The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-09-03
POLICEMAN McKIBBOy OF sIyERLY
Shot by Tramp Burglar who Proves
TO be Joseph Hawthorn Sent TO
the Pen From Here
Four Years Ago.

]
Police Officer o. r. McKibbon was
shot twice aud probably fatally wounded
in Siverly borough about midnight Tues.
day by desperate character whom he
was about to place under arrest as sus-
/ picious character.
Shortly before midnight residents 9th
borough whose homes are in the vicin-
ity OF Imperial avenue and Third street
were aroused by the Sound of three
pistol shots following closely after each
other as from selfactiug pistol, fol-
lowed by crys for help. A minute or
two later the Citizens Traction company
ear arrived from OIL City and the motor
man, Honor Sutton, saw Police Officer
McKibbon lying in the middle of Third
streed, near the corner of Imperial, with
a man lying under him. He shouted to
the conductor, Omri Hunter, unshipped
his heavy handle from the controller and
ran to the assistance of the officer, fol-
lowed closely by Hunter. The arrival of
the car seemed to give the people of Siv-
erly more courage and in short time a
dozen or more men were on the scene.
Blood was gushing from terrible
looking wound in the jow or neck of the
| officer and from bullet hole in his right
breast. He had succeeded in wrestling
the weapon from his prisoner aud was
holding him and shouting for ASST .ance.
1t was about 1880 O'Clock at night that
Officer McKibbon called into the Tuck
| pharmacy and accompanied the proprie
tor home. They were walking west when
they passed the desperate, who spoke to
them. On leaving Mr.. Tuck at the lat
| ter's gate Mr.. McKibbon stated that he
would go back and ask the stranger his
business. McKibbon overlook tho man
and asked him whero he was going. The
| stranger replied that he was going to the
imperial yards to take freight car out of
the place. McKibbon then said he would
90 with the man to the yards. just then
the fellow staggered away as though
drunk AMI Immediately opened fire upon
the policeman. There were three shots
fired two of which took effect. McKib-
bon had left his handouts and revolver
at home and had only his mace for pro
lection.
After being shot he struck the man
who had shot him, on the forehead, knock
ing him down and fell on top of him, at
the same time calling for help and taking
the gun from him. These facts were Civ
en- by the officer Immediately after the
prisoner had been captured and before
the officer had so far collapsed from
shock, loss OF blood, and pain, to lose his
clearness of mind. The prisoner was
placed on the car and taken to Oil City
where he was locked up for the night
During the ride TO the city bundle con-
tanning drills, fuse and other like articles
used by tramp safebreakers. 1t soon
| developed next day that the desperate
was none other than Joseph Hawthorne,
alias Manning, who was tried and sent to
the penitentiary from Forest county for
term of FIVE years for stealing hides
from the Hickory tannery and a bicycle
from Jas. IL. Kelly of this place At the
hearing this identity was made clearer
by an exhibition of two photographs
taken while the fellow was in Jail here,
and presented to the Oil City authorities
by Mr.. Kelly, who had preserved them.
Hawthorne could not have been out of
the pen more than a week or two, for he
was sent up in September, 1898, for FIVE
years, and his release was gained thus
carly through good behavior no doubt.
Barber Charles Russell of this place was
convicted as an accomplice of Hawthorne
in the hide stealing affair and sent down
for three years.
Policeman McKibbon, the officer
through whose bravery and nerve the
desperate was captured, bids fair to re-
cover from his fearful wounds, his great
pluck being responsible largely for the
favorable turn in his condition, for his
physicians had little hope of his recovery.
1t is believed Hawthorne has accom-
plices, and strenuous efforts are being
made by the police authorities to locate
some of them, with good prospects that
all or part of them will be brought to bay
unless they leave the country.