THE POWELKA PURSUIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9187, 12 April 1910, Page 5

THE POWELKA PURSUIT.

THE CHASE MAINTAINED YESTERDAY. CULMINATES IN A TRAGEDY. DEATH OF A SEARCHER. BAILING-TJP INCIDENT AT TERRACE END. FURTHER ROBBERY. POWELKA AT BUNNYTHORPE FIRED ON BY A CONSTABLE. | Events followed one another in quick succession yesterday in connection with the Powelka chase. • During the afternoon, as we stated in yesterday's issue, the whole of the Hokowhitu was thoroughly searched, special attention being paid to the raupo swamps. The scrutiny was quite unavailing and the police and the rest of the searchers returned to town. Reports were then received that the fugitive had been seen in the vicinity of Mr Park's grounds, and also at Mr L. A. Abraham's residence. Both these properties received the most careful attention from the eager bodies of searchers, and it was quite impossible for anyone lurking within the shade of the trees to have escaped the careful scrutiny that was made at each place. It was quite evident that the party had been on a false scent there, and the interest in that quarter died away. There was an animated crowd outside the police station, waiting from quite an early hour in the evening for what might eventuate, and they were not long kept in suspense.

I Almost simultaneously it was reported 1 that Mrs Davey had been stuck up at Terrace End by an armed man, that Mr A, Richards had been bailed up also, and that shooting had taken placc at a house in Fitzroy street, occupied by Mr Shields. It appears that at about seven o'clock someone knocked at Mr Shields' backdoor, and shortly afterwards the intruder was heard to say that "if the door was not opened soon he would bash it in." Mr Shields did not open the door, but made an exit from the house through one of the windows and proceeded to the Terrace End Hotel, where he informed the licensee, Mr Overton, of what had occurred, and the latter at once rang up tho police. On the arrival of Sergt. Bowden at the hotel Mr Overton and others left for Mr Shields' house. On their way they cries of "Powelka" in East street, and at once stationed themselves under a macrocarpa hedge in Church street, opposite tho residence of Mr Torstonsen, senr. While there a man wearing grey clothes and leggings was seen coming along East street. Everyone jumped to the conclusion that it was the fugitive and the excitement at the prospect of his capture was intense. Sergt. Bowden, as soon as tho figure got within easy distance of them, called out: "Police ! Stand !" The latter command was repeated three times in quick succession and on the third occasion the suspect dropped upon hie knees. The action was quickly noticed by those who were watching the scene with bated breath and the cry was raised that the unknown was going to fire. Sergt. Bowden and Mr Overton each formed the conclusion that the stranger intended to open fire upon them and the Sergeant dropped upon his knees with tho intention of returning the fire. Mr Overton, who was slightly in advance of the police representative, and who was armed with a rifle, got his shot in first. Tho bullet struck the man at the top of the forehead and he at once dropped from his crouching position on to the ground, hie revolver, with which he had previously covered Overton, still in his right hand. As soon as the man fell a rush was made to the spot, but it was curbed for a second by tho suggestion that the man, perhaps, was not dead and might shoot. However, there was not a movement from the prostrate figure, and a lantern being requistioned the appalling discovery was made that it was not Powelka, but a searcher, Mr Michael Quirke, of Pahiatua, who had been shot. The effect upon the crowd in attendance can better be imagined than described. The shock to all concerned was terrific. They had expected to see the face of the man who has kept the whole town in a ferment, and instead saw tho upturned features' of one who had for days been assisting to lay the criminal by the heels. The stricken man was lying in a pool of blood, when Dr. Martin, who had been hastily summoned to the tragedy, arrived, but he was still alive. He was taken to the Hospital in Mr Pringle's motor oar, accompanied by the doctor, but there was no hope from the first, and death ensued soon after the institution was reached.

