DESPERADOES FIGHT POLICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 324, 10 June 1911, Page 9

DESPERADOES FIGHT POLICE.

HAIL OF REVOLVER BULLETS. London, April 10. After ii fierce revolver duel with tho police, in circumstances vividly recalling tlie .Ndney street "siege," a murderer and liis companion were killed on Sunday at Ross berg, near Beutlien, Upper Silesia, a district devoted to the coalmining industry. Kowoll was wanted for foivr murders. His first victim was a night-watchman at a mine to which Kowoll had gone on a marauding expedition. He was shot dead. A fortnight later a policeman who attempted to arrest Kowoll shared the night-watchman's fate. The authorities offered €IOO for the capture of the murderer, and, urged by the hope of gaining the reward, a plucky locksmith Attempted to capture Kowoll. Again tho latters revolver came into play, and he had three lives to account for. A few days ago it was thought his capture was certain, a force of police having ascertained his whereabouts; hut he broke through the cordon, leaving u sergeant dead in his wake. On Sunday Kowoll and a friend named Walents sought shelter at a miner's cottage. where they were made welcome. The three drank a good deal, and Kowoll became talkative, and divulged the fact that lie hud murdered four people. He brandished his revolver, and swore he would never be taken alive. The miner was terrified when he found whom lie had been carousing with. He urged his guests to drink deeper. They willingly complied, and presently fell into a. drunken sleep. Then the miner stole out and informed the police teat Kowoll was at his house. bight ollicers proceeded y u , place, lint the men heard them enter. The first policeman to enter was savagely attacked by Walerus, who bit him severely. Then he rushed upstairs, mid the two desperadoes barricaded themselves in a front room. I'l'om cue window tliev opened a brisk revolver fire on the police, who replied, and tor a time there was a regular fusillade. Presently the lire from"the house slackened, and then ceased, and when the police entered they found Kowoll dead, his body riddled with bullets. Walerus was severely injured, and died a little later.

■Several polimuvn \v«;rt! injurou, but none mortally.