The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-17
JOHN GOUSE KEEPS
A CLOSED MOUTH
By Advice Of His Attorney He Refused
to Discuss the Murder.
WAY THAT he WAS ARRESTED

| WAY THAT he WAS ARRESTED
William Sayitska, Who Had II Griev-
ance Against Gousc, Told the Au-
| thorities..ueW Was the Man Wanted
at Archibald for killing His Step
Father. Made an Effort 10 Escape.
John Gouse, who was brought back
to this city Wednesday night from Ma
hanoy City to answer for the killing Of
his step-father at Archibald in Septem-
Der. 1894, refuses. by advice of his at
torneys, to talk about the serious
charge made against him. The Ma
hanoy City officer left for this city at 4
O'Clock Wednesday afternoon with the
prisoner and less than half an hour
later County Detective Leyshon and
Constable John McHale. of Archibald.
started from Scranton for that place
only to find when they arrived there
that their man was in Scranton.
William Savitska. of Mahanoy City.
was the cause of the arrest of Gouse, or
Frank Buchko, as he was known at that
place. Savitska formerly resided at
! Archibald and his wife claims to have
been an eye witness to the killing. Some
time ago Savitska became involved in
trouble with another resident Of Ma
hanoy City and cross suits of a GRIM
inal nature were the result. Gouse was
an important witness for Savitska, but
failed to appear to testify when the case
was called for trial at Pottsville and q
verdict was rendered against Savitska.
He blamed Gouse for this verdict and
swore that he would get even. Last
Sunday he went to Squire James
O'Brien, of Mahanoy City and told him
the story of the murder. O'Brien wrote
to the postmaster of Archibald and
Tuesday night received Squire Gill
days telegram to hold the man. We'd
nesday morning at an early hour con-
stable arrested GOuse at the grocery
store where he worked. He was not
told the charge against him and evil
IDENTIFY had no thought that it was the
murder he was wanted for.
BREAK FOR LIBERTY.
Squire O'Brien committed him to Jail
and while the constable was taking
Gouse there he enlightened him as to
the charge made against him. At the
Jail, while the constable was opening
the door, Gouse made break for liber-
ty and was only recaptured after much
difficulty. At first he denied being
Gouse. but after several persons had
identified him he admitted that he was
the man wanted. His version Of the
murder is given in another place in this
column. Constable McHale, after his
return from Mahanoy City, went up to
the county Jail yesterday and positive
ly identified Gouse.
The Mahanoy City Record Of Wednes-
day evening after describing how the
Archibald authorities were informed OF
the presence of Gouse in that place has
this to say of the arrest:
William Savitska told Constable Russell
that Gouse was at presnt employed as
driver for Alex Sinner, grocer at 500
West Centre street. He is known in
town as Frank Buchko. At o'clock this
morning Russell. armed with warrant
and the information obtained, repaired to
Sinners store and awaited the arrival Of
his man.
Shortly after o'clock Buchko, holding
wagon tongue and pulling large
wagon behind him. appeared around the
corner Of Catawissa street and backed the
vehicle up against the curbstone. Russell
stepped up to him as he was about to en-
ter the store and Informed him that Squire
OBrien wished to see him.
Unconscious of what was needed. he
hastened over with the constable, wear
ing his overalls and dressed for his daily
toll. When charged before the squire
with the atrocious killing of his step
; ather, August Gouss, he firmly denied the
crime. His denial. however, did not avail
with the facts against him, and he was
comrnittel to the borough lookup.
SEEMED VERY QUIET.
He seemed very quiet and inoffensive
and the constable allowed him the pr!vi-
lege Of walking by his side without hanu-
cuffs; In order that they would create no
attention. This was all well and good
until the lookup was reached. Russell
unlocked the door and walked inside. eX-
pecting his captive would do the same.
But the willy Polander wasn't going in
80 easy While Russell was entering,
with his back turned toward him. he
seized the opportunity and dashed around
the corner, running up Second alley to
| Mahanoy street, turning up Mahanoy to
Third. down Third to Pine and up Pine
TO the school house. The chase was u
lively one with Russell the fire company
drivers and several citizens in hot pur-
suit. At the school house Buchko real
; ized that escape WAS hopeless, and
stopped. Russell recovered his man at
this juncture. feeling doubly sure that lie
, had the right man in tow.
He walked back to the lookup without
further demonstration A telegram was
hastily sent TO Chief of Police o. Rourke.
of Archibald stating that the man had
been captured. and asking for 4 constable
to bri. Z him back.
In conversation with Mr.. Sinners. who
conducts the grocery store, he stated to
your representative that Frank had been
, in his employ about three months, COM
ing here from Centralia and accepting the
position of driver. He proved to be a
quiet and Industrious fellow and sool
gained the confidence of his employer
He took an occasional drink, but WIS
r never found to inbibe TO any great ex-
, tent. He never alluded to his family ex-
, cept once. saying that mis- parents resided
in the old country.
TALKS GOOD ENGLISH
; a Record representative saw Euchkc in
cell this morning. The fellow talks goo |
English. He stands about feet inches
in height, is fair conplexioned, short
, sandy moustache. weighs lS0 pounds and
gave his age as 81 years. He said his
mother married Buchko twenty years
, , ago, when he was a mere babe and, al
though a step-father, he regarded him s ;
his father In the full sense and took his
name. August the step-father, was L
miner by occupation, drank rather freely
: and at times would call his neighbors
, about him and enjoy in a good frolic it
his home.
1t was during one of these frolics on a
Sunday afternoon about two years ago.
-, e tt.