RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ARMED CONSTABULARY.

Bruce Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 1209, 4 June 1880, Page 5

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ARMED CONSTABULARY.

(Contributed). No. 1. — Jintrcv Shim;. The trial of the now famous*, or rather infamous, Kobert Butler has caused many a longforgotten story of desperate criminals to be rescued from oblivion. Some people of an imaginative turn of mind seem to take a delight, when anything startling or extraordinary happens, in informing their friends of some marvellous event which far exceeded the particular occurence which took all by surprise. If facts fail them they are, alas, only too ready to fall bick on their imagination. I have heard lately in Duuedin the lounger.* who arc so often to he found in the vicinity of a bar (it must not be inferred from this that I am one) delivering thrilling accounts of the doings of some desperado who lived perhaps in Australia— auy Colony will suit the purpose— flourished years ago, and with whom the narrator had of course come in personal contact. The yarn ended, the spinner was invariably asked to have a " small one '' by some openmouthed interested hearer fortunate enough to possess the wherewithal to purchase the refreshments. Whilst thinking over one of these stories my thoughts wandered to the Waikato, where for many years I served in various capacities in the Armed Constabulary. On several occasions

! there I had to take charge of a little Irish criminal continually in trouble, named "Jerry Shine." Since my infancy I have never been accused of making the semblance of a joke, yet I cannot refrain from saying that Jerry did shine in the art of escaping from the officers of justice. He is — for he still flourishes — a slight built, active, insignificant looking little fellow about 30 years of age. His hands are remarkably small and supple, formed like a woman's, and this enabled him to slip off any ordinary pair of handcuffs with very little trouble. From what I could learn of his youth I found that he commenced his career by robbing his venerable male parent. After such a beginning one does not wonder at his subsequent career. From that he went from bad to worse, until eventually he became a "regular bad un." Some eight years ago Jerry was sentenced for robbery. Whilst being marched with several other prisoners from the Court House to Mount Eden Gaol, Jerry quickly slipped off the handcuff*?, and, when a favorable opportunity presented, made a " bolt " and escaped. The police searched for him high and low, but no trace could be found of Jerry for days. The telegraph wires were put in motion, and in a few days wheu the steamer arrived at Riverhead the local constable arrested Jerry much to the latter's astonishment. As the lock-up there was one of those rickety constructions I which are too often found in small townships in the Colonies, the Constable, flattering himself he knew his man, took him to one of tho top rooms in the leading hotel, and having barred the door, determined to remain with and keep strict watch over his prisoner for the night, intending to forward him to Auckland on the morrow. Jerry had, however, tasted the sweets of liberty, aud resolved to make a dash for freedom come what might. When the constable was busied fixing up the room comfortably, J erry succeeded in getting rid of one handcuff but the other defied all his ingenuity. This was au encumbrance but no obstacle. Springing upon the constable like a cat and taking him unawares, Jerry dealt a blow with the handcuffs which stretched him senseless. Then cooly abstracting the constable's revolver, the little desperado opened the window, jumped through at the imminent risk of breaking his neck, and made for the bush. When travelling along he was met by several gum-diggers, who, noticing the " darbies " dangling from one wrist, thought there was something crooked, and tried to seize him ; but Jerry's revolver