the twin hells(两个地狱)-第24节
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soon we were surrounded by a posse of U。 S。 marshals and their deputies。
Her lover was captured and is now in the Texas penitentiary。 Several of
our boys were killed or wounded； and those of us who escaped made up
our minds to go back to the old cattle trade。〃 〃What are you going to do；
Doc。；〃 said I； 〃when you get out of this place？〃 〃Going back to Texas；
hunt up the boys； and see if we can't find some more horses and cattle。
One thing is certain I will never go to another penitentiary。 I will swallow
a dose of cold lead first。〃
And； with this； the famous outlaw went off to his room in the mine to
get out his task of coal to keep from being punished。 Of the nine hundred
criminals in the prison； probably there is not one of them who has seen so
much of a life of crime as the famous Doc。 Crunk。
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EIGHT TIMES A CONVICT
Thomas A。 Currens。One of the most unique characters to be found in
the striped ranks of the Kansas penitentiary is that of the man who is
herein described。 This convict is fifty…two years of age； and a native of
Kentucky。 His life； save a short time spent in the army； has been one of
crime。 He was a courageous lad。 Leaving his home at the early age of ten
years； thus deprived of all parental protection and restraints； he formed
bad associations； and soon his future career was in the direction of crime。
The greater part of his boyhood was spent in city and county jails and
reform schools。 At the age of twenty…two years he was convicted on a
charge of horse…stealing and sent to the Frankfort； Ky。； penitentiary for six
years。 After serving four years he was pardoned by the Legislature。 He
remained out of prison for the two following years。 We next find him in
〃limbo〃 in Indiana。 He was arrested； and twenty different charges were
preferred against him。 By pleading guilty to the count of stealing a wagon；
the court dismissed the other cases and gave him a sentence of three years
at hard labor。 He was taken to the State's prison。 Shortly after his arrival he
was put to work running an engine during the night…time。 After five
months had passed away； Thomas； reaching the conclusion that he did not
enjoy watching over an engine during the lonely hours of the night；
determined to escape。 Stealing an old suit of clothes belonging to an
officer； which he drew on over his suit of stripes； he scaled the walls and
was once more a free man。 It was a cold winter's night。 After traveling
some distance through the woods his feet were almost frozen。 Daylight
was now approaching。 He must find a place of hiding during the coming
day。 In a few hours he would be missed at the penitentiary。 The alarm
being given； the usual reward being offered； scores would be on the
lookout for him。 Approaching a farmyard； he sat down and cut up his
striped pantaloons and wrapped up his almost frozen feet。 He then crawled
under a hay…stack。 In this place he came near being discovered； for in a
couple of hours the farmer came out to feed his cattle； and as chance
would have it took the hay from the stack under which the convict was
secreted。 As he was removing the hay； several times prongs of the fork
sank deep enough to penetrate the flesh of the runaway。 He endured this
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pitchfork probing heroically while it lasted； and was thankful when the
cattle had received sufficient provender。 Here he remained until nightfall。
He did not renew his journey until the farmer and his family had retired
and were in the land of dreams。 Almost starved； uninvited he enters the
kitchen and helps himself to what he can find。 His hunger being appeased；
his old habit of taking things that he should leave alone； forced him into
the bed…room of the sleeping farmer； and forced his hand into the pocket
of the aforesaid granger's pantaloons； from which he took his pocketbook
containing twenty dollars in money。 He was now prepared for traveling。
Continuing his journey for several miles； becoming very tired； he decided
not to walk any longer as there was so much good horse…flesh in the
vicinity。 Near the hour of midnight； this weary tramp entered the farmyard
of a wealthy old Indiana farmer； and going into the barn led out one of his
fleetest steeds。 Once more astride a good horse； Thomas felt like a free
man。 During the rest of the night he made good headway； and by the
morning sun was up the rider and horse were many miles away from the
place where first they met。 Entering a small village； the horse was fed and
nicely groomed。 At the same time Thomas partook of a good breakfast；
which he heartily enjoyed。 The fates seemed to favor the man of crime。 It
is an old saying： 〃The devil looks after his own。〃 A horse…buyer had
arrived in the village a few days before。 When the noon train came
whistling up to the station； the convict having converted his horse into one
hundred and twenty…five dollars； purchased a new suit of clothes； a silk hat；
and a pair of kid gloves； and； representing himself to be a traveling
salesman； getting aboard； soon reaches Chicago； where； soon after his
arrival； he joined a band of crooks。 He was never discovered by the
Indiana prison officials。 Fifteen years after his escape； he got a 〃pal〃 to
wire the authorities of the Indiana penitentiary； and inquired of them what
reward they would pay for the return of Thomas A。 Currens； a convict who
had effected his escape many years before。 An answer came that if he
would remain out of the State； he would never be molested。
Wandering about several months after his escape； he arrives in Sedalia；
Missouri。 Among other little articles he was accused of stealing at this
place was an eight hundred dollar barouche； the property of Judge
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Ferguson； of that place。 Again this noted thief was arrested and confined in
the county jail to await trial。 He was not anxious for trial； for he knew the
〃yawning pen〃 was waiting to receive him。 For eleven months he
remained in this jail； having his trial continued from term to term。 When
his case was called up for the first time he feigned sickness。 The next time
one of the principal witnesses was absent； and thus for eleven months his
case was continued。 Thomas now yearned for freedom。 How to get out of
that jail was the problem。 Another term of court would soon convene。 He
had no grounds for further continuance。 Fortune favored him。 At this time
a man was arrested and placed in the same cell with Currens。 The face of
the new arrival was covered over with blotches。 The next morning Currens
in a confidential manner stated to the sheriff that his cell mate had the
small…pox。 Being interrogated the prisoner said he had been exposed
recently； and a physician being called； on examination it was decided to
remove him to the pest…house。 Currens was sent along on account of his
exposure to the contagion。 An officer was placed in charge of the two jail…
birds at the pest…house。 During the night following their arrival at this out…
of…the…way place； the officer was pounced upon by the two desperate
criminals； bound hand and foot； and with a large cork placed between his
teeth； was gently laid on the floor。 His gold watch and chain； and all the
loose change he had with him were taken from his person； and the two
small…pox patients walked forth into the darkness and gloom of that night
unattended by any friendly official。
Thomas never believed in criminals traveling in groups； so he bade his
companion an affectionate farewell。 Wending his way to the southwestern
portion of t
