Evening journal., 1913-08-20
CITY Police ON Lookont.

Chief of Police Black received
word this morning Of the escape OF
Virgins and Taylor and the entire
city police force is on the lookout for
the pair.
Virgins formerly lived with his
mother at 217 South Harrison street.
On the afternoon Of last June 25. he
shot and killed policeman Bowling
in a pawn shop at Fifth and Vine
streets. Philadelphia. when the patrol
man attempted to arrest him. He
was pursued BY a large crowd after
the shooting and would probably have
killed some others had not the second
OF ten cartridges in his automatic
revolver "mushroomed" and prevent
ed further shooting. He was captured
at Eighth and Wood streets shortly
after the shooting.
The pistol with which Virgins
killed Policeman Bowling was stolen
from house in this city in which
Virgins is said to have figured In
a number of burglaries. Bowling
was about 10 arrest Virgins
while the Young man was in the pawn
shop endeavoring to pawn some Of his
loot. A list Of the goods stolen in
this city was sent ont by Chief of
Police Black and when the pawn
broker identified an unset diamond
Virgins was endeavorine 10 pledge. as
ono % the articles contained in Chief
Blacks list. he notified the Philadel-
phia Police Department. Dowling was
sent on the case.
Bowling received his death wound
when he grabbed Virgins by the
arm The young man sduirmed vio-
lently and when the bluecoat tighten
ed his grip. Virgins shouted hands
uni" and Jerking himself away drew a
revolver with his free hand As the
policeman closed in on him he placed
the muzzle against Dowling'a left arm
and fired The bullet crashed through
the arm and passed through the lungs,
lodging. In tho right side.
The policeman staggered and re
leased his hold. but as Virgins leaped
through the swinging doors to the
street he made a hnal courageous
effort and gave chase. trying mean
time 10 draw his revolver He man
aged to cross Fifth street before he
fell unconscious. Virgins got as far
as Eighth and Wood streets.
Virgins nourished his revolver az the
crowd as he sped up the street. but al
though II kept az safe distance. Police
men Link and Faulkner followed at top
speed. As Link came within range Wig
gins leveled his pistol ana pulled the
{ trigger. hut the weapon failed TO dis
charge aud the pursuit continued.
| ON Wood street near Eigntn. Wiggins
threw his pistol into the ruins OF a burn
ed building. He was overpowefed q few
] l..
! tachment of police arrived In time 90
stop threats Of a lynehing.
Bowling was picked up by a friend,
Edward Slattcry The policeman NUT
tered: I'm a goner. I'd. I'm done" lie
was taken 10 the Roosevelt Hospita
several blocks mp the street. and
brcathcd his last two minutes after ar
irving there In addition TO his bullet
wound he was BADLY bruised ON the chest
from he kicks.
While incarcerated at the City Hall in
Philadelphia. Nigeins received several
visits from his mother. who was heart
broken over the affair." and for whom
much sympathy was expressed.
Virgins was convicted Of murder in
the second degree before Judge Barratt
in Philadelphia on Saturday November
and was Immediately seusenced 10 not
less than nineteen wears nor more than
Twenty years in the Eassern peniten-
tiary The Jury was out forty three
hours and seven minutes Virgins was
lunmovcd when the verdict was an
lnomced. but was visiby affected whcr
he asked the court 10 show him mercy.
Virgins served about three years IL
the Ferris Industrial School mere. anc
also served term al the workhouse.