“THE KID”

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1928, Page 8

“THE KID”

NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL.

SYDNEY, August 23. , “The Kid,” one of Australia s pleverest and most daring inter-State criminals, will not be seen in the underworld for two years and six months. This was the sentence imposed on him for “blowing” the safe at The Hub drapery establishment, and the police heaved a sigh of relief when the gates of Long Bay penitentiary closed behind him. “The Kid,’’ otherwise John Kelvin Monson or Frederick Harrison, with a companion, was seen to descend the fi re escape at The Hub, and both chased by a young constable. “The Kid” was captured, and in his possession were two sovereigns which had been taken from tlhe safe. Additional proof of his guilt was provided by Detective Sergeant Hubert Thompson, a most painstaking detective, who examined his captive’s finger-nails and clothing and actually discovered in the cuffs of his trousers steel filings from the drilled and rifled safe. ( “If there were steel filings there the police must have put them there themselves,” said “The Kid.” Knowing, of his previous exploits the police took no chances with the prisoner, and although he asked for bail so as to see his wife this was disallowed. It was believed that it was merely a ruse to escape, for an excellent plan of the cells at the Central Police Station was found in his pocket. During his trial the Court was adjourned earlier than usual so that the police could lodge him at Long Bay before nightfall, and not for one single moment was he left without an escort. “The Kid,” who is now 26 years of age, commenced his career of crime in Western Australia, where he was born, at the age of 14 years, and since then he has gained fame in the underworld and has troubled the police of almost every State. He has escaped from the Yatala Australia, but his most amazing exploit was his escape from the Pentridge Goal, called “The Stockade,” in Melbourne. On the afternoon of July 6, 1926, he and other prisoners were placed in the remand yard. He was awaiting sentence on a charge of larceny. During a moment when he was unobserved he prevailed upon the other prisoners to help him climb an 18ft wall. Safely over this obstacle he took off his coat and scaled another wall 14ft in 'heiglit and reached the portion of the gaol where the administrative quarters are situated. Here he was challenged by a watchful warder, but with perfect confidence he explained that he was an electrician performing some repairs. He was allowed to pass, and it was easy then for him to leave the prison. His es-, cape was noticed, and the alarm was given within five minutes, but “The Kid” in that dhort time had vanished. A thorough search was made for him, the police of every State being notified, but he could not be found. Just about 6 o’clock on August 18, only a month or so later, he was arrested by a constable in a barber’s shop at North Fremantle, where he was undergoing a massage and shampoo. Quite frank, he told his captors that he was. a stowaway on the steamer Automedon,' bound for Europe. Scorning danger, he had decided to take a stroll ashore, despite the fact that he was so welLknown in Fremantle. He walked into the lyirber’s shop and was undergoing a- tonsorial overhaul. Several men who knew him were speaking to him, but one of them slipped away and' informed the police.

Another ten minutes and the “Kid’’ would have vanished .again, and would have left Australia- His objective was London and the capital cities of Europe, where, no doubt, he would have given the police some examples of his' skill, for he is a competent criminal. His exploits covering many years read like fictional adventures. Having recaptured “The Kid” the West Australian police were interested in his mode of escape, and. the steamer Automedon was visited. After much searching the police descended the ventilators and they found that the grille .at the bottom of one had been sawn through. One bar was left to which a rope was attached, giving means of ascent or descent. Just below this ventilator a cavity as big as a small room had been made in the cargo, and the detectives were amazed by their discoveries here, which showed the thoroughness of “The Kid’s” friends. It was apparent that he must have had great assistance. There were six kerosene tins of fresh water and a kerosene pump wjth which to obtain supplies. There were also blankets and bedding, an enamel pannikan and plate and other crockery and a knife, fork, and spoon, and provisions. More amazing than all, there were two clusters of electric lights ( arranged so as to fit the- light sockets which were used to illuminate the hold when cargo, was being landed. Indeed, lavish provision had been made for the stowaway to travel under de luxe conditions. It was never discovered who had arranged matters in this sumptuous fashion, and although it was presumed that at least some of the crew must have known of “The Kid’s” presence on board, all denied any knowledge of the criminal. A detective who has had much to do with “The Kid” said that he was an inteersting fellow and a good conver sationalist. “He likes reading, and has brains, and one would presume that he would be an excellent prisoner, because he appears to submit so quietly. When captured, no matter how franticaly he has tried to escape, he gives himself up without resistance. From the moment you get him, however, he and his friends are working against you. He is a very intelligent young man, and it is this that makes him so difficult to hold.”

It is a pity that this theatrical criminal did not turn his ability to other pursuits. The engineering skill he has displayed on some of his jobs stamps him as a man who might do well in this work-a-day world.