MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 828, 28 February 1903, Page 2

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT MYSTERY,

There was a remarkable case of mistaken identity during Wednesday night. It was roported early on Thursday morning that tho unfortunate prisoner Webster had escaped from custody, after a sudden and effective attack upon a constable. But boforo 11 o’clock on Wednesday evoning a man sparsely clothod was seen by a number of peoplo, who stated tkoir conviction that it was tho prisoner Webster. Some of thoso who saw the individual that was out in the earlior part of the evening called at the Times office giving information to that effect, and expressing their belief that it was Webster.

As Webster did not escape until about 3 a.m. on Thursday, it stands to reason that the man seen on Wednesday night could not have been him, but to show how a case of mistaken identity might occur we may mention a few instances. Mr B. Boyle states that at ten minutes to eleven be went to the Beeord Beign Hotel to see if he could obtain lodging for the night. He 'then came to the door and was joined by several others. Whilst chattiDg there they noticed a man barefooted, with a grey shawl or blanket across his shoulders, pass by. One of tho party said, “ That bloke looks like a ghost,” and another remarked “ That’s no ghost, that is Billy Webster.” The man with the blanket on said “ Good night ” as he passed by. On tearing next day that Webster had escaped Boylo went to the police station to report what he had seen.

Thomas MeCoomb, cab proprietor, also saw the strange individual, and informed people that it was Webster. In fact, ho felt quite positive about the matter, and believed that the unfortunate man had been set at liberty. Mr MeCoomb, interviewed by a Times representative, stated: “ I was returning from Victoria Domain at 10.30 p.m., and when passing under the lamp at Carnarvon street I saw a man coming towards me. He bad very little clothes on. He had a dark grey shawl over his shoulders, and a singlet on. As he came under the lamp he'threw open his arms, and I could plainly see the singlet. He met me at the centre of the )crossiDg, and I said 1 Good night.' The man, whom I recognised as Webster, made a sort of mumbling reply. I had a good view of his face as he came under the light, and was sure that he was the man Webster who had been locked up. The man walked down Carnarvon street, and I followed on the other side of the road. I

watched the man go up Gladstone road, and finally lost sight of him in the shade of the poplars. When I arrived at Palmerston road 1 met Mr H. Bruce, and I told him of the affair. He said to me, ‘ Why did you not report the matter to the police? and I replied, ‘ Because I do not wish to be mixed up in these affairs.’ To the best of my knowledge and belief, the man I saw was William Webster, whom I have known for the last eighteen months. Mr F. Jcune was reported as one who had stated that he had seen Webster at half-past ten on Wednesday night, but he explains that he was not positive as to the identity of the man as he did not get a good view of his face. Mr Jeune was standing at hi 3 gate when a man with no clothing but a dark shawl passed him and said good-night, to which greeting he responded. He knew Webster, and from the build of the maQ that passed him that evening he was of opinion that it was him.

Several other gentlemen living in upper Gladstone road have informed us that they saw a man with a shawl or blanket over him pass up the road on Wednesday evening, but they could say nothing as to the identity of the individual in question.

From the numerous statements received there is no doubt that a scantily clad man with a shawl or blanket over his shoulders was seen on the Wednesday evening between 10.30 and 11 o’clock, and that a number of people took the man to be Webster. The latter, however, would be impossible, as Webster did not escape from custody until after three o’clock on Thursday morning. The police were informed that an individual such as described was roaming about on Wednesday night, but they cannot understand how anyone could have mistaken the man for Websfcer t