The morning call., 1891-08-21
SAVED FROM A MOB.
A Brutal Murderer Lodged in
Jail.
The Prison Guarded by a Large FOTGs of
Special Policemen.
Story Of The Cold BloOded Assassination Of a
Young Girl and the Capture of
the PieGd.
Erecialto THE MORNING CALI.

the infamous murderer of pretty Christie
WardOn, has been captured and lodged in
Jail here. Such is the state OF porular feel
ing that the Jail is surrounded by 100 special
policemen to guard him. Following are the
facts of the crime and capture: Almy who
is disreputable fellow, was engaged by
ChriStie's father to help on the farm. He
ha d the assurance TO love his employers
daughter, and because she refused to listen
to his overtures he enticed her into some
bushes on July 18th last While she was
walking with her mother and sister and
because she again refused him he shot and
killed her in most brutal manner before
the eyes of her parent. He then fed and
has been hiding in barn of his victims
father, while the police and reporters, urged
on by large rewards offered by the town and
State for the murderer's capture, dead or
alive, chased false clews all over New En-
gland and Canada.
y few days ngo the finding under Ward
on's barn of lot OF empty vegetable cans,
known TO have been stolen from houses in
the vicinity, led TO suspicious that tramps
were making the barn their headquarters.
IhlS led TO the barn being watched at light.
and last night the observers were thunders
struck ON discovering the robber to be
Almy. The entire town was quickly
aroused by knocking at each individual
door. Over 100 armed men surrounded the
barn, intending to take it by storm, but
Almy opened fire upon the enemy through
crack, badly woundng one man. The as
sassln was surprised by single man at one
time and the TWO exchanged shots, Almy
being hit In the leg. Most of the morning
was spent in holding councils between the
officers, who wanted to accept the murder
ers surrender on condition that he be pro-
tected and given a fair trial, and the mob,
who wanted TO fire the barn and shoot him
as he came out.
At l o'clock in the afternoon, tired of
delay, the besiegerS made a concerted ad-
vance on the barn, such a fire being kept ND
that Almy had but little chance to reply.
While he was fighting on one side of tile
barn beSiegers quietly invaded the other,
and the murderer was seized and disarmed
before he knew any one was near him, the
noise OF the firearms drowning the noise of
their approach. The crowd made desperate
attempts TO get at the prisoner, but was
kept lack by the officers. Almy alleges that
he did not kill the girl Intentionally, but
shot her first by mistake and then lost his
head. lie started several times to leave the
neighbOEhoOd, but something always COM
PEELED HIN 10 return TO the scene of his
crime.
INCIDENTS OF THE CAPTURE.
Fifteen hundred people h had assembled
around the barn. Some favored burning
Almy out, and while they were talking about
what to do the besieged man said he would
surrender to the Sheriff if they would allow
him to be taken into custody and not kill
him. Almy afterward refused to come out
Of the barn. He sent for Solicitor Mitchell,
who went into the barn and talked with
Almy. lie tod me his leg was broken"
said Mr.. Mitchell. " He had a large reyoly-
er in each hand, which lie pointed sometimes
at me and sometimes at himself. He asked
if would guarantee him fair trial. l as
sured him that l would. lie asked how
much of his past history had found out
but would not tell him. He asked me if
thought he had better kill himself. He
finally refused to surrender himself"
A. A. Smith also had conference with
mean to kill Christie; l fired the first shot
accidentally. This threw me into a frenzy
and shot her again" Then pointing the
revolver at Smith Almy forced him TO leave
the barn.
When Mitchell and Smith reported that
Almy had decided not to surrender the
crowd became excited. Don't fool with
him minute longer, bring him out, dead or
alive, and do 1t quickly" were sQQie of the
cries. force with Winchester rifles com
menced firing at the barn. Almy responded
with revolvers. but the shooting resulted in
nothing, except demand from Almy for
second talk with Mitchell, who again visited
him in the barn.
fourished his revolvers more dangerously
than ever. He put them in my face and said
to those within hearing: Stand back.
gentlemen, l hold Mitchells life in my
hands, and if you wink I'll shoot him.
Almy again asked if l would guarantee him
protection and a fair trial. ! assured him
he'd have both. he then called for John
II. Fuller, who came. After Teassurances
of protection and fair trial, be handed
Fuller one OF his revolvers and me the other.
m fhos harl Dr;Ar
had secured position, unknown 10 Amy,
and was about to pull the trigger of the
leveled gun when Almy surrendered"
TAKEN FROM THE BARN.
A carriage was brought up TO the barn
with the curtains down. The crowd became
furious at the prospect Of not seeing Almy.
They demanded TO see him in tones which
meant that they would see him or take
affairs In their own hands, and the curtains
were removed from the carriage. -Four
officers with drawn revOlvers were around
Almy as he entered the carriage He was
scarcely visible, and the crowd MADE a rush
Tor the carriage. The officers finally got
through the crowd. and Almy was taken
swiftly to the Wheelock Hotel The crowd
was close in the rear. AImy was taken into
the dining-room. The hotel office was in-
stantly filed with people demanding a sight
of Almy, but tho officers with drawn re-
yolvers prevented passage to ths room.
The streets near the hotel were packed
Sulu Will IL crowd. SIeflft
Blidgeman finally told the crowd that they
could see Almy tomorrow at the prelimi-
nary trial, but the cry went up: I'VE want
to see Almy to-day and are going to do it,"
Finally they were told that they could see
him as soon as his wounds were dressed
When this had been done the people were
allowed TO walk through. After 1900 had
passed Almy tainted and the doors were
closed. The examination shows that he
was shot three times. None of the wounds
are veIy serious.
Almy says there Is nothing in his past
career that is bad except that he gambled
some. He will probably be arraigned to-
morrow. In an interview this evening he
said lie killed Christie, but had no intention
of committing any other crime. After he
killed her he went directly TO Mr.. Warden's
barn and from there saw her body brought
to the house and had a full Wow of the fu-
neral. He has been about the premises
ever since. making frequent visits to her
grave by night and moving about for neces-