The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-11
Shoots Down President Wood
ward and Cashier Fawcett.
CAUGHT AFTER CHASE.
Mob Cries Hang Him" When
He Is Brought Back.
Heavy Guard Put Over Prisoner
to Prevent Violence.

Louisville, Ky, Nov. Ill. Garry
Fawcett, cashier of the Merchants Ma
tional bank in New Albany, Ind, was
shot and killed, and President j. K.
Woodward. of the same institution,
seriously wounded by a man who en-
tered the bank just before noon today
and attempted to hold up the officials
ssnd their assistants.
The aSSailant, a man of about 21,
ran to the Ohio river and started for
the Kentucky side in a skiff. The New
Albany police were notified and after
g hot pursuit in a motorboat, cap
tured him near the Kentucky and In
diana bridge. The man went to New
Albany in an automobile, the property
of Mrs. Walter Escott, a wealthy resi-
dent of Louisville. The chauffeur,
James r. Tucker, who was arrested,
told the police the robber took posses
sion of the automobile in front of Mrs.
FIscott's residence and forced him at
the point of a revolver to drive him
to New Albany
AS the robber entered the bank he
Iointed two revolvers at the men with
IN and shouted, Hands up. everybody;
get into the vault
There. was a rush for safety by the
clerks and several customers. PreSi-
{ ent Woodward tried to talk to the
wards question as to what was want
ed, was two shots which inflicted dan
gerous wounds.
Cashier Fawcett then rushed to the
presidents aid, and was shot in the
neck and breast, dying a short time
afterwards.
Shot His Chauffeur.
After the shooting the robber rush.
ed out to the corner where the auto
mobile stood, jumped in and COM
manded the negro chauffeur ito get
out of this as fast as you can" But
I,1 I1iIo e,+iT f-,-rL rL,t
ened negro refusing to start it. The
robber leaped out and after shooting
the negro in the back, ran down the
bank to the Ohio river and entered a
Skiff.
He had pulled out some distance in
to the stream before the astonished cit
izens knew what had happened. A
man on dredge boat gave the alarm
through a megaphone.
Owners of river craft then engaged
in race for the desperado. The po-
lice in motor boat distanced all fol-
lowers and in short time caught the
man on an island near the big bridge
connecting New Albany with West
Louisville
The prisoner was taken on board
the launch and soon was at the dock
| in New Albany. Here were about 200
men who wanted to take him.
Cries of Hang him! Lynch him! He
killed Fawcett!" startled the police
who hurried MIN TO jail. "A neaVy
guard was put over the prisoner to
insure his protection from the ven-
geance of the dead bankers friends.
Mob Is Deceived.
The manner of saving the prisoner
from the mob was dramatic. Police
! Captain Davis ordered him to lie dowr
| in the boat. Then he was carried tC
the patrol wagon, as the crowd surged
| around. With his foot on the captive's
neck, Captain Davis stood up in the
| wagon and addressed the persons who
were clamoring vengeance.
The man is dead he shouted. eve
saw him take some poison just as we
nabbed him"
The crowd fell back for a neoment
and the police drove the horses at a
mad gallop to the Jail.
Meantime the crowd discovered the
deception and the Jail soon was sur
roun'ed by rapidly growing mob.
Once more the police adopted a move
that probably saved the prisoners life.
An automobile was summoned and the
captive hurried to the state reform
atory at Jeffersonville five miles away
Here the mob could not reach him.
Mr.. Woodward was taken to hos