FATAL GUN BATTLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 258, 28 September 1935, Page 9

FATAL GUN BATTLE.

WOMAN MEETS DEATH. NEwToRK, Sept. 26. Mrs Sophie Crempa, aged 40, was killed and her husband, John, a Belgian war veteran, was wounded m a pitched gun battle with five deputysheriffs who were attempting to arrest Crempa in liis small farmhouse in New Jersey on a writ issued to the New Jersey Public Service Company. For eight years Crempa had engaged in a persistent fight to prevent the Utility Company _ stringing a hightension wire over his property. Seveial years ago the company was granted a condemnation order and installed a wire, but Crempa refused to accept the 800 dollars award and repeatedly short-circuited the wire, causing the company extensive repairs. Many times officers attempted to serve the mjunction, but Crempa kept Ins house barricaded. . To-day tlie sheriffs determined to carry out tlie Court order. As they attempted to smash a way into the house Crempa and liis wife and daughter started shooting. The officers responded, and dozens of shots were exchanged until the wife fell dead, ■whereupon Crempa was surrounded, but his daughter continued shooting until she was overpowered.