Deceased was a brother of Detective Quirke, of Palmcrston. and was in business as a hairdresser and tobacconist in Pahiatua. He had arrived here some days ago to take part in the search for Powelka, and was out at Ashhurst on Saturday. He was 37 years of age and unmarried. He was greatly esteemed in Pahiatua, whore the family is well known, and the greatest sympathy is felt for Dctective Quirke and the remaining members of the family. The mystifying portion of the regrettable occurrencc is the failure of the deceased to take any notice of the challenges ho received from the party in front of him prior to the fatal shot being fired, and it is quite evident that some misapprehension must have existed with accused as to what was actually transpiring in front of him. This theory is supported by the fact of deceased drawing his revolver, placing it over his arm and covering Mr Overton, who, in the course of conversation with our representative this morning, detailed the occurrence. Mr Overton said he could plainly< see the glint of the barrel of the revolver on accused's arm, and it appeared to be only a question of who fired first. When Mr Overton fired the revolver was pointed full at his chest. _ As may be imagined Mr Overton is greatly distressed at the unfortunate occurrence 1 , which has so suddenly terminated the life of a young man. Ho is quite at a loss to account for the silence of deceased when challenged, and also his actions, each of which, Mr Overton says, conduced to the firing of the shot. When the fatal shot was fired in East street last, night deceased Was about fifteen yards away from Mr Overton.

I ANOTHER VERSION OF THE j TRAGEDY. . I ■ Amid so many conflicting statements of last night's tragic occurrence it is really hard to get a true account of the facts leading up to" the tragedy. It can easily be seen that the affair with Mr Alf. Richards, the sticking up of Mrs Davey, and the attack on Mr Shields' residence occurred within a few minutes of each other, and aiso within a few hundred yards of each other. Thus the excitement, in Ilr.it quarter v.'as running high, and a big crowd had collected in the vicinity. An eye-witness of the whole of the untoward happening was Mr Albert Torstonson. He was also to a certain extent disinterested—if such a term could be used in connection with Joseph Powelka's doings, for he was not anions: the "m;mhunters." Mr Torstonson lives on the eastern side of East street, two doors from the Church street corner.. Mrs Davey lives in Chi rch street, two doors from the East street corner. If will thus be seen that the respective back- ' yards of the two join each other.

Mr Torstonson was forcefully acquainted of the presence of Powelka in his vicinity by the commotion in Mrs Davey's place, and ho was on his own verandah at about 7.30 when the cry, "Powelka!" was raised. There was a crowd—greatly excited —at the corner of Church and East streets, another lot of searchers at the corner of East and Ferguson streets, and various people prowling round in the adjacent yards.

Mr Torstonson saw Sergeant Bowdcn and Mr Overton leave the crowd on the town side of East street a,t the Church street corner, and begin to make their way along towards Ferguson street. Almost simultaneously a figure appeared from out of a, vacant section on the same side of the street, and began to make his way along towards Church street, walking diagonally across the road. The man, says Mr Torstonson, looked tall enough to be Powelka when he got t on to the road, and he himself said to ' his wife, who was with him on the verandah, "By jove, that's him all right!" The stranger was now beginning to movo along at a crouching, gait. He had spotted the figures by the fence, and when the shout of warning had gone up must have fancied that it referred in some way to them. He was stalking them to all appearances. The shining barrel of his revolver was easily seen, and ho appeared to be about to fire. Mr Torstonson was convinced that he was crouching down in order to get his man above the skyline. Ho may havo only seen Mr Overton, for all* his attention was directed that way. It seemed then to be only a matter as to who should get his snot in first. Mr Overton fired, and the man dropped within a few yards of Mr Torstonson's front gate, and just on the edge of the roadway. Immediately a dozen voices claimed the victim as theirs, and a rush was made to the spot. But an ominous silence followed when the dreadful discovery was made that Mr Michael Quirke had fallen a victim to mistaken identity.

