THE ESCAPEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 42, 8 February 1908, Page 3

THE ESCAPEE.

HOW THOMPSON WAS CAUGHT. Thompson, the escaped pri-nner, was 1 brought to Hawera yesterday morning by Warders Downs and Kichardaon, and was brought to New Plymouth by the eleven o'clock trainWarder Downs informed a Star reporter that the search had been the most trying experience of his life. As soon an tie gained information as to the direction in which the prisoner had gone he followed in hot pursuit. He did not make a practice of staying at the townships through which Thompson wa.s reported to have gone, hut n;cil to go about six miles Uyond ami make fre-h enquiries after the escapee. What Warder Downs considered to be instrumental in effecting the recapture of the prisoner was the finding byThompson of a Maori on the road to the mountain with his head split open. The pri-nner had evidently received such a shock when he came acro s s the native's body on the road, as he rushed back ami gave information. When asked where hj" would be found in the evcilf of his | evidence being repaired at the inquest. ! tiie prisoner -aid lie wa- living at ! liahotu. and could be found 'here at/ anv time.

Warder Downs -ji.l a Imy who had 1 heard Thompson make the statement re- ' piriiing the finding of the Maori gave [ an eicellent description of Thomp-on. i and al-o «tated tin- direction in which I he had gone. | On Thursday Constable Hickman, of : Opunakc, and" Warder Downs received word that the ewapce was at Reilly's camp, not far from Manaia. Arriving there aliout 715 in the evening thev decided to rush the camp. Warderf Downs when he got within a few yards of the camp, saw the prisoner, and presenting hi- revolver called "Hands up!'' The prisoner throw up his hands and said 'l'll come." Constable Hickman ihen adjusted the handcuff?. The complaint is made that as the recaptured prisoner was being taken awav from the camp the men working I there jeered at Warder Down*. TV prisoner stated that had he pot t.i Muiaia he would never hare been I .-aught, as h e has a number of friends I there who would have supplied him with | food. It was his intention to stay in i the bush for 12 mouths.