The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1910-06-20
Kidnapped
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS
Copyright 1910. by American Press
Association.

JUb Wilkins WAS altogether too ten,
der hearted far sheriff. He lived In
town not fur from The Canadian bor-
der With his wife aud children and
only accepted the position because no
one else would take IT, Residts hay-
ing nothing hut The house he lived III,
he Eeedrd the pitiful salary attached
IL the office,
Que night aNcitizen az the place was
wiiylaid. >ahdbH2gpd and robbed A
nmn named Fletcher was suspected ana
arrested Fleicher's wife went 10 Mrs
wilkins with II pitiful story OF her
husbands innocence and persuaded her
10 he: he sheriff 10 let Fletcher off
When Wilkins came home he found
MIS- Fletcher NJ his house. She told
so straight story and begged SO hard
that Wilkins. since he had no power TO
lei his prisoner go free. agreed TO fur
nish bail for his appearance In court.
wilkins signed bail bond for $4,000,
and Fletcher was released from Jail
Fletcher disappeared 1t was eyi-
dent that il was his purpose to jump
his bail. and TO pay the bond would
take all wilkins had his home. He
heard OF t'letcher's flight few days
after II occurred. and. setting watch
Oh Mrs. Fletcher. she and her hus-
band We're traced to a Canadian vii
lage q dozen miles beyond the border.
Something must be done to save
what little wilkins possessed Be
sides, the sheriff was very wroth at
having been tricked He thought over
the different ways by which the crimi-
naT might be brought back and deter
mined that he would try to kidnap
him. This he preferred to using the
process OF extradition. which he con
sidered hopeless
Wilkins interested friend Of his
named Parker. who agreed to help
him. Unfortunately for their plan the
village where Fletcher lived WIS the
heaquarters of troop OF mounted po-
lice. 10 70 into a town right under
the noses uf these men, capture man
protected by British law aud carry
| him twelve miles was risky under
/ taking
At nightfall the two men. having
| hired the fastest team they could find.
, crossed the ST. Lawrence river by fer.
| ry. They agreed to pay the ferryman
IN lao hg. Il ia n,
| bank at the time OF their return aud
| be ready 10 push Off at u moments
notice They hired another team at q
/ village midway between the river and
| their point Of attack. This team was
to be ready and waiting for them In
the road Oh their return.
wilkins and Parker drove into the
town whore Fletcher lived soon after
bedtime l'ptcher's house had been
located. and, pulling up before the
door. Wilkins aliEhted and knocked
Presently Fletcher IN nighiclOthes
OPENED the door wilkins cowed him
at be point Of pistol then threw his
strong arms around him and literally
carried him. Kicking and struggling. to
the wagon. With ropes rendy they
bound their prisoner and We're driving
of when Fietchrrs wife appeared ut n
window. screaming loud enough to
wake the whole village. As they dash
ed through the streets sashes were
thrown up and people put ont their
heads 10 see what WIS the matter
lights appeared. there were cries OF
"Stop 'enI." and presently church bel
began to sound an alarm that reused
the police force.
j By this time they had reached the
outskirts OF the village and were elat
iering southwark along the turnpike
wilkins KEEP; looking backward. bul
could see no followers untll they bad
covered mile. Then the sound OF
horses boots on the stones told HIN
thnt the mounted police had started on
their pursuit. Down came the whip or
i the horses launches. and they nearly
doubled their pace.
For five miles 1t was a steady chase
Their team was a good one. and the
police were mounted on indiferen
horses. Nevertheless the latter hat
gained little at every milestone
When they drew near the village where
they expected to find their relay team
their pace was considerably diminish
ed. Looking ahead, there stood tn
team ready beside the road. Thei