MANIAC'S CRIMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8309, 6 May 1905, Page 4

MANIAC'S CRIMES.

POLICE RIDDLE A BARRICADED HOUSE WITH BULLETS

On Monday, March 12, George Schissler, a driver employed by a timber firm at Denver, Colorado, became violently insane, murdered two persons, and was himself killed after an exciting fight with the police.

Some time previously Schissler had a dispute with a neighbour named Ray Sill, a brickmaker. The case was taken before a magistrate's court, and Schissler was defeated. Afterwards great bitterness existed between the two families, and Schissler, from brooding over bis fancied- wrongs, finally went mad.

Yielding to a murderous impulse, hearmed himself with a repeating rifle, and went to Sill's house. Sill, who was at the door, realised his danger, and turned to escape, when Schissler fired and instantly killed him. Mrs Sill rushed out, and stood over her husband's body pleading for mercy, but Schissler shot her dead. Frank Kelly, a neighbour, who attempted to interfere, was also shot and badly wounded. Schissler' s wife witnessed the two. murders, and collapsied. The madman next applied a torch to Sill's house and barn, both of which were burned down. Two >of Sill's children escaped, but the thirdjis believed to have perished. Returning home, Schis_ler barricaded his house and awaited events. Five policemen, accompanied by aft inspector and the police surgeon, Soon arrived. Unaware of their peril, they approached the house. Schissler opened fire, wounding the doctor seriously and the inspector slightly. Police reserves, commanded by the Mayor, hurried to the house. Schissler kept up a fusillade, and the Mayor narrowly escaped being struck by a bullet. The police were compelled to retreat. • Finally they piled bales of hay in a light waggon, and, using this as a movable shLld, slowly advanced towards the house and opened fire on it with rifles, pouring volley after volley through the windows until the house was completely riddled with bullets. Schissler returned their fire furiously until he was mortally wounded. He died a few minutes after his capture.