Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-05-04
RUN TO EARTH.
The French Fugitive Found
at Judge BrOusseau's.
HE VOLUNTARILY sURRENDERs
He Makes a Statement Regarding
the Affair, and Explains
Why he Resisted.

Benot Renno, better known as
Jerry" the French Canadian, who sue
cessfully resisted the Sheriff and his
posse Of deputies during the small
hours yesterday morning, was captured
soon after daybreak. 1t will be remem-
bered that at 2:30 A. NJ. Officer Fay re-
ported to the police station that man,
bareheaded and in his stocking feet, had
run into yard at the back OF the Ninth
street engine house, and sought to hide.
Fay did not know anything about the
tragic events that had been going ON at
the city limits, and consequently had
not bothered very much about the case,
thinking the man either drunk or crazy.
He went to arrest him, though, but the
fugitive ran up Ninth street, and soon
disappeared in the gloom.
The clue was at once reported to the
pursuing posse and the deputies made
for that part of the town and secured it
around, being unable to find any traces
of the hours before dawn. A council of
wal Wdb DCl0 90 " tliO piODdUl0 ODJ6C-
tive point of the Frenclman, and some
one sugge sted that he had probably gone
to Judge Brousseau's place on Bunker
Hill avenue, 30 acting on the idea,
off rode the deputies in that di-
rection. The morning was just breaking
as they came at quick lope down the
avenue and as they approached the
Judges place Deputy Kemp, who was in
the lead, deserted the hunted man stand
ing near the door of the barn. He was
watching to see what the noise meant
and realizing that his pursuers had
tracked him down, he jumped into the
barn and pulled the door to, behind him.
The posse ct once surrounded the build
ing and prepared for another siege, for it
was evident that the Canuck was
going to give them another hot
fight. One of the number ad-
vised the Judge of what was going on
and he said that the fugitive was in all
probability Frenchman who had work.
ed for him. The jurist went to the back
porch and shouted, "Benoitl"
A response came back and then con-
versation followed in French, during
which the Judge told the escape that he
had better surrender, as the place was
surrounded by officers, who would shoot
him down on sight, whereas by giving
himself up the whole thing might end in
a satisfactory explanation.
HE sURRENDERs.
The door opened and out walked the
Frenchman with his hands above his
head. Two of the deputies covered him
whilst Billy Hammel went up and dis
armed him of a Colts As, which was
stuck in his waistband. 1t was loaded
in every chamber, and in the prisoners 8
pockets were a number of cartridges,
showing that he would have been able
to make things lively if LIE had had the
opportunity. He was bareheaded and
shoeless, but the only sign of ill-usage
on him was a slight flesh wound
above his right wrist. Considering that
during the course of the fight about sew
enty-tive bullets had been fred at him,
he had escaped lucky. He made no
attempt at resistance whatever, but
walked quietly down to the county Jail,
where he was put in the middle tank.
During the course of the day host of
curious-minded individuals who had
heard of his capture called and desired to
see him, but were refused, as it was inn
possible to swamp the jail in such man
ner. A HERALD man called around dur
ing the course of the afternoon, and sue
ceeded in getting the following statement
from the prisoner, who lay on hammock
cot resting from the fatigues OF the night
WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT IT.
"My name is Benoit Renno," he said,
"and I am 35 years OF age and native
of Montreal. Four years ago l came to
California, and about the LIST of April
last, went to work tor Captain Moore.
Last Sunday afternoon, about O'Clock,
Mrs. Simmons came over to the ranch
house. She said that she was looking
for calf, and while she was talking, she
sat down near the we'll. told her that
she had better not be seen about, IS it
would make the people talk to see her
over at the place. Then she went into
the house and l went in and
chatted to her. Nothing wrong
transpired, and shortly afterwards
she left. About 80 o'clock last night
two men walked into my house. One of
them said something to me, but did not
understand, for l do not know much
English, and then he beckoned for me to
come along with him. l said to him,
Come tomorrow, it is too late now.'
One of them then grabbed me and tried
to take me, so Iresisted, whereupon they
pulled their pistols and shot at me, one
of the bullets striking me above the wrist
and making this wound (holding up his
injured member). l then got my pistol
and ran them out, and afterward | heard
lot of people coming to the house. |
thought they were coming to kill me so
fired to frightem them away. A couple
OF hours then elapsed, and at the expira-
ton of that time l heard man come
into the building. He shouted to me to
open the door of the room, but knew
that the people outside were trying TO
kill me, so l fred and kept him off. Sew
eral shots came into the house, and then
all became quiet for little while. Sud-
denly ] heard a cracking sound, |,
and smelling smoke l realized
that the house was on tire-I did not
start it. stayed in the room until every
thing was burning all around, over and
under me, and then, grasping my re-
volver firmly in my hand, jumped
| through the flames to the pure air
beyond. The moment was seen volley
was fred at me, and the bullets came
whistling all around but did not touch
me. l ran for shelter to the orange
grove ahead, firing at my opponents as l
ran. They started after me, but although
t ley kept up an inceseant fire they failed
to hit me. kept due th and went over
an open field for was, to certain extent,
/ nrv IA Il 3