THE TRAGIC BANDIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3946, 31 May 1913, Page 10

THE TRAGIC BANDIT.

HEAD-FIRST dive FROAI PRISON ROOF.

DRAMATIC CONFERENCE WITH HIS COUNSEL.

PARIS,. April G

Laeombe, the anarchist bandit who was captured on March 11 at the fair of La Villetto, and was awaiting his trial for two murders to which he had confessed, committed suicide yesterday by leaping from the roof of the Santo Prison after.making his escapo from tho exercise yard. Taking advantage of a. moment’s inattention on the part of the warders, ho made a dash for the iron railings which enclose the exercise yard. Climbing them like a cat, he got his hands on tho tiled roof of one of tho prison buildings, and hauled himself to the roof. Then he scaled a 10ft wall. When warders attempted to follow he hurled tiles at them. For two hours he led his pursuers a chase across tho roofs of the prison buildings, jumping from one wall to another. Warders, a magistrate, and the Governor of the Sante Prison implored him to come down, but when they placed ladders against the walls he repelled them with a fusillade of tiies. “If you come up on the roof,” he cried, “I’ll jump and kill myself.” Tho Governor attempted to parley. “If you want me to come down,” said Laeombe, “send for my counsel and the examining magistrate. I will see then what I moan to do.”

When the magistrate appeared the bandit reproached: him with keeping him in prison instead of examining him. “I would prefer death to detention.” Then as he warked about the roof he complained of the prison food. “If you will come down,” said the Governor, “I will examine, you as often as you please, and I will have your food sent in from any restaurant you please. AVhat- more can I do?” he asked in a pleading voice. Laeombe smiled grimly. “No, I havo had enough of it. Alv mind is made up. In a few minutes I will throw myself into the courtyard and kill myself.” “No, you will not kill yourself,” said tho magistrate, “You will only maim yourself.”

“Leave that to me,” was Lascombe’s reply. “When I jump I will kill myself.” MATTRESSES AS SHIELDS.

At that moment AI. Boucheron, the prisoner's eousel, arrived, and when the other spectators had retired Lacombe consented to shake hands with him. But all the barrister’s efforts to induce Laeombe to re-enter his cell were fruitless. The bandit’s final words were, “At 11.30 I will jump over the roof and it will be all over.” The governor ordered mattresses to be laid on'the ground to defeat Lacombe’s design, and ordered firemen to give chase. The bandit made such good use of the slates that they had to retreat. Using mattresses as shields, they eventually surrounded him. Then Laeombe advanced to the edge of the roof and shouted, “The moment has come.” It was exactly 11.30, the hour he had fixed for his death. Turning towards his counsel, he said, “Tell my mother my last thoughts were of her. Good-bye to all my comrades.” Bringing his hands together as if to dive, ho plunged head downwards to the ground. He fell 2d feet, landing on his head. Death was instantaneous. As his body struck' the ground the occupants of the cells surrounding the courtyard, who had been following the escaped prisoner with eager eyes, yelled with delight, “Vive Laeombe! Vive I’Anarchie!”