The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1909-09-25 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

SENTENCED TO DEATH.  KILLS A POLICE OFFICER IN MONTREAL  News reached England on Monday that a man named John Dillon, formerly a member of the Irish Constabulary, had been sentenced to death for the murder of a Montreal constable.  The sentence passed on Dillon recalls a crime committed as long ago as April 6th last year, particulars of which were given at some length in the "Birkenhead News" of April 25th last year Shortly, the facts are these: On the after noon of April 6th, 1908, Constable O'Shaughnoisy, of the Montreal police force, accompanied by Constable Foucault, visited the lodgings of Dillon, who was living in Mancestreet, Montreal, under the name of James Smith, for the purpose of serving a warrant charging him with carrying a concealed weapon. The complainant was his landlady, Mrs. Pritchard.' On arriving at the house they found that Dillon was alone in the house and the officers asked Mrs. Pritchard to open the door. While waiting on the steps Dillon appeared at a window and without giving auy...hint tot Ids murderous intentions lifted a rifle to his shoulder and fired, shooting loissisult, in the heart His companion hauled him out of further danger mid later got him conveyed to the hospital. The firing roused the neighbourhood and within a few moments a large crowd of people collected. The main police office staff was informed of what had occurred and the officer in charge despatched four constables, including a fine young fellow named George Shea, to arrest Dillon. The officers approached the house and as Shea ran up the steps to open the door Dillon fired a shot through the glass panel, the bullet crashing through the glass, finally embedding itself in Shea a breast. With a cry he fell backwards and was picked up dead. Reinforcements were sent for. In the meantime the crowd surged close to the doors of the house and it took a hundred constables to clear the street. This was necessary as Dillon frequently showed himself at the windows of the house, threatening to use the gun upon the populace. Chief Detective Carpenter and a few picked constables, began a campaign to prevent Dillon doing further damage. For four hours he I kept the police at bay and it was then decided to fetch the fire brigade. Several mains were tapped and when the windows were smashed the water poured into the rooms. After playing on the lower windows Chief Detective Carpenter ordered the fire men to try the top windows and reached sup to break the glass with a stick. As he dl so Dillon again used his rifle and the Mief dropped with a charge of buck shot in his arm and side. After the officer was removed to the hospital several officers got into the house and later, when Dillon appeared at one of the windows he was made a target by several officers posted with revolvers. At ten minutes to ten Dillon again showed himself and simultaneously the revolvers of two officers cracked,. but it was uncertain whether their bullets hit Dillon or not. By means of a shaded lantern, however, he. was seen in the room on the floor, and without a moment's hesitation half a dozen officers sprang on to the balcony and scrambled into the room and secured their man, who was found to be in an unconscious condition. Amongs his effects were found papers stating that his real name was John Dillon, and that he had at one time served in the Cheshire Constabulary, being stationed at Neston, and later at New Ferry and Bebington. Other papers disclosed the fact that he entered the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1867 and after serving for seven yews resigned. While in Bebington he became :nixed up in a shooting affair which ultimately resulted in his leaving the countrY. This latter affair occurred in the early hours of the morning of October 23rd, 1880. Dillon, in going his rounds came upon a notorious character named Cash, near the Ism roost of Mr. T. A. Hope, who dyed at tlighcroft, Bebington. According to Dillon Cash attacked him and a fierce struggle ensued. Dillon pulled outs revolver" and" he stated, "fired a shot out into the field in order to frighten him off." Dillon afterwards fired again. Cash was sent for trial to Chester, but the trial was never heard as Dillon, in the meantime, left the country. Dillon was well known in the New Ferry district, where he was known as "the lady killer." There are many who will mall both the shooting affray at Bebington ' and Dillon, the main actor in the scene.