The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-27
J. G. Hutchinson, R. /. ROadmas-
ter, HighWayman Proof.
lie Knocked Out and Captured
the RObber.
DRAGGED TO STATION
lfterward Failed to Appear in
Court.
So RObber Is Let Off With Five
Dollars Fine.

j. q. Hutcn1QSOn rOdQlndSl6r Luz LsL1
Rock Island Lines, with headquarters
in Topeka is the hero of an attempt
ed holdup Hutchinson doesn't believe
in turning his pockets inside out Wnen
any Tom, Dick or Harry sticks SHINY
pistol in his face. Instead he believes
in sIapping the man on the wrist,
throwing the gun into the river and
marching the bad one to the police sta
ton
1t happened Sunday night.
Roadmaster Hutchinson had just ar
rived in Topeka from the St. Joseph
line of his road. Dropping off at the
Union Pacific crossing he Walke0
through a part Of North Topeka until
he reached Kansas avenue and then ne
walked south, intending to stop at ius
office at First and Kansas avenue
When he had walked about half way
across the Melan bridge the roadmaster
saw a man walking in front OF MN
slowly and suspiciously. Across the
other side of the bridge was another
man walking in the same direction
south.
Hutchinson walked slower, thinking
that something was scheduled to drop
his block signal but the man in front
walked still slower. Realizing that Il
ANYTHING happened the sooner the bet,
ter. the Rock Island roadmaster pulled
open his throttle and started down Tie
Melan pavement at quick walk
ordered to Throw Up Hands.
AT about the center VI Tic
Hutchinson caught up with his suspic-
/ ious character. The man in front
wheeled around and in his hand ne
held a revolver
''Thow up your hands, he missed:
Hutchinson backed up Few lncneS
to get well balanced on the pavement
when the highwaymen called again:
"Stick up those mits-and be in
hurry about it. I can't wait here all
night for what little money you've
got.
At this warning Hutchinson turned
his head and saw another man sneak
ing up behind him. This aroused the
roadmaster. Swinging back his lists ne
aimed at the revolver which was star
ing him in the face and knocked 1t
far out across the railing of the bridge
and it fell many feet below into the
muddy Kaw.
Then following Ut. his first blow Win WITH
his right hand he planted his huge INST
lust under the chin Of the holdup man.
The blow was a terrific one. 1t sent
the robber spinning in the air and had
it not been for the iron railing he would
have followed his weapon into the river
below.
Then wheeling around the man VINO
condemns ties along the Rock IslalId
right of way, prepared to ofIer me
same reception to the man VINO was
slipping UP behind him.
But instead of seeing and meeting
second highwayman the roadmaster
saw a cloud of dust far down the bridge
below the flicker of an electric arc light.
Just in front of the dust was Bad Man
No 2 hying over the pavement like a
paycar behind a hungry engineer.
Then turning back to his first dan
ger signal Hutchinson saw man
slowly rising from the pavement:
Cursing and threatening he backed
awav from the Rock Island man and
started to follow the dusty path made
by his partner.
"Just a minute" interrupted Hutch
inson. 81 think you had better go
with me-"
He stepped toward the man-behind-
the-gun and grabbed at his coat col
lar. Realizing that the police station
and probably the penitenuary was
waiting for him the hold-up man leap
ed at Hutchinson with fists doubled.
Another fight ensued with the road
master emerging from the dust drag
ging his man by the collar.
From the Melan bridge to the Rock
Island depot three blocks away Hutch
inson fought and dragged ana DE-
Tended himself against the baffled
highwayman Finally he arrived at
the station where Ben Judkins the
Rock Island detective was on duty
Together the two men pulled the prls-
oner to the police station where he
was turned over to the man with
the blue coat and brass buttons
| When the sergeant asked for names
the highwayman said his name was
Thomas Whitehearth. He said he was
working with grading gang on the
Rock Island.
Then the sergeant turned to Hutch
inson.
your name?' he said.
81 G. Hutchinson" came back the
answer
The highwayman with bloody face
and torn clothes started. He looked
into the face of the Rock Island man.
"Our roadmaster-w III be
hlowed." he groaned. and the jailer
dragged him off to the iron bars.
Monday the police judge fined him
SIS for being drunk because the road
/ master wouldn't appear against him.
SAYS SHE DID NOT RUN AWAY.