The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-08-15
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along a road near here when they
were accosted by three men in d
small machine. As soon as the
Hances stepped out of their car,
the shots rang out, Mrs. Hance
dropping, a bullet in her head,
and Hance sprang at the three
men, graphing with one, sup
posedly Anderson.
Finally Hance broke and ran
and was Ieaping over a fence into
a cornfield when one of the vol.
leys of bullets fired at him brought
him down.
Farmer Was Witness
Charles Cromer, q farmer. was
the only witness to the shooting
and it was from him the police got
the story of Anderson's revenge
for the Switching" that resulted
in Gerald Chapman's capture.
Only a few words were passed
between the Hances and the trio
that accosted them, Cromer said,
but he overheard none Of the con-
versation. Police were inclined to
believe that Anderson and his two
companions framed the meeting
at the lonely spot on the road where
the shooting took place.
Anderson was convicted with
Chapman OF a million dollar mail
robbery In New York and escaped
from the Atlanta prison after
Chapman had made his spectacu-
lar dash for freedom.
Neighbors of the Hances told
police today that Mrs. Hance has
lived in constant fear Of violence
at the hands of Chapman or mem
bers Of his gang.
Did Not Attend Trial
Ben told the police where they
could find Chapman and ever since
then I have known that we would
both be murdered some day." Mrs.
Hance Is said to have often told
her neighbors.
When Hance went to Hartford.
Conn, to testify at the trial which
resulted in Chapman's conviction
and death sentence, Mrs. Hance
remained at home.
'I know If go viii be killed
on the streets OF Hartford or on
the witness stand" she was said
to have declared.
Police officials declared today
that time and again while her
husband was away on. business
trips, Mrs. Hance would call head
quarters and urgently request po-
lice protection.
81 know my home is being
watched all the Time she told
Chapman Cursed Him
Damn the man who turned me
up for blood money" Chapman
said when he was captured early
this year by Muncie police after
Hance had told them of the where
abouts of the prince of bandits"
Even in his dying moments
Hance held his wierd fear Of Chap
man. When authorities reached
the scene OF the shooting and asked
Hance to identify his assailants,
he gaspel:
He stayed at my home. I told
on him. They shot mechanics
Wolf and George Anderson"
Did you know Gerald Chap
man?" one Of the officers asked
Don't ask me-" Hance replied.
A few minutes later he was dead.
Wolf continued today to doggedly
deny any knowledge OF the shooting
despite the fact that Hance Inn
plicated him.
Muncie police today admitted they
had known for several days that
Anderson was in the vicinity and
his capture had been carefully
planned when the shooting occurred.
Police authorities held the belief
that-Hence had damaging evidence
OF the Chapman gangs activities
and this. they said, prsbably had
some influence In the double killing.
Revenge Main Motive
The impelling motive behind the
shooting, however, they declared,
was Anderson's burning desire to
revenge his pal" Chapman, by
killing the persons responsible for
his present predicament.
From his cell in the county Jail
today Wolf, held under bond of
100000, denied vehemently that he
was withAnderson when the Hances
were killed.
Marshal Booher. OF MiddIetown.
Ind, the first officer to reach tho
scene Of the shooting, declared that