The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-24
TWO OFFICERS SLAIN
BY DESPERATE THUGS
One of the Desperadoes Captured Be-
cause He Had One Leg Broken,
and Posses are Searching Near
Elmira, N. Y. For the Other.

Elmira, N. ", March 24.-Chief of
Police John J. Finnell and Detective
Sergeant Charles Gradwell were shot and
instantly killed in room in local
boarding house where they had gone late
yesterday afternoon to question Edward
Westervelt and Jack" Cramer concern
ing a series of recent burglaries in this
city. Both officers were shot through
the head and their bodies were found
lying side by side on the floor of the
room when Police Captain Elyin Weaver
burst through a window few minutes
later. A woman in the house, hearing
shots. had notified police headquarters,
only a few doors away and the captain
went to investigate.
After the shooting both men escaped
through the window to an alleyway, but
in doing so Westervelt sustained a bro
ken leg. and was captured short time
later in the cellarway of a nearby church.
Cramer made good his escape and every
available policeman and many citizens
on foot and in automobile were immedi
ately securing the vicinity for a clue
to his whereabouts.
Elmira is in a high state Of excite
ment over the shooting and fears are
held that if Cramer is captured his life
will be in danger. Justice Mccain Of
the supreme court early last evening
issued an order calling out the local
militia for an emergency.
For the past week or more Elmira
had been stirred by a series OF daring
burglaries and the police had been work
ing energetically TO round up the gull
" parties. They had reason to suspect
the two roomers in a Baldwin street
rooming house, and had previously ques-
toned the men concerning their action
Of recent date Late yesterday after
noon Finnell and Detective Gradwell
paid another visit 10 the house. The Off
GERS entered the room and found the
two men they were seeking. One of the
officers said: Come on over 20 head
quarters, we want TO search YOU"
Westeryelt tells the following story Of
what then occurred:
Jack said. You won't search me- and
made q dive for the window. One Of
tie bulls caught me by the leg and
twisted ID. I had 70 lay down on the
aoor. Il hurt 30. While ] was on the
aoor Jack opens on en-. Honest 20
tod. ! didn't 90 the shooting. Jack
done Il.
"He made for the window and left
me on the hoor III turn stool on him
for leaying me alone. ] climbed out of
the window and crnwled about 4 block,
but mv leg was broken and J could not
get away.
tive served time for burglary before.
Z pot ont 81 Railway prison about five
wears AGO ! Na= eiasp8 out of Pater-
son. y. ". bacsusc IL staycd there
would have been arrested for lot
~ ials ] did not d..
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