THE INQUEST. The inquest- touching the death of Michael Quirke will bo held to-morrow, before the Coroner, Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M. Tho hour has not yet been fixed. "I'LL PUT A BULLET INTO YOU." THE WAY A WOMAN WAS GREETED. Mrs W. Davey, of Church street East, had an alarming experience at 7o'clock last evening. Her house is within two doors of East street where tho fatal accident occurrcd. She was just coming out of her gate with a little girl, whom she was taking to her home in the next house, when she saw a man confronting her in tho darkness. As she camc out he put one hand on the gate and covered her with a revolver, saying at the same time: "I'll put a bullet into you." She naturally turned and made for the house again. The terrifying visitor then mildly added: "Don't be frightened! Good night," and off he went. Sir Davey, on hearing his wife's story, came out and called loudly for help, and it was ( just then that the crowd came along.

"STOP! OR I'LL FIRE." A DEMAND FOR FOOD. FROM A BUNNYTHORPE FARMER. About half-past six yesterday evening Mr Alfred Richards, a well-known member of the farming community, left his home at Bunnythorpe to drive into town with some articles of wearing apparel for his daughter, who is living in town. Everything went well till Mr Richards arrived in East street at about ten minutes to seven. He was driving also supremely oblivious of anything to do with the Powelka affair, but he had the escapee quickly before his notice. A peremptory "Stop, or I'll fire" resulted in Richards pulling up his horse without any hesitation, but before it had stopped a passenger jumped aboard, and at once demanded food. His request was backed by the application of a revolver close to Mr Richards, who ventured to expostulate that there was nothing to get excited about. He also told his passenger that he hadn't any food in the cart. The latter, whom Richards had recognised as Powelka, however, was not satisfied with the denial, and commenced to fumble amongst the parcels, evidently with the idea of gathering the nature of their contents. He had also taken the precaution to catch hold of Mr Richards by tho throat, but did not persist in that grip. Tho vehicle had been travelling all the time, and was now within about 60 yards of where the searchers were looking for the fugitive. .Powelka noticed this, and finally accepting Richards reiteration that there was no food in tho cart he placed one foot upon the scat and sprang out of the cart. He landed on his heels without losing his balance or his presence of mind, for ho quickly admonished Richards to keep quiet or he would shoot. Noticing that the revolver was still handy, Richards kept quiet, but he did not hesitate to apply the whip to his horse, and as soon as he got it going at a fast canter he raised the alarm. He was able to' keep Powelka in sight for some yards as the latter got away in tho direction of Fitzroy street, but when the searchers appeared on the scene !Powclka> had again disappeared. . When seen by our representative this morning, Mr Richards said there was no doubt about it being Powelka. He said he had on a new suit of grey clothes, plentifully bespattered with yellowish mud, and this morning Mr Richards overcoat still shows traces of close contact with the man. The chief thing that struck Mr Richards in connection with the affair, always excepting the revolver, was the extreme agility displaj'ed by ! Powelka, who was wearing a light or well-worn pair of boots. Thev were noiseless, and did not interfere with the lightness or celerity of his movements.

A CONVERSATION WITH POWELKA MR. LAYBOURNE'S UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE. Mr M. E. Laybourne had a short, but very uncomfortable interview with Joseph Powelka on the outskirts of Palmerston last night. His own account of it is as follows: — , , "Upon reaching my .home at b p.m. mv wife reported to me that she eaw a suspicious looking character _ running across the'paddocks from Ruahine street to Fitzroy street, about a quartei ot , an hour before my arrival. I at once decided to report this fact to the police,, and left my house for this purpose. As I reached "'East street I noticed a man slowly walking towards Ferguson street. After passing him 1 enquired from several men who were in the street if there were any scouts about, whereupon one gentleman remarked: 'Yes; one of them has just gone by fully armed.' "I turned back at once, and on my bicyc-lo rode quickly to overtake the supposed scout, who turned up Ferguson street, towards Fitzroy street. "As I was passing him, I asked : Are you one of the scours?' to_ which he replied 'Yes.' Not being satisfied with his appearance and the way ho answered I rode on and turned up the drive to Mr Baldwin's residence with the intention of asking Mi- Baldwin to conmnmi- . catc with the police. "I had only gone about ten yards up the drive, when to my surprise the man called upon mo to stop. On looking round I found lie was close behind mo, and covering me with his revolver.'. I at once dismounted, when he came close to me and seized me with his righthand, keeping me covered all the time with his revolve.- in his left.

