The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-10
THE RACE FOR LIFE.


quiet village Of Willow Beach
who remember the night Of the
great depot robbery, when Night
Operator Howard Blsley was over
powered and tied to the railroad
tracks as the midnight freight
was due.
Howard Blxley had just finish
ed a report 20 the chief dispatch
er giving the midnight freight a
clear track through Willow Beach.
Outside the night was pitch
black and three desperadoes pass
ed the little telegraph office unob-
served and quietly entered the de-
pot. When Howard Bixley turned
he found himself looking into the
barrel Of a ~ revolver, and the
three desperadoes at his side.
Foolishiy, he refused to open
the money drawer and attempted
to Give the robbers a battle.
He was no match for the three
men.
Soon overpowered, two Of them
held him while the third placed
a Gao In his mouth, tied heavy
bandana handkerchief over his
eyes and bound him hand and
foot
Then our hero was dragged
from the telegraph office out onto
the track whore with wire he was
fastened. with his body over the
rail-.
With the contents Of the cash
drawer In the telegraph office In
their pockets the robbers fled.
The midnight freight would
soon be due.
Howard Bixley's strength was
unequal to the. task OF freeing
himself from the ropes which held
him prisoner.
AS he thought Of the oncomin9
midnight freight, he realized there
was but one chance.
Between his hands he was able
TO Grip a stone and with an effort
he shifted his body so that with
the stone he was able TO tap upon
the rail and with this device he
managed to signal In the teies'
raphers code:
"km bound to the rail at Willow
Beach. Send help."
Ralph Mosher, Towards bitter
enemy on the line, was standing
In front Of the depot In Hitchfield,
six miles away.
Suddenly upon the rail- he heard
his station call tapped and no
listened and got the message.
"Great heavens" he exclaimed,
for the midnight freight had pass
ed Hltchfield a minute before.
Quick as a flash Ralph realized
that heroic measures we're neces-
sary.
His auto stood handy.
IL was capable Of making 30
miles an hour.
He must overtake and pass the
midnight freight ere IL had gone
elk miles.
He sprang into the auto.
The engine started at his touch.
II purred and whizzed and throb-
bed.
He set the clutch.
A race for life was on.
Down the road that ran beside
the railroad track dashed the auto
at tremendous pace.
The machine was eating up dis
lance at the rate Of 70 miles an
hour, pumping, leaping, dashing
on az II II knew a man lay tied
70 the track in front Of the mid
night freight.
Three minutes had passed and
before him Ralph could see that
he was bearing down on the
freight. The red light at the rear
Of the train was plainly In sight.
Another minute he would be on
even terms.
Slowly but surely he gained,
when all Of a sudden Ralph's
blood chilled as his machine be-
gan to slow up
He remembered that his gsso-
line was low.
Just then there was a loud re-
port. A tire had blown out.
The race had been lost.
On sped the midnight freight
Ralph heard the locomotives
whistle blast that told him the
freight had passed through VIII
low Beach.
"The worst" said he, "has hap
pened."
Fortunate" said Howard Blk
ley TO himself, after the midnight
freight had passed, chose fellows
tied mo to this side track"
THE END.
Due pains should be taken In q
reports TO see that tn
poison pen case in the federal cour