all, leaving no trace.
"A fortnight might have elapsed since
the escape Of the two conyicts when, one
day, started for Cayuga on some pri-
yate business. My srrand in the town
was soon done, and toward evening |
set out on my homeward journey. The
surrounding country is covered with
extensive oak woods. through which lay
a good part Of my way. The tall, massive
trunkssthrew long shadows across the
road, and the breeze murmured so softly
In the tree tops that the sound was
rather felt than heard. Deep in thought.
| let my horse trot along with slack
reins. Suddenly | was startled out Of
my reyerie by noise among the bushes
on both sides Of the road. Grssping
my revolver turned quickly, but be-
fore knew what was happening re-
ceiyed a terrific blow which nearly
robbed me Of consciousness. Dazed,
opened my eyes once more, and thought
saw, as in a dream. one Of the escaped
conyicts bending over me; then utter
darkness enyeloped my soul
1T must have been late in the night
when, little by little, my consciousness
returned. | raised my eyes and saw
above me bright full moon in a dark
blue sky. A dull sensation OF pressure at
the back Of my head caused me to at
tempt lifting my hand to the spot where
the pain was located. but found that
was bound hand and foot. BY degrees |
my thoughts, and remembered
the attack In the woods. An awful in
tuition darted through my brain, and
stopped the beating OF my heart. felt
that ! lay across two sharp parallel ele-
'ations exerting a painful pressure on my
body, and as | strained my ears heard
far beneath me the sound Of flowing
water There was no longer any doubt
that | lay across the rails on the Cayuga
bridge. bound and unable TO stir. with
the certain prospect of being cut into
pieces by the next train a
For one minute my heart stood stil,
and the next its Wild beating was almost
audible. One thought was clear. Imust
'hange my position, II possible, so as to
lie between the rails, If was not to fall
/ victim to the most painful death.
And | succeeded I strained every
muscle and sinew until they nearly !
l twisted and turned. Ipanted,
ny head threatened to burst. At last,
lfter superhuman efforts which seemed
% me to have lasted an eternity. I
'ound myself on the ground between the
-ails.
Was saved? had no time to think |
'r to rejoice in a new hope, for my |
'ntire consciousness was concentrated |
n the sense Of hearing. At first lndls-
inctly, then more clearly, heard in the
distance the regular, monotonous sound
4 a working steam engine. The awful
Hence Of the night gave place to the in
oherent, maddening noise OF the loco
motive. A thousand feet off-5OO, all the
lorrors Of hell laid hold Of me- but
ould not move a muscle. tried to
hout, but could not hear my own voice.
The next moment saw a clear light
ashing across me, and was enyeloped
n hot breeze. Then all was dark. and
lost consciousness.
When | awakened was lying in my
'ed and saw familiar faces around me.
had been found the following morning
y an employe OF the railroad, who rec
gnized me and had me taken back to
-uburn. During a fortnight lay be-
Seen life and death, and when, for the
rst time after my Illness, | looked into
mirror, | saw that the fearful anguish
ad whitened my hair Chicago Trib-