"I said to him. 'What might your name be; is it Powelka?' lie rplicd, 'Yes; that's my name, and don ? t you forgot it.' 'You know,' in a very threatening manner. I answered 'All right,' whereupon ho released my hand and made off up Ferguson street towards Fitzroy street."

AN AFFAIR AT BUNNYTHORPE. MORE SAFE ROBBING. Between three and four o'clock this morning a, man of suspicious appearance was sighted going through Bunnythorpe by Constable Flanagan. He was called upon to stop, but took no notice. Constablo Flanagan thereupon fired over his head, but the stranger disappeared through the school grounds and got away. In the hurry of his departure he left a sack containing provisions, among them being a leg of mutton. Half an hour later the larder of Mr Larson, a farmer, was visited,- and meat and pickles were removed. SIGHTED EN ROUTE FOR KIMBOLTON. The police received word at 11.30 this morning that a man answering in every way to Joseph Powelka's description was 6een en route for Kimbolton. He had slept for a couple of hours about three I miles from Bunnythorpe, and had then made off towards Kimbolton. Detective Cassels and Constable Mclvor are in pursuit, and others are following. OTHER REPORTS AND HAPPENINGS. A report was received from College street this morning that a slim man dressed in a long grey coat and wearing a soft felt hat had been seen making his way across tho Chinamen's gardens towards Park road. Enquiry, however, failed to connect him with the escapee. It was also reported that a suspiciouslooking person _was seen at Fitzherbert East at 2.30 this morning, but a police motor failed to find any trace of tho missing criminal. Two detachments of police arc working in the Bunnythorpe district—ono having gone out early this m'orning and another later in the day. The whole district is being thoroughly scoured in those parts.

A detachment of probationers, from the Police Training School, arrived yesterday from Wellington and are actively engaged to-day in the search, being distributed among the various scouting forces. A crowd of about two hundred people —including a. number of women —gathered round the police station last night, and made a very considerable nuisance of themselves in every way. Of course, it is only natural that people should be anxious about themselves and their property, but a little regard should have been shown for those who were endeavouring to do something. It was a really pitiful sight to see a crowd of between forty and fifty excited men rushing 'off after e\ery contingent of policemen which happened to leave the station. A bicycle was stolen from a Stoney Creek resident early this morning. Another call came from Awahuri this morning, and a batch of policemen were sent out. The description of the man, however, was very wide of the mark, and the result was another wild goose chase.

SERGEANT MAGUIRE. On enquiring this afternoon we were told that Sergeant Maguire is in much the some condition as yesterday, any unfavourable symptoms still being absent. LESS HYSTERIA. The tragic occurrence of last evening has had a sobering effect upon the more excited spirits in the community. Fewer firearms are to be seen about the town, and people are quietly engaged in their various occupations, realising that the work of tracking Powelka can best be carried out by the police, and that their hysterical actions of the past two evenings have restricted rather than assisted the operations of the police. CARRIAGE OF ARMS BY CIVILIANS Inspector Wilson is in receipt of a telegram from Wellington expressing the opinion that the carriage of arms by civilians has reached a dangerous stage and the Inspector desires us to state that there is no necessity whatever to continuo doing so. Their aid in searching for Powelka is quite another matter, but the authorities, with last night's fatal accident before them, consider that it is extremely necessary that the carriage of arms should be restricted to the police. If any reports as to the whereabouts of Powelka are sent to the police they will bo investigated at once, and if necessary recourse will bo had to firearms, but it must bo bv the police only. It will be well for civilians to accept this intimation a 6 coming with the force of authoritative declaration and for the future conduct their searching operations minus arms. The authorities also wish us to direct attention to the dire penalty provided in the case of aiding and abetting an escaped prisoner in any shape or form. The punishment provided for an offence of this nature is very severe, in some cases going to a life sentence.

