The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-25
polio {
LET HANOCUFFfO
MAN GET AWAY
Alleged forger Made His Escape
at Station Door
CALLED FOR OeC0Y LETTER
Fugitive Supposed to Be Charles
Gardner Charged With New
Hampshire Foraerlss

Rutland, July 26.--A daring escape
from two police officers and up t.
present successful getaway, eng
neered at the very door of the loca
lookup, under the street lights at tn
corner Of Washington street an
Merchants row. enlivened by /
of very exciting gunplay. disturb,
the monotony last night, and furnish
ed the local police department with
problem. The man, whose name =
supposed to be Frank Gardner HI
a former resident here, and who has
been stopping this week at the Ches
Johnson house, corner OF West
Main streets, was wanted for forge
Parties were detailed, at least d
ing the early hours OF the night.
watch for him, but at an early no,
this morning he had not been reca
tured. His escape Is more remar
able when 1t is considered that
got away from the two officers viii
handcuffed.
Hill, II such is his name. and tn.
fact could not be verified last nigh.
was arrested in the local postofii Oe
about $50 o'clock last night, when he
signed for and accepted a decoy let
ter from the Winchester. N. H. Ma
tional bank, which was supposed 10
have contained check for money,
but was in reality blank.
Special Police Officer James pitaai
clio made the arrest. which was
strenuously resisted by the forger.
six feet in height, and about 80 years
old. The officer and his man finally
found themselves in the street, and
Policeman T. c. Elworth went to
Pitaniello's relief.
Hill was loaded into the public au-
tomobile OF Earl Farr. and taken TO
the station. The officers were just
taking him from the machine, still
handcuffed, when he escaped. AS Of
fcer Pitaniello grasped him by the
arm he swung, knocking his captor
sidewise, and coming back with the
manacled arms and powerful bulk he
struck Officer Elworth. Both the po-
licemen were so astonished as to al
low their prisoner to get away. Al
though he fell once he darted with
great speed into the unlighted
freight yard just across the street.
Officer Pitaniello fi-ed at least nine
times at the fugitive, ball cartridge.
at first aiming for his feet but then
for that portion of his body which
looked the largest.
Officer Pitaniello Gays that in the
darkness of the freight yard he felt
a bullet go whizzing past his ear
and declares il came from the gun OF
the forger. Elworth and Pitaniello
pursued their man for some way into
the shadows Of the freight yard. but
could not locate him. or any sign OF
him. Other policemen later went in
TO the yard, but could not find him.
Residents on River street said tn,
man appeared on that thoroughfare
and late in the night he was reporte,
as being near the Tenney brook il
the north part of the city.
Chief of Police Jesse Young yester-
day received word from o. c. Cain OF
the keene, n. H., city government.
that a forger or his accomplice
would appear at the local postoffice
some time during the day to claim
registered letter from the Winches
ter National bank. addressed TO A;
thur d. Hall. This man was charge
by Mr.. Cain with forgery in Keen
and Winchester. Special officer Pit
aniello was on watch at the post
office, and when last night the lettCI
was claimed tho suspect was pointed
out, and the excitement began.