The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-01-13
PROBE ESCAPE
OF BANDIT No
TRACES FOUND

\ dllO iSo w al ~ SSAp AANNS -
! council, are the two members and
they will start taking evidence to-
| day. The police commission met
yesterday afternoon and after hearing
further evidence from the police, ex-
pressed their confidence in the force
and decided that the members heard
had told the truth.
Many false alarms were followed
by the police but no sign Of the es-
Gaping prisoner was seen. Hundreds
of houses were searched by the police
without result. The reward is now
$4,000 for Krafchenko, $4,000 from
Winnipeg and $4,000 from the Mani
toba government, and $4,000 for his
accomplish.
| Hid in Engine.
That Krafchenko first took refuge
in the old G.. P. r. engine, the
Countess Of Dufferin, that stands
in an open space west of the c. P. r.
station, after his escape from the po-
lice station Saturday morning, was a
story that was going the rounds in
mouths being kept by all members of
the force, from the chief down to
the ordinary constable, it was impos-
sibla to confirm the report, but in
some quarters it was given consider
able credence.
The engine, which is kept merely
for show purposes, is partially pro-
tected in winter by a sort Of house,
around it. This is composed largely
of glass, so that a view Of the loco
motive is not shut off. The engine
is not a great distance from the po-
lice station, and il is not impossible
that the desperate should have hid
den himself there after his break for
freedom. The theory is that he
spent all Saturday concealed in the
engine, making his escape in the
darkness Saturday night. 1t would
have been a cold stay for kraf-
chenko, but it is pointed out that an
overcoat might have been put there
crates.
K]rafchenko's Escape.
The escape of John Krafchenko, the
notorious Plum Coulee bandit, who
was held here on the charge Of hav-
ing murdered r. M. Arnold, bank
manager at Plum Coulee, Man, is con-
sidered one Of the most remarkable in
the history of Canadian police annals.
The two officers from whom he
made his escape are declared by the
department to be above suspicion and
ling criminals. That the bandit had
outside assistance and that every
move was carefully planned, is the
conviction Of the authorities. A re-
ward of $1,000 has been offered by the
attorney generals Office for the cap
ture of the bandit and $4,000 for the
arrest Of his a~ceomplices.
Following a day in court, at the
close OF which he was committed on
the charge Of murder. the desperate,
cool and Indifferent, even laughing at
different times during the hearing,
was led to his cell in the police sta
ton. He was taken to what is known
as THE Old Kitchen, and it was here
that he made his sensational and sue
cessful dash for liberty.
Two men were placed on guard but
in some way Krafchenko had secured
Ian automatic revolver, presumably
from friends n holding the revolver
at the heads Of the guards, backed to
the window. -. '.
Krafchenko. also had been provided
with a rope by friends, and swung out
Of the window and dropped to the
lane, sorne twelve or fourteen feet be-
low.
Seen on the Outside.
The escaping man was first seen on
the outside by James Thomlinson,
who quickly spread the alarm, but in
the few minutes which had elapsed
AN Hou SSAAAPlChSAy u1Sdp"
peared.t
On Louise street, on the sidewalk
close to the wall, are heavy marks
where he fell and was seen by the
Waterman. 49,, .
Auto Used in Escape.
Close in to the curb are the marks
of a new diamond motor type, which
became fainter on the north, where
they cross an open space Of asphalt.
1t was clear that an auto drove up
from the north and that Krafchenko
ran to. meet it.
Throttle Thrown Full On.
For a couple Of yards farther along
Louise street there are clear mark
ings Of where the throttle Of the en-
CINE was opened and the wheels spun
in getting up speed,
Thence the wheel tracks kept close
to the curb until the speeding car
turned into Louise street before
swinging around to the right into
James street, and soon into Main
| street.
1t is curious that the markings of
the tire were so distinct outside the
police station, and those of the COM
ing car should vanish before arrival
| there, making it impossible to say
! whence it came, but that it was pre-
| arranged to assist in the escape is
certain.
The first general news Of the escape
Of Krafchenko was when all automo.
biles ON Main street were held I'D by
= the police and searched. The news
soon spread and the town district:
were soon in great excitement.
Had Taken Precautions.
arms were evidently given Kraf
chenko by outside friends. Also, h,
was provided with a rope. After he
Ing committed in the evening. Kraf
chenko was confined in a room on tn,
second floor Of the building used sole
Nv as q room for the detention of Dris
oners, with two men, members OF tn,
police, placed in the room with tn,
prisoner.
THE guards were suddenly con
fronted with a revolver in Krafchen
o hands, n the prisoner backed t
the window swung out to h Ian
below. The constables in charge hal
completed a round Of the building blu
a half hour before and found every
thing In good order"
Crime Sensational.
The murder and robbery for whic
Krafchenko had just been comlnittei
for. trial occurred at Plum .Coulee
Man, Dec. 8, Mgr. Ell. I'll. ARNOLD j
the Bank Of, Montreal branch bein
the victim
The arrest of the murderer wa eff
Elected 'Toec. 10. In a north Winnipe
boarding house, where he was locate
ana surrounded by the police. Al larg
amount OF stolen money vas recover
ed.
Krafchenko early doubted that G II
would ever be convicted of til
charge and throughout his nrelim
inary trial he retained a aonchaEar
ed fer trial.