WHY THE REWARD WAS INCREASED. STATEMENT BY DR. FINDLAY. Speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, Dr. Findlay, Minister for Justice, "stated that it had been decided, to increase the reward in connection vflith Powclka from £50 to £100 for the following reasons: — First of all, because of the necessity for enlisting the active assistance of any settlors who might know anything of the fugitive. Secondly, to counteract any feeling of hesitation due to fear on the part of those who might know anything. Thirdly, on account of the grave importance of the position generally, which appeared to be revealed by Sunday night's proceedings. Regarding the additional arrangements to cope with the situation, Dr. Findlay said: — "Inspector Ellison, who left for the scene yesterday, had special instructions to co-operate with Inspector Wilson, of Wanganui, with a view to tho holding of a thorough and vigorous search. "Alj the available probationers at tho police depot (16) were despatched by yesterday afternoon's train for Palmerston North, under Sergeant Dart, officer in charge of the depot. These men should be of great service in connection with the search." Asked whether it was intended to call out anv of the members of tho defence force, Dr. Findlay replied: — "Altogether there arc now over 60 police officers and men, including the probationers. engaged in the work. With the assistance- which is promised by civilians and the additional incentive which the increased reward offers, it is felt that ample arrangements have now been made to bring the search to a successful issue at. once."

It appears that Sorgt. Maguire and Detective Quarto rmain worn the only police officers in Mr Hampton's grounds when the search was made for Powelka on Sunday evening, the remainder of the force having been stationed around the block to watch for the-escapee. On Powelka being discovered by Sorgt. Maguire in front of Mr Hampton's house he immediately closed with the former. So far a? can be ascertained Powelka proved to bo the stronger and threw the. Sergeant after a brief but sharp

tussle, and the latter was either on his knees or in the act M rising when the shot was fire by Powelka, who was standing up.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I wish, through the columns of your newspaper, to call attention to the very grave, danger to life by allowing citizens to parade the town armed with rifles and other firearms. It is quite a common occurrence to find mere youths, totally unversed in the use of a revolver, armed with this dangerous weapon ready to shoot anything or anybody at sight. But the very greatest danger to my mind, and to the minds of other thinking citizens, is tho carrying of rifles, which are calculated to send a bullet any distance up to one mile. You may imagine, Mr Editor, a case where a bullet fired from one of these dangerous weapons in a. fiat town like Palmerston may carry destruction in its wake for a very great distance, and the result of a stray shot may be the death of one or more inoffensive citizens. It seems to me that the police should absolutely prohibit the carrying of rifles, and, except by experienced persons, the carrying of firearms at all. The sad . tragedy of last night is one which may fairly be expected to be repeated if the promiscuous use of firearms is allowed by those who do not understand their use. While it is absolutely necessary that Powelka should be captured, and at the earliest possible moment, it would be better that he should escape altogether than that • the lives of inoffensive citizens should be sacrificed. I have written this letter with great hesitation, because some people may think that I am interfering with or criticising the police methods. I can assure you, sir, that I am actuated only by a desire to save the lives of those who arc totally unconnected with the miscreant now at large, and not from any desiro to advise the police, or to assist a dangerous man to escape. Thanking vou in anticipation. I am, sir. vours, etc.. W. H. COLLING WOOD. Palmerston North, 12th April, 1910.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —There are other Richmonds now in the field and still they have not caught Powelka, although two men have already been shot. If things go on as they are going there will bo more victims still eve they catch him, and when he is caught it will be the police (and not the public) who catch him. There is one thing certain on carefully reading the accounts of the various sticking-up cases that a certain section of the man-hunters are playing upon the excited feelings of the public, for none of the amateur Powelkas have stuck up a policeman yet. It is women and unoffending looking people they go for. It is a pity some of these scouts do not get a black eye or a broken nose for their pains. It is a thousand pities that the townspeople do not mind their own business, and leave police work to the police. They say that Powelka is mad. He must be as mad as a march hare to have committed all the acts already laid to his charge! I, for one, think we should try and exercise patience. At any rate if wet weather sets in it will very soon cool our courage, and keep us at home. Then the police will catch him.—Yours, etc.. A BAD SPIOT.