kept them at b*vy. He was followed closely by the constable from whom he had escaped, and who had, in the meantime, obtained assistance. They bailed him up, and seeing resistance was useless, Jerry surrendered, and soon he was safely lodged in Mount Eden. In a few days Jerry, who evidently could not brook the punishment and restraint which his crimes mei'ited, managed to clamber over the wall aud disappear. lie was soon missed and searched for ; troopers being despatched all over the country without avail. The police were at their wits end. Two days after the escape the chief warder had occasion to go into an old disused stable. He was accompanied by a iittlo terrier, an excellent ratter. Tae dog spying some straw in a corner, and probably smelling a rat, begau to sniff arouud and bark furiously. The warder's attention was aroused, and observing the straw to move slightly, he hastily pulled some of it away, and there lay a rat, but in human shape — Mr Jerry Shine ! The warder was delighted with his capture, and no doubt the terrier also wagged his tail, mayhap thinking-some people say dogs think — it was the biggest thing it had done. I am not aware whether the assistance given by tho terrier waa recognised, but it certainly deserved , some acknowledgement. Jerry was again in gaol but still he pined for freedom. Nothing daunted by the ill-success of his previous attempt, he essayed once more to escape. This j time he was observed by a warder, who called upon him to stand. But still Jerry ran. The warder could not stand it either, and fired, shooting the incorrigible Hibernian iv the ankle effectually stopping hia progress. These attempts hid the effect of prolonging his sentence, and Jerry was convinced that it was impossible to run a muck and escape from Mount Eden. He became well-behaved aud cultivated the acquaintance of a well-conducted prisoner. This prisoner, who also hailed from the " ould sod " was, on account of his good behaviour, allowed considerable latitude ; in fact he was more like a servant thau a prisoner. He had frequently in the course of his duties to wheel fire wood from the men's compartment to the women's. Jerry got t.o the soft side of him, and broaching the subject delicately, at length succeeded in extracting a promise that he would hide him in the barrow un ler the firewood, and wheel him to that part of tho wall which appeared the must easy to scramble ovor. After some dillieußy, Jerry was ingeniously tucked in tb*; bottom oi tj'iuj ban*.»\v, : 1 iid completely hid X<a\ from view by eios;' bits of firewood, f A friend proved a per At " Heathen Chine?,'' fur instead of wheeling the barrow when* -I * ; ny (le.-'ir-j'l, he truud-ed it to the ollioe of the Governor of the gaol, aud tipped the firewood and Jerry over at tho door. The Governor, startled by the none, jumped to his feet, and exclaimed, "What oa earth have ycu there?'. Tue prisoner touched his hat, and replied, " Jerry Shine, yer 'aimer, shure he wants a free pass to git out of the j dl." Jerry's sentence was again augmented, and the faithless prisoner's remitted. Jerry was closely watched duriug the remainder of hi? term, but he never tried again. After being s - cruelly deceived by his own countryman, Jerry lost his f wlh in human nature. In 1875, Jerry was released from gaol. The* first use he made of his liberty was to c .nunit several petty robberies. Haviag done these to his intense satisfactl-.n, he shook the dust of Auckland off his feet; and meandered slowly towards the Waikato to enjoy the serene aii of the country. But he was not permitted to taste the salubrity of Waikato's climate. Mounted-Constable Eullcn (who, by the way, I observe has just lately inherited considerable property at Home) followed him cl sely. Bul len overtook aud arrested Jerry near Papakura, and immediately started to bring him to Auckland. The Trooper and his interesting companion were forced to put up at a bush inn for ' the night ; aud now, thought Jerry, as they

