The Bowbells tribune. [volume] (Bowbells, Ward Co., N.D.) 1899-1969, 1918-05-03

The people of Bowbells and vi.
cinity were considerably shocked
last Saturday morning to learn OF
the death Of Pat Devancy, former
ly prominent resident farmer of
Clayton township, but who during
the past two years had been living
at Minot. Mr.. Devaney, who was
employed as night policeman at the
Magic City. as we'll as Special Of
f1cer Kersey GOWN of the same city.
were deliberately murdered by auto
tire bandits short distance out of
Minot last Friday night at j., about
eleven o'clock. Mr.. Devaney was
killed instantly, having been shot
through the right breast, and Officer
GOWN was hit twice, one bullet en-
tering his abdomen, and passed out
through his right hip, and the 9TH
er entered his breast and came out
near the shoulder blade.
Bandits Shoot on Sight
Considerable auto tire thieving
had been going on in the various
towns in this section Of the state
for some weeks, and the police Of
ficers everywhere were keeping a
close lookout for the criminals: The
clue to the whole affair was given
by Chaneey Jones, farmer living
near the scene OF the shooting, who
came to Minot last Friday night and
reported seeing the bandits hiding
the booty near his farm, and re-
quested the police to 60 to the spot.
Officer Devaney Immediately ar
ranged to depart with Mr.. Jones,
and Kersey GOWN, who was at the
station at the time, volunteered to
assist in the arrest. They were
driven to the place Of hiding by
Mr.. Jones, leaving the automobile
by the roadside, the three men start
ed across the field to where Jones
had previously located the men.
Nearing the spot, with Gown in the
lead, they came suddenly upon the
bandits. GOWN spoke frat, salut-
ing the men in friendly manner,
Hello boys, what are you doing
here?" No reply in words came
from the bandits, but they imme-
diately5 opened fire, the first shot
striking GOWN in the abdomen and
the second in the breast, and the
third shot hitting Devaney in the
right breast and instantly killing
him. Jones dropped to the ground
at the sound of the first shot and
crawled into the darkness Will,
several shots were fired in his dir:
ection, but none took effect The
robbers fed to waiting automo.
bile, and after they reached a few
yards distance, GOWN called TO
Jones and asked to be rushed to a
hospital. It was discovered by
Jones that Devaney was dead, so ne
assisted GOWN into the automobile
and Immediately brought him to Il
hospital at Minot, where he dial
three hours later.
Four Suspects Arrested
About three hours after the
shooting took place ]. E, Shirley
and his room mate opal" C. N Tick
nor were taken in custody at the
Rex hotel at Minot, Later Satur>
day morning. two other suspects
were placed under arrest and lodg-
ed in Jail. They are Red Parriott,
a bootlegger. and young man
giving his name as A, L. Buck.
All Took Part in Robberies
All men arrested have admitted
that they participated in the Bur-
lington and Berwick robberias Of
recent date, in which several hun
dred dollars worth of automobile
tires were stolen and were hidden
near Minot, and every
one of the men have told their part
in the robberies, all Of course claim
ing alibis as far as the shooting was
At the coroner's inquest a ver-
dict was returned by the jury