HUGHES THE FREEMANTLE MURDERER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2361, 27 August 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

HUGHES THE FREEMANTLE MURDERER.

Our Perth correspondent, writing on July (ith, says News reached Perth on Saturday that the notorious Hughes had at last been captured. For 11 weeks, since he shot the policeman O’Connell, this young man has baffled all the efforts of the large bodies of police sent out to apprehend him, his attitude having been one of astounding daring and defiance. He has never quitted the immediate neighbourhood of Perth. Freemautle, and the Canning. Constantly he has shown himself at night in the very streets of the capital. Twice he has exchanged shots with his pursuers, who have never left his tracks, but whom he has .always contrived to evade, showing an endurance, a resource, a pluck, an energy, aud a magnificent hiishinauship which have had the effect of winning for him the positive sympathy, aud even admiration, among the numerous sections of the public who allow natural impulse to override good judgment. During the latter part of last week the police had pressed Hughes hard, having several times come upon his nests still warm, and on Saturday afternoon Corporal Hogan, with Constables Geo and O’Leary aud the native trackers, discovered his swag in a paddock near Freemautle, Constable Gee, a young fellow who has lately joined the force, made for the brow of an adjacent sandhill, and, seeing Hughes in the near distance, galloped straight up to him in the pluckiest style, narrowly escaping the shots which the fugitive rained upon him. Arrived close to the tree behind which Hughes had taken shelter. Gee threw himself off his horse, and, seeking a position behind a sappliug, thence opened fire upon the desperate man whose attention was now distracted by the appearance upon the scene of Hogan aud O’Leary. Before long one of Gee's shots took effect in the fleshy part of Hughes’ thigh, and he threw up his hands and surrendered. The police party escaped unhurt, barring a bullet graze on O’Leary’s wrist, and they at once conveyed their prisoner to Freemantle, where Dr Barnett attended to his wound, which was slight and is now rapidly healing. The doctor describes Hughes physique as magnificent, his muscles like knotted cords, and his condition perfect. The unfortunate man will be brought up at the Freemantle Court-house probably before the end of the week.