entered the inn, "I'll give him the slip." Bullen was thoroughly conversant with Shine's previous escapades, and took every precaution to render any attempt to escape futile. He made Jerry lie down iv bed. and sat up himself watching. Jerry, after a few yawns, was soon apparently fondly clasped in the arms of Morpheus. Bullen watched him carefully, and, tired out as he was with his long ride, resolved to keep awake, knowing that Jerry's slumbers were sometimes exceedingly light. Still " Naturer's sweet restorer " would not be denied. He began to yawn, and nod, and blink, until at last he also was locked in the arms of " Murphy " — to use a pardonable contraction. Jerry slept peacefully. The orthodox "one eye " was not open, but no sooner did he hear the sound of heavy breathing than he softly rose, and satisfying himself that his custodian was really asleep, he cautiously approached the window, and after some trouble succeeded in raising it. Unfortunately for his purpose, his foot caught a chair, the noise awakening the sleeping Trooper. Bullen, on looking up, beheld Jerry gettiug through the window as fast as he could. In three strides he was upon him, but Jerry was by this time all but through, and Bullen only succeeded in catching his bird by the heel. Unlike Achilles of old, Jerry was vulnerable all over, but he was too slippery to hold by one extremity alone. One kick and a wrench, and he was free. He at once took to his heels, and was soon lost sight of in the darkness. Bullen followed on horseback, and came up with him next day. The Trooper called upon Jerry to surrender or he would fire. " Shoot and be darned to you," was the response ho got— a singularly emphatic one considering the exigency of the occasion. Jerry ran on and got among some scrub. Bullen fired three times but missed, and Jerry once more breathed what to him wa3 the air of freedom. For nearly a fortnight ho was unheard of. But, like a bad penny, he was sure to turn up— and he did, in the neighborhood of Rangiriri. Two survey hands, named Harding and Martin, came across him, and after a hot chase succeeded in capturing him. I may here say that Jerry never offered much resistance when being taken. What he seemed to pride himself upon was in escaping. Harding and Martin handed their captive over to a guard of the Thames Volunteer Engineer?, who were stationed at Hangiriri forming the Waikato Railway. Tho officer in command telegraphed to Ngarnawahia for a const ible to be sent to take Jerry to gaol. The officer arrive!, arid, accompanied by a friend, with Jerry as prisoner, drove in a bugey for Ngaruawahia. Upon arriving at Taupiri, the party stopped at Lovell's Hotel for tea, taking Jerry into au inner room with them. After they had tea, they all went into the front room, which opened into the maiu road. The Constable having forgotten his overcoat, went back to get it. No sooner had he gone than Jerry bolted outside, but; instead of running on, he cunningly straightened himself up agaiust the wall. Out rushed the Constable, his friend, and Lovell, their coat tails fiyiug behind at an angle of forty-five degrees, and, without pausing, ran straight for the most likely road for Jerry to take. Jerry waited a few seconds until the sound of their footsteps had died away in the distance, and theu started at an equal pace iv the opposite direction. Again this " will o' the wisp " was invisible for three weeks. The Constable aud his friend arrived at Ngaruawahia in a very dejected state, minus the redoubtable Jerry. Harding and Martiu, who had heard of his escape, kept a pretty sharp look out. Hearing from a travellor that he had met a man between Raugiriri and Whangamarino making his way towards Auckland, they surmised that it was Jerry, and having once captured him, they naturally took an interest in his welfare, and determined if possible to catch him again. Saddling their horses they followed, and after some hard riding, approached a man whom they recognised by the moonlight to be Jerry. The country offered too many facilities for getting away if they attempted to seize him when they were mounted. They therefore resolved to ride on to Mercer. When passing Jerry, in order to lull his suspicions, they gammoned to be intoxicated, and rode on in an apparently drunken state. On arriving at Mercer they dismounted and walked back to the Whangamarino bridge, taking cover baside the road. Bye-aud-bye Jerry came along whistling cheerfully, for he was light-hearted, in spite of all his crimes and reverses. Martin jumped out on the road, and walking leisurely along, met Mr Shine, and stopping in front of him remarked casually, "Ks a fine night." Jerry said "Yes," and stood stock still, mistaking Martin by his dress for a policeman. By this time Harding came up, and Jv.rry recognised him in an iustaut. Turning to Martin he said, " I'll go with you as you are a policeman, but ns for that amateur detective," pointing to Harding, "I've a goo ! mind to knife him." Jerry had, however, no chance of carrying out his. amiable threat. Shin"- was placed in the custody of tho. then we'l-kuown and popular oriieer, in eh.*.r;Y of ih" y-l there. This oi'iiecr when biking his \ :iiu;iA cli-iye to the cnrLhouse next morm,.g, Ap!, his revolver ready in baud in hia pocket', ailov.-ieg lite barrel to peep out conspicuously in ord.-r to frighten Shine. Jerry observing the " barker ' sAI with the utmost nonchalance " You c.-.v put that pop-gun of yours away, I won't attempt to escape. I would not have done so b.-.fore, only the bobby tried to bounce in.-, and I wanted to show him what I could do. I'Adu.s I know it's only tliree month..', ami 1 c;ui serve that easy enou::h." Jerry got his three month.? in Mount Eden. Tni-i is ab.'Ut all I cau recollect of him. The la.it I heard of him be was doing another sentence for some petty efiVnee. lie never did anything very " big," birring half lulling a constable, if thai can be teimc-d ko, but for reckless daring aud ingenuity in eluding justice, Jerry Shine waa superior to many criminals of greater calibre. A.C.